-
The Beginning of Conflict
On September 2, 1945, after Japan surrendered to the Allies, Ho Chi Minh organized the Viet Minh. Then Vo Nguyen Giap led them and seized Hanoi and made it the capital of North Vietnam. Giap then made Ho president of North Vietnam. This affected the U.S. when the government heard it turned into a Communist country. -
The Domino Theory
On April 7, 1954, president Eisenhower gave a press conference. In it he talked about how the fall of the French in Indochina could spread like a “domino” effect. This was called the “Domino Theory”. This was all that the U.S. could think about for the entire decade. -
Indochina War
On May 7, 1954, the Viet Minh army, after 57 days of siege, made the French positions collapse. Even though it stopped the French colonial efforts in Indochina, the U.S. stepped in. The U.S. increased the military aid to South Vietnam. The Indochina War impacted the U.S. and made the U.S. own up to its promise to oppose Communism. -
Campaign of Terror Against Diem
On March1, 1959, a revolution starts as Ho Chi Minh declares a People’s War. This is to unite all of Vietnam under his control. Thus begun the Second Indochina War. -
The Vietcong is Formed
On December 20, 1960, the National Liberation Front is formed to destroy Diem’s plans. The Vietcong is formed and funded by the North Vietnamese government. And the Vietcong is staffed by Ex-Viet Minh. -
Agent Orange
On January 13, 1962, the first mission to defoliate Vietnam was taken place. Agent Orange was the mixture of chemicals that effectively killed the foliage. But Agent Orange gave many lung cancer and made newborns have birth defects. -
The Gulf of Tonkin
On July 31, 1964, the USS Maddox took a patrol through the Gulf of Tonkin. While on that patrol, several attacks were made. Later on, there were multiple torpedo boats dispatched to attack the destroyer. -
First U.S. ground troops sent to Vietnam
On February 9, 1965, Eisenhower sent the first ground troops to Vietnam. And by the end of the year there were 200,000 U.S. troops in Vietnam. They first clashed with the North Vietnamese at la Drang. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
Video-Rolling ThunderOn March 2, 1965, the U.S. military started the bombing campaign know as Operation Rolling Thunder. U.S. aircrafts attacked multiple targets in North Vietnam to put pressure on the North Vietnamese leaders. This marked the first sustained assault by America against North Vietnam. This represented a huge increase in American involvement in the Vietnam War. -
The Tet Offensive
On January 31, 1968, many North Vietnamese and Vietcong launched the Tet Offensive. This was when they attacked the South Vietnam while they were celebrating their new years or Tet. This made all of the people fear of multiple more attacks so they became scared and worried. -
"Vietnamization"
On November 5, 1969, Nixon is elected. He introduced the strategy of Vietnamization. Vietnamization was aimed at ending American involvement in Vietnam. This made many Americans excited and happy. -
Kent State Incident
On May 4, l970, members of the Ohio National Guard shot into a crowd at Kent State and killed 4 and wounded 9. The impact to the families was very dramatic. This started a huge nation-wide protest against schools and made some have to close. -
Watergate Scandal
On June 17, 1972, multiple burglars were arrested. They were caught breaking in to the Democratic building. They were payed to keep quiet. And Nixon approved this bribe. This made people not trust the government. -
The U.S. withdraws from Vietnam
On March 29, 1973, the last of the U.S. troops in Vietnam were taken out. But when the soldiers got back, they were not welcomed. Some experienced divorces. -
Sources
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/causes_vietnam_war.htm, http://www.clemson.edu/caah/history/facultypages/edmoise/viet3.html, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/french-defeated-at-dien-bien-phu, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/eisenhower-gives-famous-domino-theory-speech, http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/vietnam/index-1945.html, http://thepoliticalpixie.wordpress.com/page/4/, http://www.shmoop.com/vietnam-war/photo-ho-chi-minh.html, http://www.lowellmilkencenter.or
You are not authorized to access this page.