The Vietnam War – 1954-1980

Ho Chi Minh declares an independent Vietnam

Sep 2, 1945

History ChannelHours after Japan's surrender in World War II, Vietnamese communist Ho Chi Minh declares the independence of Vietnam from France. The proclamation paraphrased the U.S. Declaration of Independence in declaring, "All men are born equal: the Creator has given us inviolable rights, life, liberty, and happiness!" and was cheered by an enormous crowd gathered in Hanoi's Ba Dinh Square. It would be 30 years, however, before Ho's dream of a united, communist Vietnam became reality.

U.S. Provides aid to the French

May 1, 1950

In May, the U.S. begins providing help to the French in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. In August the Pathet Lao communist party and guerrilla group is formed. Discussions among the five nations results in Washington’s dispatch of the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) to Vietnam. Eventually over 250 U.S. pilots assist the French in their war against the Viet Minh.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower advises Diem that the U.S. will provide assistance directly to South Vietnam

Oct 1, 1954

President Dwight D. Eisenhower advises Diem that the U.S. will provide assistance directly to South Vietnam, instead of channeling it through French authorities. A short time later the Eisenhower administration provides economic and military aid to South Vietnam under the leadership of Diem. This coincides with the establishment of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) on September 7th. The agreement, signed in Manila, was devised to check communist expansion in the region.

Non-Compliance with the Geneva Agreements

Jan 3, 1957

Geneva AgreementsOn January 3, 1957 the International Control Commission declares that both North and South Vietnam had failed to comply with the Geneva Agreements.

Formation of the NFL

Dec 1, 1960

In December 1960, Diem’s opponents within South Vietnam–both communist and non-communist–formed the National Liberation Front (NLF) to organize resistance to the regime.

J. F. K. sends 400 American combat troops to South Vietnam as advisors.

May 11, 1961

DiruptPresident Kennedy approves sending 400 Special Forces troops and 100 other U.S. military advisers to South Vietnam. On the same day, he orders the start of clandestine warfare against North Vietnam to be conducted by South Vietnamese agents under the direction and training of the CIA and U.S. Special Forces troops. Kennedy's orders also called for South Vietnamese forces to infiltrate Laos to locate and disrupt communist bases and supply lines there.

National Security Memorandum No. 263

Oct 11, 1963

On October 11th Kennedy signs National Security Memorandum No. 263 that is a plan to “Vietnamize” the war - and withdraw U.S. troops from Vietnam by 1965. However, after JFK’s assassination on November 22, this executive order is rescinded by the new president, Lyndon Johnson in NSM No. 273. This is the first step toward full-scale war.

ing delivered a speech titled “Beyond Vietnam”.

Feb 14, 1967

He spoke strongly against the U.S.’s role in the war, insisting that the U.S. was in Vietnam “to occupy it as an American colony” King also was opposed to the Vietnam War on the grounds that the war took money and resources that could have been spent on social welfare services like the War on Poverty. The United States Congress was spending more and more on the military and less and less on anti-poverty programs at the same time. He summed up this aspect by saying, “A nation that continues year

The turning point

Jan 31, 1968

The turning point of the war occurs as 84,000 Viet Cong guerrillas aided by NVA troops launch the Tet Offensive attacking a hundred cities and towns throughout South Vietnam.

The My Lai Massacre

Mar 16, 1968

The Mỹ Lai Massacre was the Vietnam War mass killing of between 347 and 504 unarmed civilians in South Vietnam on March 16, 1968. It was committed by U.S. Army soldiers from the Company C of the 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 11th Brigade of the 23rd (Americal) Infantry Division.

Break Down of Peace Talks

Dec 13, 1972

Peace talks break down when Le duc Tho rejects changes in the agreement demanded by Thieu.

Vietnam Peace Agreement

Jan 17, 1973

With a view to ending the war and restoring peace in Viet-Nam on the basis of respect for the Vietnamese people's fundamental national rights and the South Vietnamese people's right to self-determination, and to contributing to the consolidation of peace in Asia and the world,

U.S. Withdraws from Vietnam

Mar 29, 1973

Two months after the signing of the Vietnam peace agreement, the last U.S. combat troops leave South Vietnam as Hanoi frees the remaining American prisoners of war held in North Vietnam. America's direct eight-year intervention in the Vietnam War was at an end. In Saigon, some 7,000 U.S. Department of Defense civilian employees remained behind to aid South Vietnam in conducting what looked to be a fierce and ongoing war with communist North Vietnam.