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French Intention to Take North Vietnam
Vietnam was originally part of the French Empire. During WWII the French lost control to the Japanese. After WWII the Japanese retreated from Vietnam and the French reclaimed South Vietnam, while the Chinese claimed North Vietnam. The Chinese eventually left North Vietnam in 1946 and the party of Ho Chi Minh took over. That same year the French announced their intent to reclaim North Vietnam, and that the North would have ot fight for their independence. The war startes later in the year. -
First Indochina War
After the French declared their intent to take North Vietnam, the French attacked city of Haiphong and entered the capital, Hanoi. After this attack, the First Indochina War was started. The war lasted until 1956, when the French were defeated, and then soon retreated. This is when South Vietnam established an independent, non-communist government. -
U.S. Advisors sent to Vietnam
The United States were worried about the spread of communism from North to South Vietnam, so the U.S. sent advisors to south Vietnam in 1950 to help the French against the North and help combat the advancement of communism. -
Geneva Conference
The Geneva Conference was a meeting that took place in Geneva, Switzerland. It was meant to help find a way to settle the conflict in Vietnam. Many countries were in attendance, including the United States, France, Soviet Union, United Kingdom, and the People's Republic of China. -
Geneva Accords
The Geneva Accords were created during the Geneva Conference. It temporarily divided Vietnam along the 17th parallel into North and South Vietnam. An election was also to be held in two years for one leader to unite the Vietnams. North Vietnam was controlled by Ho Chi Minh and the Vietminh, and a pro-Western regimein control of the South. The United States then Stepped in and assumed the role of prinicle protector of South Vietnam. -
"Denounce the Communists"
In the summer of 1955, Prime Minister Diem of South Vietnam started a "Denounce the Communists" campaign around South Vietnam. Diem had any communists and other oppositions both jailed and executed. Diem also attacked Buddists. -
Non-election of 1956
History of Ho Chi Minh and the Viet Minh In the Geneva Accords, it was stated that in two years from teh time the Gevena Accords were created, the two countries were to hold an election and elect one leader for a united Vietnam. This never happened because South Vietnam's leader Diem never signed the Geneva Accords, and was able to refuse participation in the elections. -
Nikita Khrushchev
Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev gives his support for "wars of national liberation". This statement, which was spread throughout the world, encouraged Communists in North Vietnam to escalate their armed struggle to unify Vietnam into one whole country under Ho Chi Minh. -
Special Advisors Sent to South Vietnam
President John F. Kennedy sends 400 American "Special Advisors" to South Vietnam. These "Special Advisors" are sent to help train South Vietnam's soldiers in counter-insurgancy attacks to help them in their fight against North Vietnam guerrillas. -
Resettlement in South Vietnam (Operation Sunrise)
Operation Sunrise was a resettlement program meant to move scattered rural people into fortified villages that areprotected by local militia. Many of these villiages were found and massacred by North Vietnam. Many civilans were wounded and killed. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
After multiple North Vietnamese torpedo attack on American destroyers, President Johnson asked Congress for the use of force to defend American ships. Congress agreed with little argument and the Senate and House passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which allowed the President to have almost full power in directing the war. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
Operation Rolling Thunder was a bombing campaign against North Vientnam. This occured after President Johnson changed his policy, which then expanded U.S. involvement in the Vietnam war. -
Tet Offensive
The Vietcong and North Vietnamese led a large surprise attack on almost all the American airbases that were located in South Vietnam, as well as most of South Vietnam's major cities and capitals. This happened during Tet, or the Vietnamese new year. It took American and South Vietnames troops about four weeks to drive out guerrilla fighters. -
Vietnamization
This was the gradual withdrawl of American soldiers, from Vietnam. During this time South Vietnam took over more of the fighting. -
Kent State University
Many college aged students were angry that the United States was participating in the Vietnam war. At Kent State Univeristy in Ohio (and everywhere else as well), students started to protest after discovering American Soldiers were invading Cambodia. The Ohio National Guard arrived at the scene and fired onto the crowd without orders to do so. Four students were killed and at least nine more were injured or wounded. -
Jackson State University
Basically the same situation as Kent State, bexcept Jackson State was an African American dominant school. Students were wounded and killed by the national guard because they were protesting the war. -
26th Amendment
Many 18-20 year old people were angry not only over the war, but that they were frorced to participate in the war through the draft. Many of them felt that if they were old enough to serve the country, they're old enough to vote. The 26th Amendment gave all American citizens ages 18 and older the right to vote. -
United States Withdraw Troops
In April 1972 President Nixon decided to forgo his insistance of North Vietnam withdrawing from South Vietnam before a peace treaty could be signed. Although at first the Vietnams couldn't find an agreement, the United States used air raids for twelve strait days on North Vietnam to convince them to continue their peace talks with South Vietnam. Finally on January 27, 1973, North and South Vietnam signed a peace agreement that ended the war and allowed Nixon to bring home our troops. -
War Powers Act
Also known as the War Powers Resolution, this act was passed by Congress to help take away or limit the executive power. It requires the president to tell Congress about a commitment of troops within a 48 hour time span and to withdraw them within 2-3 months unless otherwise directed by Congress. -
South Vietnam Surrender
North vietnam violated the peace treaty between North and South Vietnam and launched an invasion in the South. America was unable to help them because congress refused to provide funds. North Vietnam then captured the South Vietnam capital Saigon and united all of Vietnam under a communist rule.
