Shannon Skierka “THE VIETNAM WAR” 1954 - 1975

By marie_skierka@yahoo.com

  • • The Geneva Accords divide Vietnam in half at the 17th parallel

    The 17th parallel division between North and South Vietnam was the result of the Geneva Confernce of 1954 which ended the French war in Vietnam

  • • JFK and Ngo Dinh Diem meet

    Following a meeting between South Vietnam's President Diem and Kennedy, the United States agrees to increase the number of American advisors in Vietnam from 340 to 805

  • • President Johnson declares he will not "lose Vietnam" during a meeting with Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge in Washington.

    While in a meeting with Henry Cabot Lodge, ambassador of America in Vietnam, in Washington Presidant Johnson declares he will not "lose Vietnem" to communism while he was in office. he didnt want to see Vietnam go the way China had.

  • • Diem overthrown

    South Vietnam's President Diem is overthrown in a military coup. The coup takes place with the tacit approval of the United States.

  • • Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

    The United States Senate approves the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, authorizing the President to "take all necessary measures" to repel attacks against US forces and to "prevent further aggression" in the area. The Resolution provides President Johnson with a blank check to take whatever action he deems appropriate in South Vietnam.

  • • Operation Rolling Thunder begins

    Rolling Thunder begains with 100 American Air Force and 60 South Vietnamese planes bombing North Vietnam. This was the first action tacken against North Vietnam where they had not attacked first.

  • • Massive anti-war demonstrations held in the U.S.

    Massive demonstrations are held throughout the US against the war. Protestors in New York City's Central Park, burn 200 draft cards.

  • • MyLai Massacre

    A unit of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion 20th Infantry, slaughter between 200 and 500 unarmed villagers in the hamlet of My Lai. Led by Lieutenant William Calley, the platoon is ordered to enter the village firing.

  • • President Nixon stuns Americans by announcing U.S. and South Vietnamese incursion into Cambodia

    President Nixon stuns Americans by announcing a U.S. and South Vietnamese incursion into Cambodia in response to continuing Communist gains against Lon Nol's forces. The incursion is and is also intended to weaken overall NVA military strength as a prelude to U.S. departure from Vietnam