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Geneva Conference
The conference was held in Geneva, Switzerland. It temporarily divided Vietnam along the 17th parallel. Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnhim were in charge of North Vietnam and pro-Western regime in control of South. -
French force falls to Vietnam at Dien Bien Phu
The defeat of twenty-thousand French troops occcured after a fifty-five day attack from the Vietminh. It cleared the way for the division of Vietnam. -
“The Rockefeller Report”
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Kennedy approves secret military plan for Vietnam and Laos.
The plan established Special Forces (Green Berets) to conduct covert operations against and inside North Vietnam and Laos. The soldiers were also responsible for training soldiers with special tactics in guerrilla fighting. -
Agent Orange
Agent orange was a deadly mixture of chemicals that U.S used to kill forest, so that Vietnamese could not hide as easily. They had also sprayed the crops, hoping to destroy some of their food supply. Over 19 million gallons of herbicide was spread throughout 4.5 million acres of land. Studies show that agent orange has caused many health issues as well as cancer to many U.S soldiers that were exposed to it. -
Diem attack Buddhist
On May 8, 1963 Diem ordered his troops to fire shoots at buddhist during their parade celebrating the birth of Buddha. The attack led to more protests from buddhist. The Martial Law came into effect in August making the government of Diem attack buddhist temples. -
Tonkin Resolution
Senate and house passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. It made it the president's duty to, “take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.” -
Viet Cong blow up U.S. barracks
The attack happened at Qui Nhon Eas east of Pleiku
on the central coast. The attack resulted in 23 dead U.S soldiers and 2 Viet Cong men. The attack lead to President Johnson ordering the operation Flaming Dart 2. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
Johnson increased American involvement by changing policy to a sustained bombing campaign against North Vietnam. It was supposed to last only eight weeks, however it lasted into late 1968. -
One of the Bloodiest battles occur.
The battle of Dak To took place from November 3 to the 22. 361 U.S soldiers died and over a thousand were injured. The U.S. Army claimed that 1,644 PAVN troops had been killed by body count. -
Battle of Khe Sanh
Forces from the People’s Army of North Vietnam had a massive artillery attack on the U.S. Marine garrison at Khe Sanh, located in northwest South Vietnam near the Laotian border. The attack lasted 77 days making it one of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War. -
Tet Offensive
North launches huge surprise attack, guerilla fighters attacked almost all American Air bases in the South and most of the South’s major cities and provincial capitals. -
Bombing Halts
President Johnson gave a televised speech announcing a halt in bombing except to the area north of the demilitarized zone where there is a large amounts of enemies. He also said he would be sending 13,500 more troops. -
Vietnamization
Nixon cut back on number of american troops in Vietnam. Nixon announced the withdrawal of 25,000 soldiers. -
Kent State
A demonstration protest was going on at Kent States on May 4, 1970 when members of the Ohio National Guard shot into the crowd. Four students were killed and nine were injured. -
26th Amendment
The 26th Amendment lowered the voting age from 24 to 18. It was decided that if young been were being conscripted to fight for our country they should have the right to vote. “Old enough to fight, old enough to vote” became a common slogan for a youth voting rights movement. -
Nixon is re-elected for President
Nixon won the election by a landslide. He persuaded the people with emphasizing a good economy. During the campaign, Nixon pledged to secure "peace with honor" in Vietnam. -
US Withdrawls Troops
President Johnson had decided not to seek reelection allowing Nxon to become president. The U.S was starting to become very against war. Eventually Nixon pulled all U.S troops out of the war. -
War Powers Act
This made it so the president could only send troops to war by declaration of congress. It was created, so that the president doesn't have as much power. -
South Vietnam Surrenders
The South Vietnamese forces had collapsed under the rapid attack of the North Vietnamese. The South Vietnamese abandoned Pleiku and Kontum in the Highlands with very little fighting. They were forced to surrender.
