-
Geneva Accords
Vietnam would become an independent nation, formally ending 75 years of French colonialism. This was the significance. The former French colonies Cambodia and Laos would also be given their independence. -
Assassination of Diem
Diem was assassinated because he heavy-handed tactics against the Viet Cong. He was murdered by some of his generals. It was important because it was the end of his government. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution authorized President Lyndon Johnson to “take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the United States forces and to prevent further aggression” by the communist government of North Vietnam. -
LBJ ordered 1st troops to Vietnam
This is when the US first deployed troops to Vietnam. This was in response to the Gulf of Tonkin incident in August. -
Tet Offensive
A coordinated series of North Vietnamese attacks. The offensive was an attempt to foment rebellion among the South Vietnamese population and encourage the United States to scale back its involvement in the Vietnam War. -
My Lai Massacre
One of the most horrific incidents of violence committed against unarmed civilians during the Vietnam War. A company of American soldiers brutally killed most of the people in the village of My Lai -
Nixon becomes president
Nixon became the 37th US president. This was the first presidential election after JFK was assassinated -
Nixon’s Vietnamization policy
Vietnamization was a policy of the Richard Nixon administration to end U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War through a program to train South Vietnamese forces and assign to them an ever-increasing combat role, at the same time steadily reducing the number of U.S. combat troops. -
Nixon ordered troops to Cambodia
Launching American forces into Cambodia with the special objective of capturing COSVN. -
Hard Hat Riot
Construction workers violently disrupted a peaceful demonstration on Wall Street before marching to the city. 13 college kids were shot. -
Nixon goes to China
The visit to three Chinese cities was the first time a U.S. president had visited China. It ended 25 years of no communication or diplomatic ties between the two countries and was the key step into relations. -
Nixon’s Christmas bombing
American B-52s and fighter-bombers dropped over 20,000 tons of bombs on the cities of Hanoi and Haiphong. The United States lost 15 of its giant B-52s and 11 other aircraft during the attacks. North Vietnam claimed that over 1,600 civilians were killed. -
Paris Peace Accords
This treaty would in effect remove all remaining US Forces, including air and naval forces in exchange. This is why it was important and it was approved by the US congress. -
Nixon Resigns
The Watergate Scandal led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. He was the first president to ever resign. -
Saigon Falls
The South Vietnamese stronghold of Saigon fell to the People's Army of Vietnam and the Viet Cong. It's important because it marked the end of the war.