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Ho Chi Minh and the creation of the Viet Minh
An Indochinese organized militia that Ho Chi Minh headed in order to combat French Rule and later Japanese occupation. Fought attempted to overthrow the French Union in the first Indochina war. -
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First Indochina War
Military conflict between the Viet Minh and the French Union over the independence of the Indochina territories. Resulted in a victory for the Viet Minh and the establishment of an independent Vietnam. -
Establishment of US aid towards France
The US begins to aid its ally France in the First Indochina War despite anti-colonial sentiment in order to stop communist Viet Minh from controlling Vietnam. They provide training for new recruits as well as some supplies but do not deploy their own troops. -
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The Domino Theory
Political speculation that the establishment of communist rule over a country makes neighboring countries significantly more susceptible to falling to communist revolts. Used to justify US occupation and action against nations at risk of establishing communism. -
Geneva Accords
Peace treaty declaring the independence of Vietnam. Split the nation into two halves by the 17th parallel for two years before a leader and system of government would be democratically elected. -
First use of Agent Orange
Agent Orange was a manufactured chemiacl contaminant used by US troops to deplete the VC's food and water supply. It caused lasting genetic defects to both citizens of South Vietnam and to US soldiers. These genetic defects are still developing today through those people's offspring and persisting contamination. -
Assassination of Ngo Dinh Diệm
In South Vietnam, a coup was enacted against elected leader Ngo Dinh Diem, who had been enforcing catholic crusades particularly hostile toward South Vietnamese Buddhists. The US aided this coup which eventually assassinated Ngo Dinh Diem, leaving a huge power vacuum in South Vietnam that permanately crippled their future war effort. -
The Gulf of Tonkin Incident
A US intel destroyer was attacked unprovoked upon entering North Vietnamese waters within the Gulf of Tonkin. The US considered this an act of war and signed the Gulf of Tonkin resolution to appoint the president to escalate US involvement in Vietnam as he pleased. -
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Vietnamization
Richard Nixon's strategy to slowly withdraw troops from Vietnam to let South Vietnam take sole responsibility for the war effort. Ended when the last troops left vietnam in 1973, leaving the South Vietnamese without the aid they needed to keep fighting the war. -
The Tet Offensive
Viet Cong strategy to attack every major city in South Vietnam on Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, in which both parties had agreed to a cease-fire. Resulted in a terrible defeat for the VC, but television reports of the violence inflicted on Viet Cong soldiers influenced public opinion of the war on the homefront. -
My Lai Massacre
A search and destroy mission in which US troops massacred civilians in My Lai regardless of affiliation, age, or sex. Covered up from the public before getting exposed earlier than expected. Turning point in the war in terms of the US public's approval of the war from being mostly positive or neutral to being mostly negative. -
War Powers Act
US legislation passed by congress in order to limit the president's power to wage war. Required the president to inform congress of any troop mobilizations outside of US territory within 48 hours and demands withdrawal in at most 90 days in the absence of congressional approval. -
Fall of Saigon
The final battle of the Vietnam War in which South Vietnam was overtaken by North Vietnam, reuniting the Country as Vietnam under the Communist Party of Vietnam, as well as blessing China with a communist ally on its southern border.