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Battle of Dienbienphu
The Viet Minh used artillery to stop the supplies from France to arrive by air to South Vietnam. This was important because South Vietnam relied on France as an ally to provide them with supplies. But when it was impossible for France to provide supplies by air, South Vietnam was in an even weaker state. -
U.S. Military Assistance Advisor Group
The MAAG begins training the South Vietnamese military after the French stop helping South Vietnam. This was important because this is when the United States gets involved in the Vietnam War. -
Viet Minh Start a Campaign
The campaign for guerrilla warfare was started by the Viet Minh. This was important because it was severely devastating to South Vietnam. The guerrilla warfare consisted of brutal attacks, like hit and runs and ambushes. This form of attacking also brought along more Viet Minh to enter South Vietnam. -
First Americans Die in Vietnam War
The first two Americans died in the Vietnam war during guerrilla air strikes. The Americans were Major Dale R. Buis and Master Sergeant Chester M. Ovnand. This was important because it gave North Vietnam confidence in their tactics, which caused more guerrilla warfare and deaths in South Vietnam. -
President Kennedy Sends More Help to South Vietnam
President Kennedy sent more aid to South Vietnam. There were 100 Special Forces troops that were sent. This was important because when the United States sent over the Special Forces troops, it proved to South Vietnam that the United States were loyal to them. It also proved to North Vietnam that the United States was not on their side, which gave them more of an incentive to fight. -
President Kennedy and Ngo Dinh Diem Murdered
President Kennedy and Ngo Dinh Diem were both murdered in the same year, 22 days apart. This was important because the two leaders over the US and South Vietnam were both killed. Now, both countries had to determine what to do during the war, which made them weaker. North Vietnam now had an advantage. -
Gulf of Tonkin
After six months of the US and South Vietnamese working together in naval operations, the Gulf of Tonkin incident occurred. The USS Maddox had torpedoes fired at it by North Vietnamese PT boats. This was important because it caused President Johnson to gather the congressional leaders and discuss the attack. He then sent a resolution to the Senate to authorize him to do all things necessary to prevent armed attacks and further aggression on the United States forces. The resolution was approved. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
For three years, the Americans continuously had bombing raids on North Vietnam. The hope for these raids was to reduce North Vietnam's ability to fight against the government of South Vietnam. This was important because it was the first sustained assault that America had on North Vietnam. This showed the United States' involvement in the Vietnam war. -
Operation Menu
President Nixon attempts to destroy the Communist base camps and supply routes in Cambodia. The bombings of Cambodia would go on for fourteen months. This was important because it was done in secret, without the Congress, nor the American public, knowing. -
Troops Withdrawn
Troops were withdrawn after President Nixon ordered for a reduction, which made the total amount of troops 280,000. This was important because it was a major step in the United States making an anti-war demonstration. -
Cease-fire Signed
South Vietnam, the United States, Viet Cong, and North Vietnam signed a cease-fire in Paris that agreed to have peace and honor with Vietnam and Southeast Asia. This was important because it withdrew all of the troops and advisors, which amounted to 23,700. All of the US bases were also dismantled in throughout 60 days. And lastly, North Vietnam released all US prisoners of war and other prisoners of war. -
Damage to Vietnam Ecology Reported
The National Academy of Science reported that the chemical herbicides that were used during the war damaged Vietnam's ecology. This was important because it was found that some herbicides, especially Agent Orange, caused cancer, skin disease, and other disorders on individuals who were exposed to the herbicides. -
President Minh's Surrender
President Minh, the Southern Vietnamese president, delivered a surrender to the Communists. Colonel Bui Tin, over North Vietnam, accepted the surrender. The last remaining Americans leave Saigon. Unfortunately, the last two US servicemen to die were killed in Vietnam when their helicopter crashed. This is important because the surrender allowed the rest of the Americans to leave Vietnam, but America still had to suffer the pain and loss of repercussions of the Vietnam War. -
Vietnam is a Communist Country
North Vietnam and South Vietnam become one unified country that is Communist. The unified country is called the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. This was important because it showed that America did not make any influence on Vietnam in the end. -
US GAO Reports on Agent Orange
The US General Accounting Office released a report that the Agent Orange herbicide had thousands of US soldiers be exposed to it. This was important because Veterans demanded an investigation to be done by the government to discover what effect the dioxin in the Agent Orange had on the immune system.
