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Vietnam Declares Independence
This is the same day that the Japanes surrendered to the US. Ho Chi Minh made the announcement of independence. Ho's followers showed their commitment by fighting all foreign attempts to ruel Vietnam. -
The United StatesMilitary Aid to French Indochina
US military aid rose from 10 million dollars in 1950 to 100 million dollars in 1951. By 1954, the US was paying for 80% of the Indochina War. This was all part of the efforts to combat Communism and prevent it from spreading in Asia. -
Battle of Dien Bien Phu
The Viet Minh launched a suprise attack on a French military base in Dien Bien Phu. More than 12,000 French soldiers appeared ready to give up by April. If the French lost at Dien Bien Phu, they might be unable to continue war efforts in the region. -
Geneva Accords
This agreement allowed the fight to stop and Vietnam to divide along the 17th parallel. The French moved south of the parallel and the Viet Minh moved north. This agreement was signed by the Vietnamese and the French. -
The Gulf of Tonkin Incidents
South Vietnamese speedboats fired machine guns and torpedoes at an US destroyer. Two days later, the Americans thought their destroyer was under attack again and fired torpedoes. This resulted in air strikes being approved in the Gulf of Tonkin. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
The resolution allowed the president to take all necessary measues to repel any armed attack against the forces of the US and to prevent further aggresion. It wasn't a legal declaration of war. -
Doves Argue against involvement
Advocated peaceful solutions in Vietnam through negotiations and compromise. They believed escalating the war wouldn't garauntee victory. They also guessed that it would be difficult to launch a war campaign in unfamiliar tropical territory. -
Hawks Argue For Involvement
They argued for LBJ and belived in furter escalating the war. They stressed American credibility, meaning they need the action to support their words. -
American War
The US took over the main responsibilities for fighting the war in Vietnam. The US soldiers launched two pronged attacks, taking over crucial sites along the coast and launch seek-and-destroy missions against Viet Cong. The South Vietnamese soon took a secondary role in the war. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
Bombing raids carried out by the Viet Cong on US air bases resulted in Operation Rolling Thunder. This operation was a bunch of massive air strikes carried out mostly to boost South Vietnamese morale. US air strikes also began to target Ho Chi Minh trail. -
American Troops Arrive in Vietnam
About 3,500 American troops waded ashore a beach near Da Nang, South Vietnam, marking the first time ever American troops set foot on Vietnam soil. These soldiers' jobs were to defend air bases in which bombers for Rolling Thunder were located, but soon they switched to combat mode directly against the Viet Cong. -
Operation Satarlite
This was the first big assault by US ground troops. 1,500 Viet Cong were prepared to launch an attack on an US airbase and US marines arrived at the battle site supported by tanks and planes. The marines defeated the Viet Cong in a battle resulting in 600 Viet Cong death, 45 US casualties.