Vietnam and Cold War

By erinlapierre

  • Geneva Accords

    This agreement would establish North and South Vietnam under a designated line. Every two years an election would take place so that Vietnam, as a whole, was under one democratic government. Although this proposition of election never happened. (Major Military Event)

  • Ho Chi Minh Trail

    North Vietnam soldiers began building a supply and trade route through countries into South Vietnam. The journey through would not only help with weaponry, food, and goods but for plotting Guerilla Warfare as well. These items would be sent to supporters of the communist-led North government in the south. (Major Military Event)

  • John F. Kennedy was elected President

    John F. Kennedy was elected president as a democrat. He appeared though, in his time served, to be overwhelmed with the responsibilities of the Cold War. For example, the failure of overthrowing the Cuban leader and the construction of the Berlin wall. (Homefront).

  • Operation Ranch Hand

    This military tactic consisted of the U.S. spraying what was known as Agent Orange. This pesticide was a deadly herbicide, it sprayed onto crops, vegetation, and forest in South Vietnam. The purpose for this was to eliminate potential cover in Guerilla warfare for North Vietnam while in the south. (Major Military Event)

  • Ngo Dinh Diem assassinated

    Ngo Dinh Diem of South Vietnam was assassinated by U.S. soldiers without the permission of President Kennedy. This strengthened the U.S.'s role in foreign relations with Vietnam. By doing so they were defeating the communist rebels, which was an overall goal. (Major Military Event)

  • John F. Kennedy was assassinated

    Lee Oswald shot Kennedy while he was in a limo. Oswald was part of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee and a strong supporter of Fidel Castro and Russia. From here Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn into the presidency. (Homefront)

  • Johnson approves Operation Rolling Thunder

    In this operation, Johnson approved the long contemplated bombing of North Vietnam. This destruction would affect transportation routes between north and south Vietnam and prevent trade. Plenty of bombs were used and air crafts were destructed. (Major Military Event)

  • Norman Morrison at the Pentagon

    Normal Morrison of Baltimore lights himself on fire in front of the Pentagon. By side, was his 11-month old child who went unharmed. This act was done in protest of the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. (Homefront)

  • Tet Offensive

    This event consisted of North Vietnamese attacking hundreds of cities in South Vietnam. The reasoning was backed by a want for lessened U.S. involvement in Vietnam. Although news coverage of these attacks urged more Americans to retract their support for the U.S. war involvement and caused an overall worry. (Homefront)

  • My Lai Massacre

    The My Lai Massacre was one of the deadliest massacres in the entire Vietnam War. The U.S. soldiers killed hundreds of civilians who were mostly women, children, and unarmed citizens. The firing of weapons stopped when an Army aircraft landed amongst soldiers and threatened to open fire if the murdering did not stop. The destruction caused was covered up from the public eye, which would later cause an international uproar. (Major Military Event)

  • U.S. War Draft

    Since World War II, the second-largest lottery draft is instituted for the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. This fear of war also leads to many males fleeing to Canada for protection. (Homefront)

  • "Vietnamization" is announced

    President Nixon announces "Vietnamization", a term used to describe the ending of the Vietnam war. Under this proposition, American troops would be withdrawn from South Vietnam, and the south's army would be advanced to uphold responsibility for fighting. Although fighting continued, still involving the U.S. (Major Military Event)

  • Kent State Shooting

    At Kent State University 4 students were killed and 9 were injured after the National Guard opened fire in response to a protest against the Vietnam War. More specifically the Cambodia Invasion, by President Richard Nixson. The reaction of the guard influenced the opinions of the war for many Americans. (Homefront)

  • Pentagon Papers

    The New York Times article published a series of Pentagon Papers that depicted the increasing U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. From there the government fought the New York Times in a supreme court case, claiming the publishment breached national security. Although they ruled in favor that the paper was protected under the Freedom of Speech. (Homefront)

  • Americans depart from Vietnam

    The few remaining Americans were airlifted out of Vietnam as it was soon falling to a communist-led country. Thousands of Americans lost their lives to this war. (Homefront)