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Geneva Agreements
Vietnam was divided at the 17th parallel into a communist government in the north and a new republic in the south. This was made possible through the signing of the Geneva Agreements. At first only temporary until re-elections but then remained due to leadership shifts. This division created the beginning of the Vietnam War. -
Eisenhower's Stance
With the events of the Cold War growing larger, policies against any Soviet Union Allies were hardened. Dwight Eisenhower pledged support to Diem of South Vietnam. He promised military aid and direct government assistance. This began the involvment of the U.S. in the war. -
Agreements Broken
The International Control Comission declared that The Geneva Agreement conditions had not been followed by neither South or North Vietnam. -
U.S. Team Involvement
A team that was sent to Vietnam to report conditions advisied President Kennedy to build up the military in order to help confront the threat of Viet Cong. In return, Kennedy uped U.S. aid as more southeast Asian countries fell to communism. A secret military planned was approved, sending in 400 Green Beret soldiers to train and defend. -
Overthrown
President Diem of South Vietnam was overthrown and murdered as well as his advisor (who was his brother) by a coup with the training skills provided by the help of U.S. troops. -
Assasination of President Kennedy
As President J.F. K. rode throught Dallas, he was shot and killed. Linden Baines Johnson took oath of office replacing him after this tragedy. -
USS Maddox
In the Gulf of Tonkin, U.S. patrol boat Maddox faced off with three of North Vietnams torpedo boats. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
After a phantom attack on another U.S. boat shortly after the incident with USS Maddox, President Johnson authorized any measures necessary to promote peace and security of Southeast Asia or retaliation. -
Tet Offensive
While celebrating the lunar new year, or Tet, every South Vietnam province was attacked by the North. Although taken by surprise, United States troops made this one of "the most resounding defeats in all of military history" (history.net). -
Anti-War Protests
Washington, D.C. held the largest anti-war protest in history. Strongly support by college campuses, many rallied to ask for the withdrawal of American troops from Vietnam. -
Operation Linebacker
The beginning of a B-52 raid by the U.S. that aimed to target and eliminate transporation and logistics stations in Vietnam. -
"Draft Dodgers" Win
Selective Service announces that there will be no more draft calls. All armed forces would be voluntarily. This was the beginning of the calming period of anti-war movements. -
Peace Agreement
Peace accords were signed in Paris between North Vietnam and the United States, ending U.S. involvement in Vietnam. -
Troop Withdrawal
After signing the peace agreements two months previous, President Nixon orders the last of the troops in Vietnam to withdrawal and return to U.S. soil. -
Fall of Saigon
Communist forces invade and capture Saigon and all the surrounding areas; this forced President Minh to surrendered, unifying the country as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and ending the Vietnam War entirely.
