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Geneva Conference
This was the conference where Vietnam temporarily split in two, along the 17th parallel. The South was led by Ngo Dinh Diem, and the North was led by Ho Chi Minh. -
Kennedy Takes Over
Kennedy took office and continued the support for South Vietnam. -
Diem’s overthrow
Henry Lodge arrived in Vietnam. He learned about the Vietnamese military planning to overthrow Diem, he expressed his support and the generals overthrowed Diem. Shortly later Diem was executed. -
Johnson Takes Over
When Kennedy was assassinated his Vice President, Johnson, had to take over. He didn’t want to make the war worst, but he also didn’t want communism to spread. -
Tonkin Resolution
The Senate and House passed an Act saying the President can “take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.” -
Operation Rolling Thunder
US shifted policy to a sustained bombing campaign; in March the President also ordered the first combat troops into Vietnam. -
Teach Ins
Students and faculty at the University of Michigan skipped their classes and created a teach in. A teach in is where they discussed war issues and why they opposed war. In May 122 colleges hosted a national Teach in day, they had over 100,000 demonstrators. -
Students for a Democratic Society
These students organized a march on Washington DC. They march drew in over 20,000 protestors. -
Battle of Ia Drang
The first actual battle of the Vietnam war. The American forces collide with North Vietnamese forces in the Ia Drang Valley. -
Tet Offensive
Vietcong and North Vietnam launched a surprise guerrilla attack on American air bases and Major cities in South Vietnam. The communist forces seized most of the citie, Hue, and it took South Vietnam 4 weeks to drive them out. It was a very bloody battle, with over 3,000 casualties. -
Massacre at My Lai
An American Platoon had massacred more than 200 unarmed South Vietnamese citizens in the Hamlet of My Lai. This wasn’t revealed to the public until November, 1969. -
Hawks and Doves
The Country had separated itself into two groups, the doves, against the war, and the hawks, who supported the war. The nation suffered hard for the lack of unity. -
Nixon Wins
The Republican Richard Nixon was elected because of his plan to end the war. Nixon had a wide lead in this presidential race. -
Vietnamization
The gradual withdrawal of US troops, while South Vietnam takes over more fighting. -
US withdrawal of troops
Nixon declared he was withdrawing troops from Vietnam. He withdrew 25,000 troops. -
Kent State
In Ohio, National Guard Soldiers, fired on demonstrators without order. There were 4 casualties and at least 9 injured. -
Congress repealed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Congress was furious that the President hadn’t informed them of US action’s in the war, so they repealed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. -
26th Amendment
Gave all citizens above 18 the right to vote. -
War Powers Act
This act required the President to inform Congress of troops abroad within a 48 hr period, and withdraw them within a 60- 90 day period, unless Congress says otherwise. -
South Vietnam Surrender
South Vietnamese president Duong Van Minh delivers a surrender to the North. The North accepts the surrender and the South falls to communism.
