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Dien Bien Phu
This event lasted 55 days. There were 3,000 French troops killed, 8,000 wounded along with 8,000 Viet Minh troops killed,12,000 wounded. This Vietnamese victory caused France to leave the war. This is the start of the Vietnam War. -
Creation of the Ho Chi Minh Trail
Supply route from North Vietnam to the Vietcong troops in South Vietnam.This gave the Vietnamese a great advantage against enemies, which was very important to the War. -
United States Becomes Actively Involved
JFK had previously ordered more aid for South Vietnam. Helicopters arrived in S. Vietnam with 400 U.S. troops. This is when the U.S. is officially involved in the Vietnam War. -
Operation Rangeland
Operation Rangeland's purpose was to expose the guerrilla trails and destroy crops. It destroyed veggitation which caused difficulties for the Vietnamese troops' ambushes.The Americans now have gained a small advantage from this operation. -
Gulf of Tonkin Attack
S. Vietnam attacks N. Vietnamese islands in the Gulf of Tonkin. This proves that the S.Vietnam is not loyal to the North, who had previously helped them. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
It was passed by the U.S. Congress. This provides Presedent Johnson with the power to do whatever is necessary to defend Southeast Asia. This gives the U.S. more power to use a more burtal force. -
Operation Rolling Thunder Begins
Authorized by President Johnson. First bombing raids are on March 2, 1965 and lasted 1 month . The goal was to stop N. Vietnam from supporting the South Vietcong Guerrillas.This was aimed by the U.S. to stop N. Vietnam from supporting the Vietcongs in the South. -
U.S. Offers Peace for Economic Aid Proposal
The U.S. offers N. Vietnam aid for their economy in return for peace. N. Vietnam rejects the request.This is the U.S.'s attempt to end the war. -
First Major Battle of Vietnam War of American Units
Occurs in Chu Lai. The Vietnamese attack American troops. This is the start of much friction between the U.S. and Vietnam. -
President Johnson sends 60,000 troops to Vietnam
President Johnson increases the military of the U.S. by more than 60,000 troops. This is also and attempt to end the war. -
Operation Junction City
Occurred in Tay Ninh Province.Its purpose was to destroy Vietcong bases and headquarters in South Vietnam. This is another strategy that the U.S. used to defeat the Vietnamese. -
Khe Sanh Attacked by Vietcong
Began at 5:30 am. The Vietcong used shells, mortars, and rockets in attacking Khe Sanh.18 Marines died, 40 were wounded. Lasts for two days. This is a strategy of the Vietcong which caused the U.S. to suffer loss. -
Tet Offensive Begins
The Vietcong attacked S. Vietnam. The Vietcong sent out 37,000 troops for the attack, every one of them died. The U.S. looses only 2,500 soldiers. This is a dominant victory for the U.S. -
My Lai Massacre
The U.S. killed roughly 200 innocent Vietnamese civilians. This event is key to the war because the U.S. murdered many innocents and were beginning to be quesioned for their approach of the war. -
Nixon Takes Office
Richard M. Nixon becomes new President of the United States. He promises to bring our troops home from Vietnam, and to still allow S. Vietnam to remain intact. This is Nixon's attempt to send the war to an end. -
Operation Menu
Occurs in Cambodia. President Nixon approved of this plan. Its purpose was to use more than half a million tons of bomb on Cambodia within four years. This is a trial to declare the war over. -
Only 133,000 U.S. Troops remain in Vietnam
Over 2 years 66% of America's troops have returned home. S. Vietnam has over a million soldiers enlisted to fight. The ground war is completely in S. Vietnam's hands. This means America is now leaving the war. -
Peace Talks Halt
The peace talk between N. Vietnam and the U.S. come to an end. This could be the end of the war. -
Peace Talks Continue
Occurs in Paris, N.Vietnam and U.S. continue their peace talk. This is could be a possible safer end to the war. -
Cease Fire Signed
Also occurs in Paris. Everyone that is involved in the Vietnam war agree to sign a cease fire treaty. This is the end of the fighting in the war. -
President Nixon Resigns
Richard M. Nixon resigns from his U.S. presidency. S. Vietnam no more has their best advocate. This could cause the fighting to restart. -
Last Casualties for U.S./Final Departure
The last of the Americans die in Saigon's Tan Son Nhut airport. War comes to an end after 15 years of fighting. This is finally the end to the Vietnam War.