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Eisenhower Presidency
President Dwight D. Eisenhower was president from January 20, 1953 to January 20, 1961. He dealt with Vietnam for 5 years and 2 months -
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Dien Bien Phu
Final engagement in the Indochina War. Dien Bien Phu Valley occupied by French forces. Viet Minh commander put troops and artillery in caves overlooking valley. Boosted by Chinese aid, commander mounted assaults on strong points, eliminating French airfield. Viet Minh overran base, making French government seek end to fighting by signing the Geneva Accords. When French are kicked out, U.S. takes their place in the fighting. -
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Geneva Accords
A turning point in the United States involvement in Vietnam. Countries present were U.S., U.S.S.R, People's Republic of China, F.R., and G.B. Talked about problems related to Asia, mainly the war between Vietnamese nationalist forces and the French who wanted to keep Vietnam a colony. Divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel for 2 years. Then they would reunite and have free elections. United States set up an anti communist government in the south, which would result in issues at the end of the time -
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Kennedy Presidency
President John F Kennedy was president from January 20, 1961 to November 22, 1963 when he was assassinated. He spent 2 years 11 months and 2 days dealing with the Vietnam War. -
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Johnson Presidency
President Lyndon B Johnson was President Kennedy's VP. He took office after Kennedy was assassinated. He was President from November 22, 1963 to January 20, 1969 -
Gulf of Tonkin
Drew U.S. more directly into war. 1st incident was that the USS Maddox was pursued by 3 North Vietnamese torpedo boats. Fired warning shots, then was attacked. Maddox claimed it was a sea battle.2nd incident was supposed to be another sea battle, but was actually "Tonkin Ghosts" (false radar images) -
Tonkin Resolution
This gave congressional approval to Johnson to expand military forces to North Vietnam. He was given approval after the US destroyer Maddox was under fire for days by Vietnamese torpedo boats. -
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Fulbright Commission
22 hearings which had testimonies and debates between several members of Congress, as well as from representatives from different pro-war and anti-war organizations. Fulbright was against the war. -
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Tet Offensive
70,000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong attacked 100 cities and towns in South Vietnam. Eroded public support for war. Victory for North Vietnamese marked turning point in war where U.S. started withdrawing from the region. -
My Lai Massacre
Mass killing of between 347 and 504 unarmed civilians in South Vietnam by American soldiers. High ranking officials covered it up for a year before a soldier heard about it, sparked international outrage, and caused investigation. 14 officers charged, only 1 convicted. -
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Nixon Presidency
President Richard Nixon won the election after Lyndon Johnson was President. He served as President from January 20,1969 to August 9, 1974 when he resigned, so he would not be impeached during the Watergate scandal -
Vietnamization
Gradual withdrawal of American forces from South Vietnam, while training/equipping South Vietnamese to take over responsibility for its own defense. -
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Invasion of Cambodia
13 major operations conducted. Objective of campaign was to was to defeat approximately 40,000 troops of North Vietnamese and Viet Cong armies. Change in government (Prince Sihanouk deposed and replaced with pro-U.S. general) allowed it to happen, as well as attack in response to North Vietnamese offensive that captured large parts of Eastern Cambodia.
A lot of Anti-War protests. Ken State Shooting (not pretty) -
Daniel Ellsburg
Strengthened public opposition to war by leaking secret documents from Pentagon to New York Times. Documents contained evidence that the government had mislead the public regarding involvement in war. -
Pentagon Papers
Name given to secret Department of Defense study of U.S. political and military involvement in Vietnam War. Daniel Ellsburg thought this info should be more known to the public, so he made photo copies of the papers and gave them to the New York Times. Tells about the Tonkin lie. People becomes cynical of government. -
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Christmas Bombing
After peace negotiations between U.S. and North Vietnam collapsed, Nixon and others drew up plan for retaliation.
Linebacker II: American B-52s and fighter bombs would be dropped over 20,000 tons of bombs on the cities of Hanoi and Haiphong. 1,600 civilians said to have been killed.
American people no like dis -
Paris Peace Accords
Peace treaty to end the war in Vietnam. Ended direct U.S. military combat and temporarily stopped fighting between North and South Vietnam. Cease fire between North and South. -
War Powers Act
Also known as the War Powers Resolution was passed on November 7, 1973. Was vetoed by President Nixon. It sought out to restrain the executive branch by making it report to the congress when it wanted to involve the forces in foreign hostilities. Nixon vetoed it, but congress still passed it. -
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Ford Presidency
President Gerald Ford was President from August 9,1974 to January 20, 1977. He was put into the Presidency after Nixon resigned, and because he was Nixon's VP. He is credited with ending the Vietnam War -
Fall of Saigon
Capture of Saigon, South Vietnamese capital, by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong,