Vietnam War Timeline

  • Japan surrendered to the Allies

    World War II ends when Japan surrendered, this gave up control of Indochina. As soon as this happened Vietnam declared independence. This fits in the category of military because Japan surrendered from a war therefore involving the military and it no longer fighting.
  • The French Forces Were Defeated

    The French were defeated by the Vietminh, after a huge Vietminh force surrounded and began bombarding the town. This defeat convinced the French to make peace and withdraw from Indochina. This fits within the category of military because now the French military is no longer fighting.
  • President Kennedy Took Office

    Once elected in office, Kennedy continued to support South Vietnam because he felt this country was necessary in eliminating communism. This falls in the category political, because it deals with the presidential status which is a political party.
  • Generals Launched A Military Coup On Diem

    After this launch, Diem was completely executed. The chaos created from his death weakened South Vietnam's government. This is considered to be under a political category because Diem was South Vietnamese politician.
  • General William Westmoreland Became The Commander of The Military

    After he assumed command in 1964, he pushed the Johnson administration to send more troops to Vietnam to refocus the country's mission. This is considered a military category because William massively increased the military force.
  • Tet Offensive Was Launched

    This was a huge surprise attack launched by the North Vietnamese and Vietcong. This was a huge guerrilla fight attacking American air bases in South Vietnam. This is considered within the military category because this is a military attack.
  • The Vietnam War Ended

    This was an agreement signed by the United States and Vietnam promising to end the war and promote peace in Vietnam. The United States promised to withdraw its troops and both exchanged their prisoners of war. This is considered economic and a military change. The economic change was that both countries were no longer at war and could improve their economic struggles. This involved the military because they were no longer at war.
  • Vietnamese Veteran's Memorial Dedicated In Washington, DC

    The nation dedicated a memorial, made of a large black granite wall inscribed with the name of those killed and missing in the action of war. This was considered under the category of military as the ones displayed in this memorial were the ones fighting in the military during the war.