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Domino Theory Coined
The domino theory was a cold war policy that included a communist government in one nation that would lead to communist takeovers in neighboring nations each falling like a row of domino's. This event was significant because the fall of Indochina to communism would lead to a rapid collapse of other South Eastern nations. -
Geneva Accords
The Geneva conference, intended to settle outstanding issues resulting from the Korean War and the First Indochina War, was a conference involving several nations that took place in Geneva, Switzerland. It was significant because it brought an end to the First Indochina War and marked an end to the French influence in Southeast Asia. -
Assassination of Diem
Diem was the final prime minister of the State of Vietnam and also served as President of South Vietnam from 1955 till he was captured and assassinated during the 1963 military coup. Diem assassination was significant because it caused celebration among many people in South Vietnam but also led to a state of political chaos in the nation. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
The Gulf of Tonkin was a joint resolution the United States Congress enacted that authorized President Johnson to take any measures he believed were crucial to retaliate against Southeast Asia and to ensure international peace and security in the United States. It is significant because it allowed the effective launch of America's full-scale involvement in the Vietnam War. -
LBJ ordered 1st troops to Vietnam
Under the authority of President Lyndon B. Johnson the United States deployed their first set of troops to Vietnam in response to the Gulf of Tonkin incident on August 2. They were the first combat troops the United States dispatched to South Vietnam to support the Saigon government to defeat the communist insurgency. -
Tet Offensive
The Tet Offensive was simultaneous attacks on 5 major South Vietnamese cities, and attacks on military posts by the North Vietnamese government. It was one of the largest military campaigns of the Vietnam War. It played a significant role in weakening the U.S. public support for the war in Vietnam. -
My Lai Massacre
The My Lai Massacre was the mass murder of unarmed South Vietnamese civilians by U.S. troops in the village of My Lai. The massacre fueled anti-war sentiment and increased the division of the United States in the Vietnam War. -
Nixon's Vietnamization Policy
Nixon's Vietnamization Policy was a policy to end U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War through a program that expanded, equipped, and trained the South Vietnamese forces and assigned them to an increasing combat role while decreasing the number of U.S. troops in the war. The importance of the Vietnamization policy was to teach and prepare the South Vietnamese troops to defend themselves to North Vietnam. The goal was to allow the U.S. to keep it's honor. -
Nixon sends troops into Cambodia
Nixon believed that North Vietnam was transporting troops and supplies through neighboring Cambodia into South Vietnam. He hoped that bombing supply routes in Cambodia would weaken the United States enemies. Nixon approved the use of American ground forces in Cambodia to fight alongside South Vietnamese troops attacking communist bases. This event was significant because it showed North Vietnam that he was a dangerous leader and would do anything it took. -
Kent State Shootings
The Kent State Shooting also referred to as the May 4 massacre and the Kent State massacre, was the killings of four and wounding of nine other unarmed Kent State University students by the Ohio National Guard in Kent Ohio. The Kent State shootings was significant because the students were only peacefully protesting the U.S. invasion of Cambodia during the Vietnam War but once the students got more aggressive they started shooting at them. -
Hard Hat Riot
The Hard Hat Riot was a protest of around 400 construction workers and around 800 office workers who attacked around 1,000 demonstrators affiliated with the student strike of 1970. The purpose of the Hard Hat Riot was to protest the May 4 Kent State shootings and the Vietnam War after Nixon announced the U.S invasion of Cambodia. -
Nixon's Christmas Bombing
Nixon's Christmas Bombing was a massive bombing campaign In North Vietnam that resulted in an attack on North Vietnam's air defenses that lasted for 11 days and resulted in over 20,000 tons of explosives being dropped. U.S. felt it was necessary because most of the targets in North Vietnam were in shambles. The Christmas bombing was significant because it forced North Vietnam to make concessions, accept armistice, and release American POW's. -
Paris Peace Accords
The Paris Peace Accords was a peace treaty to end the Vietnam War and establish peace In Vietnam. The significance of the treaty was it peacefully and effectively removed the U.S. from the conflict in Vietnam. -
War Powers Act
The War Powers Act was a federal law intended to check the U.S. president's powers to commit the United States to an armed conflict without the consent of the U.S. Congress. The significance of the War Powers Act was to limit the president's power to make or expand military actions. -
Saigon Falls
Saigon Falls was the capture of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam by the People's Army of Vietnam and the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam. Saigon Falls was significant because it officially marked the end of the Vietnam War.