Vietnam War

Japan Surrenders to Allies

Sep 2, 1945

Japan surrenders to the Allies, causing them to give up control of Indochina. Vietnam then declares its independence, however, France wanted to keep their colony within Vietnam which caused fighting between the two Countries. France then calls for the United States help even though the U.S. is against colonialism. This is economic as France wanted to keep its natural resources that provided wealth.

South Vietnam

1954

After the French were defeated in Vietnam, the Geneva Accords divided Vietnam into two separate states along the 17th parallel. This division was political as South Vietnam was non-communistic as opposed to North Vietnam. The U.S. ultimately became the protectors of South Vietnam to prevent the spread of communism.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident

Aug 2, 1964

This was a military confrontation between the U.S. and North Vietnam when U.S. naval vessels were attacked, which led to an escalation of military actions by the U.S. in Vietnam. This was military as it created the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, essentially stating that the U.S. must take all actions necessary to defend any U.S. force. Vietcong eventually attacked where Americans were stationed in South Vietnam leading the U.S. to bomb Vietnam with an aircraft.

Tet Offensive

1968

This was a large-scale military operation by North Vietnam and Vietcong forces which aimed to achieve large military gains as they surprised U.S. and South Vietnam forces during a holiday known as Tet. More than a hundred cities and towns were destroyed in South Vietnam in the communists goals to overrun key strategic outposts. This event was extremely military driven as it drew the communists closer to a military victory and led the U.S. to review their own military actions.

My Lai Massacre

1968

This was a military operation originally until it became more political, when American troops killed hundred of unarmed Vietnamese civilians in the village of My Lai. This became a political and moral dilemma over the effects of war and maintaining human rights.

Kent State Shootings

1970

President Nixon announced that U.S. forces had entered Cambodia to destroy Vietcong bases, however, many believed this only made the war worse. This started an up-rise in protests especially in Ohio where the National Guard was forced to convene. This was politically and military as it were protests against the war but then led to the involvement of military forces which led to the shooting of unarmed student demonstrators.

Fall of Saigon

1975

This was political and military as it marked the defeat of South Vietnam and marked the end of the Vietnam war. The U.S. evacuated themselves and Vietnamese people to the U.S. of who had been highly affiliated with the South Vietnamese government. This also led to a large wave of immigrants from Vietnam and other countries like Cambodia who were oppressed by communism to the United States.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

1988

This memorial was built to remember those who died or were lost in action during the Vietnam war. It allows for people to come and touch the names of those they've lost creating a very emotional experience.