Vietnam War Timeline

  • Domino Theory coined

    Domino Theory coined
    When Eisenhower mentions French Indochina turning communist could create a domino effect. From that point that phrase was used frequently in that time period.
  • Geneva Accords

    Geneva Accords
    At this conference it was decided that Vietnam would be split at the 17th parallel and the French withdrew their troops from northern Vietnam.
  • Assassination of Diem

    Assassination of Diem
    Diem was captured and killed by General Dương Văn Minh. After his death lots of people were very happy but it also caused political chaos.
  • Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

    Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
    Congress passed the the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution which let President Johnson do whatever he thinks is best to promote peace and security in southeast Asia.
  • LBJ ordered 1st troops to Vietnam

    LBJ ordered 1st troops to Vietnam
    President Lyndon B. Johnson sent troops to Vietnam because of the Gulf of Tonkin Incident.
  • Tet Offensive

    Tet Offensive
    North Vietnam started coordinated attacks against South Vietnam.
  • My Lai Massacre

    My Lai Massacre
    American soldiers killed about 500 civilians at My Lai. It was kept a secret for 2 years after it happened.
  • Nixon’s Vietnamization policy

    Nixon’s Vietnamization policy
    This said that South Vietnam would take the USA's place in fighting and the USA would withdraw their troops.
  • Nixon sends troops into Cambodia

    Nixon sends troops into Cambodia
    President Nixon sent troops to Cambodia hoping that it would provide around six or eight months for South Vietnamese forces to get stronger then shorten the war for the Americans.
  • Kent State shooting

    Kent State shooting
    The Ohio National Guard killed four Kent State shootings and injured nine more students.
  • Hard Hat Riot

    Hard Hat Riot
    The Hard Hat Riot started at about 12:00 when construction workers and office workers attacked demonstrators related to the student strike.
  • Nixon's Christmas Bombing

    Nixon's Christmas Bombing
    Nixon's Christmas Bombing was a bombing campaign by the US against North Vietnam.
  • Paris Peace Accords

    Paris Peace Accords
    The Paris Peace Accords had an intent to establish peace in Vietnam and end the war.
  • War Powers Act

    War Powers Act
    The War Powers Act intended to keep the president's power in check when putting the US in armed conflict without approval from Congress.
  • Saigon Falls

    Saigon Falls
    Saigon was headquarters for US military but Vietnamese troops captured Saigon and the city name was changed to Ho Chi Minh City.