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Politburo Meeting
Viet Cong; "The People's Liberation Armed Forces" was formed after the Politburo meeting "as a way to escalate the level of military struggle in South Vietnam" (Duiker 141). This is signigicant because this was the first Vietname uprising against the French.
Duiker, William J. Sacred War: Nationalism and Revolution in a Divided Vietnam. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1995. Print. -
DeGaulle Plan
The President of France, Charles deGaulle, "proposed the neutralization of South Vietnam based on a U.S. withdrawal and economic and cultural exchanges between north and south for a political settlement" (Herring 121). This is significant because DeGaulle wanted to push America out of the war, but Kennedy saw through his plan.
Herring, George C. America's Longest War: The United States and Vietnam, 1950-1975. New York: Wiley, 1979. Print. -
Battle of Ap Bac
This involved the PLAF, ARVN, and U.S. forces. Here the PLAF learned how to "defeat the helicopter" (Herring 157). This event is significant because it involved the first American casualties. -
Buddhist Crisis
Diem government shot at a protesting crowd. The citizens were angry that they were outlawed from displaying "flags on the anniversary of Buddha's birth" (Herring 114). This is significant because this was seen as a "call to rebellion" which caused students, Catholics, and even the army to join in the march to religious freedom. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Due to the Gulf of Tonkin assumed enemy target on the Maddox the President went to Congress and requested a congressional resolution authorizing him to take "all necessary measure to repel any armed attacks against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression"(Herring 144). The resolution also allowed the President to appeal to the American public for support in the war. The resolution was the offical entry of the United States into the Vietnam conflict. -
National Security Council Actions Memorandum 273
The United States would not let South Vietnam go the way China had to the communists. This event is significant because the NASM 273 places it into policy affirming the "people and Government of South Vietnam to win their contest against the externally directed and supported communist conspiracy" (Herring 132). -
Battle of Gia Binh
"PLAF regiments attacked the village of Binh Gia, a Catholic community. South Vietnamese took on heavy casualties, 200 dead and several downed helicopters. The military forcers were forced to withdrawal. This battle demonstrated the rising capability of the PLAF to successfully cope with the enemy's mobile warfare" (Duiker 169). -
My Lai Massacre
William Calley was the officer in charge during the My Lai massacre and was found guilty of 22 murders and sentenced to life in prison. Nixon personally became involved in the trail and odered Calley to be released while he was waiting on his appeal, Nixon stated that he would personally review the conviction. This and the Watergate incident let to the eventual impeachment of Nixon. -
Kent State University and Jackson State University
In response to the bombings in Cambodia students at the Kent State University began to protest against the war. National Guard unites were called in to help suppress student protesters against the war resulting in four students being killed by the National Guard. At Jackson State University two other students were killed in anti-war protest demonstrations. Nixon then agreed to pull all US forces from Cambodia. -
The Easter Offensive
"On March 30 through October 22, 1972 the military campaign by the PAVN against the ARVN and the US. It was the largest type campaign and was a drastic change in events from the past North Vietnamese offense attacks. The north meant to win the war as well as gain more territory and destroy southern units at the same time" (Herring 304-308). -
Paris Peace Accords
The Paris Peace Accords of 1973 was viewed as nothing more than a way for France to take Saigon once the US did their part of the agreement which was to immediatley halt all military activities and withdraw all remaining military personnel within 60 days of the accord. -
Khmer Rouge
"Cambodia fell before South Vietnam, ending a peculiarly brutal war and initianting a period of enormous cruelty. Between 1970 and 1973, the US had spent over $400 million in support of Lon Nol's goverment and army, and heavy bombing continued until congress legislated its end in Aug 1973. In 6 months of 1973, the bombing exceeded 250,000 tons, more than was dropped on Japan in all of WWII... The government collapes in mid-April, and the Khmer Rouge took over the capital on April 17" (Herring). -
Pol Pot
"Vietnam invaded Cambodia in 1978 and drove out Pol Pot and established a puppet regime. China retaliated by invading Vietnam, provoking a short and inconclusive war. The United States had been sending aid to the Pol Pot regime and therefore was aiding China which they had been trying to avoid during the entire Vietnam War" (Herring 342).
