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Geneva Accords
In an attempt to stop fighting between the communist and capitalist areas of Vietnam, the Geneva Accords were created and signed. Among other stipulations (such as holding elections), this also created the 17th parallel. This split Vietnam into north and south sections. Although this was not intended to create two different countries, that is more or less what happened. The north was run with communism while the south was run with capitalism. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
While the U.S. ship, USS Maddox, was sailing near the boundary of North Vietnam, three Vietnamese battle ships approached. After warning gunfire from USS Maddox, the Vietnamese ships supposedly attacked the U.S. ship. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
After reporting the Gulf of Tonkin incident, President Lyndon Johnson asked for permission to increase commitment in Vietnam. He was allowed and was told to to "whatever necessary" to stop the conflict. The numbers of troops in Vietnam increased to around 500,000. -
Tet Offensive
During the lunar new year, north Vietnam launched several massive attacks on south Vietnam. There were around 120 attacks in different cities. South Vietnam and U.S. suffered a combined 6,100 deaths, but north Vietnam lost around 50,00 soldiers. While south Vietnam technically won the Tet Offensive, U.S. morale dropped significantly and never recovered. -
The Fall of Saigon
Saigon was the main base for the U.S. in south Vietnam. On April 30th, 1975, it was captured by north Vietnamese troops. That same day south Vietnam surrendered, officially ending the Vietnam War. Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh city, and all of Vietnam was under communist rule.