Vietnam War 1954 to 1980

Battle of Dien Bien Phu

May 7, 1954

Prior to this point, Vietnam had a French and Japanese presence. Ho Chi Minh, Vietnamese communist, establishes Viet Minh to rid country of this presence. After the battle of Dien Bien Phu, the French seek an exit of the country via peaceful fire decided at the Geneva Conference in 1954. This resulted in French leaving and the division at the 17th parallel. Vietnam was split into north, communist, and south, non communist. This transition prompts the United States involvement.

Democratic election of Ngo Dinh Diem

Oct 23, 1955

In attempted to unite the country, a democratic election was held. United States was invested in the outcomes of this election in fear that the communist might be elected into office. At the time, the United States believed in a domino theory, suggesting that communist nations spread quickly in this area. Therefore, the US felt the need to stop the spread of communism by assisting a non communist aligned official.

Viet Cong

Dec 1, 1960

The Viet Cong, or the National Liberation Front, was established. This group had the intent to get American influence out of the country, to unite the country, and to spread communism ideals. North Vietnam pushes south. The Viet Cong, established in South Vietnam, fight the South Vietnamese Army.

Ngo Dinh Diem assasination

Nov 2, 1963

Due to difficulty reasoning with Diem, the United States thought it would be better to have someone else in office. A group began to take over, with US blessing, not understanding Diem would be murdered. President John F. Kennedy was unaware Diem would be killed. This assassination led to a unstable government and the aid of more US advice and support.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident

Aug 2, 1964

USS Maddox was fired upon in the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. This incident led to Congress giving president Lyndon B. Johnson the right to give military support to the region.

US troops in Vietnam

Mar 1, 1965

Attacks on US bases increase. 3,500 marines sent in to support South Vietnamese and US interest. They were set as a defense, rather than offensive. By the end of the year of 1965, over 200,000 soldiers deployed to the region.

US Troops verse the Viet Cong

May 1, 1966

Troops numbers increased to 400,000. In 1967, they were up to 500,000. Fighting was very difficult for Americans. Viet Cong used tunnels, the jungle, and unfamiliar tactics that frustrated and took American troops by surprise. Americans soldiers had low morale.

Tet Offensive

Jan 30, 1968

North Vietnam and Viet Cong surprise attack South Vietnamese and US positions. Even though the attack was repelled, it received poor support from the US public. It showed a stronger than expected enemy and high casualty rate. President Johnson decides to not pursue more war effort in the region and to pull back.

President Nixon wants Peace

Jul 1, 1969

President Nixon comes up with a plan to pull troops out of the region and turn over the fighting to the South Vietnamese. He also expands the war into Cambodia and Laos.

Easter Offensive

Mar 30, 1972

Just as American troops left the area, North Vietnam crossed the 17th parallel and invaded South Vietnam.

Paris Peace talks

Jan 27, 1973

Peace talks ended and US troops were fully pulled from region. By March of 1975, US left a weak South Vietnam to stand up to the North.

President Ford

Apr 23, 1975

President Ford announces to American public the end of the Vietnam war and US involvement in the region.

Surrender

Apr 30, 1975

After the US pull out, South Vietnam was invaded by the North and had to surrender. The city of Saigon was surrounded by 100,000 North Vietnamese soldiers. Persons, US and civilians had to be evacuated.

Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Jul 2, 1976

Vietnam was reunited as a communist country after President Duong Van Minh surrenders.

Refugees

Aug 1, 1976

Saigon is claimed by Socialist Republic of Vietnam and called Ho Chi Minh City. Many refugees of war are forced to flee.

Cambodia

Jan 1, 1979

Vietnam invades Cambodia and removed Pol Pot, who killed many of the Cambodian population. This led the Chinese to attack from the north.

References

May 28, 2014

Rossenburg, J. (2014). Vietnam War. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamwar.htm Vietnam Profile (15 May, 2014). BBC News. Retrieved from: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-16568035 Vietnam War. (2014, May 27). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 22:47, May 28, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vietnam_War&oldid=610396466 All images retrieved from google images via creative commons.