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Japan Invades Vietnam
By occupying Vietnam, Tokyo hoped to close off China’s southern border and halt its supply of weapons and materials. The occupation of Vietnam also fit into Japan’s long term imperial plans.This was an important part of the plan for the Japanese because they were trying to prevent the Republic of China from importing arms and fuel through French Indochina along the Sino-Vietnamese Railway. - http://alphahistory.com/vietnamwar/japanese-occupation-of-vietnam/#sthash.YYZ7qPHv.dpuf -
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The United States drops an atomic bomb—the first to be used in warfare—on Hiroshima, killing 75,000 people instantly, and injuring more than 100,000. This was an event that is still relevant to this day. It was a horrific tragedy that is important to talk about in any history course in order to honor the lives that were lost on those days. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki -
Independent Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh declares an independent Vietnam, called the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Ho Chi was a member of the communist party, so when he declared Vietnam independent it started a large controversy between the North and South. This event was important to help describe why Vietnam later divided. http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/vietnam/index-1945.html -
Vietnam occupies the French
Vietnamese forces occupy the French command post at Dien Bien Phu and the French commander orders his troops to cease fire. The battle had lasted 55 days. The Vietnamese victory shattered France's resolve to carry on the war. This is an important event because although this had discouraged the French, another war would soon arise after this. It's interesting to see one problem being resolved while another is just beginning. http://alphahistory.com/vietnamwar/japanese-occupation-of-vietnam/ -
Vietnam Divided
France and Ho Chi Minh sign the Geneva Accords, in which Vietnam is to be divided at the seventeenth parallel until elections can be held in 1956 to reunify the country. The South Vietnamese government and the United States refuse to sign, though both promise to abide by the agreement.This event was of tremendous importance to the Vietnam War because this began to show who were allies and who were enemies. http://www.shmoop.com/vietnam-war/timeline.html -
Eisenhower Reelected
Dwight D. Eisenhower is reelected to a second term as President of the United States. Eisenhower had just began US involvement in the War. The U.S. believed in him and what he was doing for Vietnam so once he was reelected, he continued to work hard during the Vietnam War. His presidency was so important to understand because he was one of the key players during the Vietnam War. http://totallyhistory.com/us-history/vietnam-war/ -
JFK to Help South Vietnam
President John F. Kennedy orders more help for the South Vietnamese government in its war against the Vietcong guerrillas. U.S. backing includes new equipment and more than 3,000 military advisors and support personnel. This is important because this is one of the first major decisions that JFK made during the Vietnam War as leader. http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm -
Foreign Assistance Act of 1962
President Kennedy signs the Foreign Assistance Act of 1962 which provides "...military assistance to countries which are on the rim of the Communist world and under direct attack." This was important because it was made specifically to help countries that were under attack by communists. This was obviously geared towards helping South Vietnam since the North was considered to be communist. http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/vietnam/index-1945.html -
Diem Overthrown
With U.S. encouragement, South Vietnamese General Duong Van Minh overthrows the Diem regime, and the following day he orders the execution of Diem and his brother. General Duong's military rule is recognized by the United States.This was important to learn about in order to undertsand that now South Vietnam was fighting for their freedom by overthrowing Diem. Shortly after, the U.S. would soon arrive for aid. http://www.shmoop.com/vietnam-war/timeline.html -
US Arrives in Vietnam
The first U.S. combat units arrive in Vietnam. This marks the beginning of US involvement in the Vietnam War. This is a huge event that would last for around the next 15 years.
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First Mass Demonstration Against Vietnam
In the U.S., the first mass public demonstrations against American involvement in the war in Vietnam take place. This was the first time that citizens of the U.S. expressed their anger towards our troops being deployed there. http://totallyhistory.com/us-history/vietnam-war/ -
Tet Offensive
The North Vietnamese join forces with the Viet Cong to launch the Tet Offensive, attacking approximately one hundred South Vietnamese cities and towns. This was a very important event in the Vietnam War because it was showing that the U.S. was actually losing to North Vietnam. There were mass casualities involving the U.S. and Vietnam. http://www.shmoop.com/vietnam-war/timeline.html -
America's Longest War
The U.S. command in Vietnam announces that American battle deaths in the first six months of 1968 exceed the total in 1967.The war in Vietnam—its beginning marked by the first death of an American serviceman reported on 22 December 1961—becomes the longest war in American history. http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm -
Cambodia Invasion
In a nationally televised broadcast, President Nixon announces that American and South Vietnamese units have invaded Cambodia to destroy bases that have provided aid to the NLF. This was important because this was an attack on the North Vietnamese in an attempt to attack their supply lines. http://www.shmoop.com/vietnam-war/timeline.html -
Watergate
Five men are caught burglarizing the headquarters for the Democratic National Committee, located at the Watergate hotel in Washington, D.C. Their arrests will set into motion the events that will eventually result in President Nixon's resignation.The Watergate scandal was a very important event in American history especially during the Vietnam War because it threatened the basic legitimacy of the American political system. http://www.shmoop.com/vietnam-war/timeline.html -
Vietnam Ceasefire Signed
Representatives from South Vietnam, North Vietnam, and the United States sign a peace agreement in which a ceasefire is declared, the U.S. agrees to withdraw combat troops, and the government of South Vietnam promises to hold free elections to allow its people to decide their future. This event was so important to the end of the Vietnam War because after many years, finally U.S. troops are now allowed to be sent home. http://totallyhistory.com/us-history/vietnam-war/ -
End of Vietnam War
The Vietnam War is officially over for the United States. The last U.S. combat soldier leaves Vietnam, but military advisors and some Marines remain. Over 3 million Americans have served in the war, nearly 60,000 are dead, some 150,000 are wounded, and at least 1,000 are missing in action. The end is here! The year 1973 will forever hold the importance of being the year the Vietnam War finally ended. http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/vietnam/timeline.htm -
Nixon Rejected
The ceasefire in Vietnam is officially over. The U.S. Congress rejects President Nixon's request for increased military aid to South Vietnam. Nixon soon decideds to resign after this. http://www.shmoop.com/vietnam-war/timeline.html
