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Eisenhower Explains his domino theory
President Eisenhower's famous speech informed the public of his domino theory which stated that all of the countries on the brink of communism are like dominoes. If Vietnam were to fall to communism, then all of the domino countries would also be fated to a communist government and therefore US involvement in Vietnam is necessary. -
Geneva Accords
After the war between France and Vietnam, the Geneva Accords were created and stated that Vietnam would be split at the 17th parallel with the North being communist and the South was anti communist. Also, it stated that elections should be held in 1956 to unite the country. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
After the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was passed and gave President Johnson full access to US military powers without a formal declaration of war. -
Operation Rolling Thunder Begins
President Johnson sends 50,000 American troops to fight the Vietcong after the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. -
My Lai Massacre
American soldiers conducted a massacre of children and women in the city of My Lai which resulted in between 300-500 deaths. This information horrified the American public due to the brutality of American troops. -
The introducing of Vietnamization
In an attempt to appease the doves, President Nixon proposed he idea of Vietnamization in which American troops would slowly be pulled out from Vietnam while the South Vietnam army was better trained and could fend for themselves. Nixon claimed this would keep South Vietnam from falling to communism and also pull the US out of the war, but the doves were not happy as they wanted immediate US withdrawal. -
Kent State Massacre
Students in Kent State violently protested against he expansion of the Vietnam War so the governor of Ohio sent in the national guard. After shots were fired four students were dead and others were wounded.
