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Eisenhower explains his "domino theory"
Eisenhower believed that if one country, like Vietnam, fell to communism, then the surrounding countries would fall as well. This was his justification for entering and fighting in the Vietnam war. -
Geneva Accords
This conference split Vietnam into two zones by the 17th parallel. The northern zone was controlled by the communist rebels, while the southern portion was controlled by the State of Vietnam. -
Operation Rolling Thunder begins
Operation Rolling Thunder was the code name for the American bombing during the Vietnam War. The bombing were intended to put pressure on North Vietnamese troops and leaders. -
My Lai Massacre
U.S. troops were told to enter the village of My Lai to kill Vietcong soldiers. Instead, they ended up brutally torturing and murdering hundreds of innocent Vietnamese citizens. -
Vietnamization introduced
This was America's policy for slowly withdrawing troops from Vietnam. The goal was to slowly transfer responsibility for the war to the South Vietnamese government. -
Kent State shooting
Unarmed students at Kent State were protesting the bombing of Cambodia. The protest turned violent when 4 students were shot and killed by Ohio National Guard members. -
Fall of Saigon
The fall of Saigon happened when the South Vietnamese capitol of Saigon was taken over by the northern communist party. This marked the end of the Vietnam war and the unification of Vietnam as a united, communist country.
