Vietnam War Timeline Directions

Geneva Accord

Jul 21, 1954

The Geneva Accord resolved the French Indochina War by temporarily dividing Vietnam at the 17th parallel. North Vietnam was controlled by communist leader Ho Chi Minh and South Vietnam was controlled by pro West leader Ngo Diem, Vietnam was supposed to be united hrough free elections in 1956.

U.S. supported coup of Diem

Nov 2, 1963

Ngo Dinh Diem was the first President of South Vietnam and was supported by the U.S.. However, when Ho Chi Minh began to gain popularity and protestes ammong the South Vietnmanese escalated the U.S. was forced to create a new government.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Aug 7, 1964

This resolution gave the President the authority to use military force in Southeast Asia without declaring war. This was in response to the alleged unprovoked attack against two U.S. destroyers.

My Lai massacre

Mar 16, 1968

U.S. soldiers opened fire on several hundred unarmed South Vietnamese women and children. Some women were then gang-raped and their bodies mutilated.

Tet Offensive

Apr 20, 1968

During a buddhist holiday, over 80,000 Vietcong attacked major metropolitan centers in South Vietnam, an American military base, and a U.S. embassy. Within the next few weeks the U.S. military recaptured the lost territory and inficted twice as much damage as they had recieved. However, this suprise attack greatly lowerd American morale.

Nixon wins the election

Nov 5, 1968

Republican canidate, Richard Nixon, was elected president on promises to end the Vietnam war. He beat the democratic conidate and incumbant Vice-President Hubert Humphre.

Fall of Saigon

Apr 30, 1975

North Vietnam attacks and captured South Vietnams capital, uniting Vietnam as a communist country. At this point there were no U.S. troops left in Vietnam.