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President Eisenhower said that if VIetnam falls to Communism, the rest of Southeast Asia will do the same.
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France is forced to leave Vietnam, and Vietnam is divided into two. Elections are to be held in two years to reunify the country.
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After hiding in the jungle for many years, Ho Chi Minh returns to formally take over his Communist government.
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This is the first direct shipment of military aid. The US also offers to help train the South Vietnam Army.
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The agreement at Geneva said that Vietnam would have an election within two years to unify the country. South Vietnam, with the support of the US, refuses to participate.
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A North Vietnamese Army Group is instructed to build a supply route from North Vietnam to the Vietcong in South Vietnam. The trail runs along the Vietnam/Cambodia border.
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After writting a letter to South Vietnam's leader, President Kennedy promises to help South Vietnam. He sends military advisors and helicopters used to transport and direct South Vietnam in battle. This involves Americans in combat operations.
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Helicopters flown by US army pilots bring South Vietnamese soldiers into battle. This is the first American combat mission against Vietcong.
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This is when the US forces started using Agent Orange to uncover the locations of hidden Vietcong trails and traps.
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US congress passes Gulf of Tonkin Resolution that gives President Johnson power to take whatever actions he needs to defend Southeast Asia.
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Over 100 American fighter bombers attack targets in North Vietnam. It was scheduled to last 8 weeks, but instead lasted for 3 years.
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Napalm is a petroleum based bomb that has hundreds of explosive pellets upon impact.
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This is the largest American operation of the war. Their goal is to locate the Vietcong's headquarters in the Saigon area, but they are unable to find anything.
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It was one of the largest air mobile assualts ever, where 240 helicopters hoping to detroy Vietcong bases and the military headquarters for South Vietnam. This operation ends after 72 days, with Americans capturing many stores, weapons, and equipment.
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This is the turning point in the war. This was a surprise attack by the Vietcong and North Vietnam army on many towns and villages in South Vietnam. This was shown to the American people and they were shocked to see it all on their TVs in graphic color. It takes away most of the public support.
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President Nixon orders the secret bombing of Cambodia. He was targeting North Vietnamese supply centers located along the border.
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National Guard shoot and kill 4 students who were protesting the war.
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2 students are killed at a violent protest against the war at Jackson State.
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The Paris Peace Accords are signed by the US, North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and the Vietcong. In this, the US agrees to withdraw all military within 60 days. Vietnam is still divided, and South Vietnam is governed by President Thieu and the Vietcong.
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The last Americans leave Vietnam. Later, the South Vietnamese fall to North Vietnam. The war is over.
