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Domino Theory Coined
Domino Theory was the shorthand expression of the strategic importance of South Vietnam to the United States to contain the spread of Communism. This theory would underline the importance of alliances and how quickly Communism would spread if infiltrated a nation. -
Geneva Accords
The Geneva Accords led to the agreement that the French would withdraw their troops from northern Vietnam. It would be very important as it would end the First Indochina War and marked the end of the French influence in Southeast Asia. Vietnam would divide into two countries at the 17th parallel. -
Assassination of Diem
After his overthrow of his government, President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother would be captured and killed. The death would cause celebration among many people in South Vietnam along with political chaos in the nation. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was what effectively launched America´s full scale involvement in the Vietnam War. This allowed for all necessary measures to repel an army attack against the United Sates, preventing further aggression. Full justification was now provided for further escalation to the conflict in Vietnam. -
LBJ ordered 1st Troops to Vietnam
LBJ orders two battalions of U.S. Marines waded ashore on the beaches at Danang. Those 3,500 soldiers were the first combat troops the United States had dispatched to South Vietnam to support the Saigon government in its effort to defeat an increasingly Communist rise. LBJ needed to help fight against Communism and felt it was vital to get involved in the Vietnam War. -
Tet Offensive
The Tet Offensive a series of major attacks by communist forces in the Vietnam War. Although a military loss, the Tet Offensive was a stunning propaganda victory for the communists. In fact, it is often credited with turning the war in their favor. The South Vietnamese began to lose influence as Vietcong guerrillas infiltrated rural areas formerly held by the South Vietnamese government. -
My Lai Massacre
The My Lai Massacre was one of the most horrific incidents of violence committed during the Vietnam War. A company of American soldiers brutally killed most of the people were women, children and old men.The brutality of the My Lai massacre and the official cover-up fueled anti-war sentiment and further divided the United States over the Vietnam War. -
Nixon’s Vietnamization policy
The Vietnamization policy was a strategy which involved building up South Vietnam's armed forces and withdrawing U.S. troops. It also included a gradual take over of the South Vietnamese taking responsibility of fighting their own war by American-provided money, weapons, training, and advice. This would prepare the South Vietnamese to act in their own defense against a North Vietnamese takeover and allow the United States to leave Vietnam with its honor intact. -
Nixon sends troops into Cambodia
With Nixon sending troops into Cambodia, this was an attempt to bomb supply routes to weaken the United States enemies. Nixon wanted to secure peace by training the South Vietnamese to fight the communists after U.S. troops left completely and to negotiate a peace settlement. This was also an attempt to defeat the communists troops that were there. -
Kent State shooting
The Kent State shooting was when members of the Ohio National Guard fired into a crowd of Kent State University demonstrators, killing four and wounding nine Kent State students. This happened because students protesting the bombing of Cambodia by United States military forces. The event triggered a nationwide student strike that forced hundreds of colleges and universities to close. -
Hard Hat Riot
The Hard Hat Riot occurred on May 8, 1970, in New York City. It started around noon when around 400 construction workers and around 800 office workers attacked around 1,000 demonstrators affiliated with the student strike of 1970. The students were protesting the May 4 Kent State shootings and the Vietnam War, following the April 30 announcement by President Richard Nixon of the U.S. invasion of neutral Cambodia. -
Nixon’s Christmas bombing
Richard Nixon initiated a massive “carpet bombing” campaign in Northern Vietnam that was officially called “Operation Linebacker II” and also became known as the Christmas bombing campaign. Historians have argued that the bombings forced the North Vietnamese back to the negotiating table. Others have suggested that the attacks had little impact, beyond the additional death and destruction they caused. -
Paris Peace Accords
The Paris Peace Accords was the settlement that ceased fire in Vietnam. Peace was officially established in Vietnam after years of fighting and negotiation. The United States would also withdraw from South Vietnam. -
War Powers Act
The War Powers Act checked and limited the power of the president by requiring the approval of congress to put American troops in combat areas. The president would not just be able to send troops into hostile areas and military action would be looked over. The public would have felt little impact on the distrust that had built in the American public. -
Saigon Falls
Saigon Falls would symbolize the wars failure. Days before the fall of Saigon, US forces evacuate thousands of South Vietnamese and Americans from Vietnam. When Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese, this would end the Vietnam War.