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Domino Theory coined- Eisenhower - inlight of Vietnam
The Domino Theory follows the idea that if a country falls to Communism, then the countries that are directly adjacent to that country are more likely to fall as well. This theory was established by Dwight Eisenhower. This theory would be proven correct because after Vietnam fell, Laos and Cambodia did as well. -
Geneva Accords
This agreement established a cease-fire along the 17th parallel. This was used as a means to settle disputes after the Korean War. It temporarily set up North and South Vietnamese territories. Americas participation in the Geneva Accords marked a shift in their involvement in the war. -
Assassination of Diem
Ngô Đình Diệm was the South Vietnamese president until his assassination in 1963. He was known a a very corrupt politician and his assassination was orchistrated by a coup set it place by the U.S government. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
This resolution authorized LBJ to take all needed measures to stop the Communist Vietnamese from attacking US interests. This resolution began after an alleged attack on a US ship of the coast of Vietnam. -
LBJ ordered 1st troops to Vietnam
The first US troops to arrive in Vietnam were Marines on the beaches of Danang. They were sent there in order to defend an airbase that was being used by the US and South Vietnamese forces to dispatch bombing runs. -
Tet Offensive
This was a series of coordinated attacks by the Communists on over 100 different cities and towns in South Vietnam. It was a last stand against the Southern Vietnamese as they hoped to kick the US out of Vietnam and conquer the southern regions. -
My Lai Massacre
This was an attack on a South Vietnamese Village where approximately 500 women and children were assaulted and killed. This was a result of a search and destroy mission administered by the US army. -
Nixon’s Vietnamization policy
This was a policy where the United States wanted to shift the responsibility of the war from them to the Southern Vietnamese. It was part of his attempts to remove the US from the war. -
Nixon sends troops into Cambodia
In April of 1970, Nixon ordered American troops to go into Cambodia in hopes of preventing Vietminh soldiers from coming through Cambodia to get to South Vietnam. This was considered an invasion of sorts but there was not much that Cambodians could realistically do to stop it. -
Kent State shooting
Four students were gunned down by the Ohio National Guard during a protest by students who opposed the Vietnam War. This would be a turning point in the eyes of the American public as their own children were dying at home because of a conflict overseas. -
Hard Hat Riot
In May of 1970, In New York City, about 1,200 blue collar workers attacked protesters who were protesting the involvement of the Vietnam War. This was one of the first demonstrations of what would be known as "the silent majority" a large group of people who felt unrecognized in the American media. -
Nixon’s Christmas bombing (What was its effect?)
This was a massive two-week bombing campaign on the Northern cities of Hanoi and Haiphong. This was a response to North Vietnam leaving peace treaty negotiations. The effect of this was that it forced the Northern Vietnamese back to the negations table. -
Paris Peace Accords
This official document included a cease-fire between Northern and Southern Vietnamese. This document was intented to end the Vietnamese war, though the Northern Vietnamese would not keep their promises made in the accords. It also released US POWS. -
War Powers Act
This act was originally vetoed by the president but it was overridden by Congress. It worked to reduce the presidents power of sending troops overseas before they got approval from Congress. -
Saigon Falls
The fall of the South Vietnamese capital, Saigon, happened once US troops had left and the South Vietnamese military could no longer defend it. It would be renamed Ho Chi Min City and was one of the last major events of the Vietnam War.