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Vietminh defeat the French at Dien Bien Phu
In Northwest Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh fought to end the French reign over Indochina. After 57 days of war the French collapsed in Dien Bien Phu. -
Period: to
Vietnam War
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Geneva Accords
Representatives from world powers meet in Geneva to resolve problems in Asia. During this conference the Geneva Accords, a collection of documents relating to Indochina, were created along with the Geneva Agreements. -
Introduction of the B-52 Bomber and saturation bombing
Many Americans believed that the B-52 Bomber should be used to bomb Vietnam and destroy the country instead of continuing the war. The devastation of an area of land, such as Vietnam, is called saturation bombing. -
Buddhists protests of Diem
Buddhist monks would perform ritual suicides in a plea for the president to show charity and compassion to all religions. These rituals were performed by monks covering themselves with gasoline and being set on fire. -
Diem overthrown and assassinated
Diem and his brother were captured and killed by a group of soldiers. The assassination of Ngo Dihn Diem took place in South Vietnam and caused many to celebrate. His death also caused an outbreak of political chaos. -
President JFK is assassinated and Johnson takes office
President John F. Kennedy, age 46, was shot and killed by Harvey Oswald as the convertible in which JFK was riding in past the Texas School Book Depository Building. The vice president, Lyndon Johnson, became the 36th president after the incident. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
The North Vietnamese used torpedo boats to attack the USS Maddox in the Gulf of Tonkin. This attack marked the beginning of events that became known as the Tonkin Gulf Incident -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
The United States took all the measures it could in order to prevent another attack from happening. Congress passes a resolution that declared that we maintain international peace and security in Southeast Asia. This was in the best interest for America in order to keep world peace. -
First Teach In
The very first teach-in was conducted in Ann Arbor at the University of Michigan. All regular classes were cancelled and replaced with 12 hours of speeches and rallies. Members participated by holding anti-war seminars. -
Tet offensive
North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces launched a series of attacks on more than 100 cities and towns in South Vietnam. This series of attacks is known as the Tet offensive. The Tet offensive caused a heavy toll of causalities, but failed to start a rebellion in South Vietnam. -
My Lai
American soldiers brutally killed the majority of South Vietnamese in My Lai. This was one of the most brutal incidents against civilians during Vietnam. Americans had shot and killed between 300 and 507 unarmed men that day. -
Re-election of President Johnson
Johnson increased the United States involvement in the war. As we lost more people his popularity with his own party was lost. Johnson made a speech on national television announcing that he had decided not to run for president. -
President Johnson decides not to run for re-election
Lyndon Johnson declared he would not be running for re-election. Reasons behind this decision include his want to spend more time with his family and he was worried he would not make it to the end of his presidency with out being killed. Johnson discussed not running for re-election in 1967 but waited to announce it until 1968. -
Richard Nixon elected President
Richard Nixon became the 36th president in 1968. He previously served as a U.S. Representative in Congress and the Senate. -
Woodstock Festival
The Woodstock Festival was a pop culture music event. The festival became over crowded and chaotic. The Woodstock Music Festival became an icon in 1960's hippie culture. -
Policy of Vietnamization
Nixon created the Policy of Vietnamization in an attempt to end Americas involvement in the war. He tried to transfer all military responsibilities to South Vietnam. This policy was unpopular and created a split in American society. -
First draft lottery
Men were drafted to fill vacant spots in the army due to the lack of volunteers. In 1973, all drafts ended and the spots were filled purely by volunteers. -
Invasion of Cambodia
President Nixon declared on live television that American and South Vietnamese troops are going to invade Cambodia. Over past years there had been attacks on Cambodia, but the invasion had not been announced. -
Kent State Killings
The National Guard of Ohio attacked Kent State University. Twenty eight guards sat up on a hill and shot at students. Four students were killed and nine others were wounded. -
Peace agreement signed in Vietnam/American Withdrawal
Representatives from the US, South Vietnam, North Vietnam, and the Vietcong’s Provisional Revolutionary Government signed an agreement ending war and restoring peace to Vietnam. This agreement is known as the Paris Peace Accords. -
Cambodia falls to communism
The Khmer Rouge troops capture the Cambodian government and force surrender. Lon Nol and his army, the Forces Armees Nationale Khmer, and the US, fought with Khemer for control of Cambodia. These five years of fighting caused about 10 percent of Cambodias population to be killed. -
Saigon Falls
The outskirts of Saigon had been reached by the North Vietnamese army. Remaining Americans in Saigon were evacuated by helicopter. In order to avoid bloodshed, the President of South Vietnam handed over the power with no struggle. -
Vietnam Veterans Memorial dedicated
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial stands as a symbol recognizing the men and women who died and served in Vietnam. It is a symbol of America's honor and is located in Washington D.C.
