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Batte of Dien Bien Phu
Dien Bien Phu was the first confrontation between the Viet Minh and the French. Using chinese artillery, the Viet Minh made it impossible for the French to recieve supplies. The French were defeated on May 7th, 1954.
This is important because it was the climatic confrontation that withdrew the French's involvement in the Vietnam War. http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/vietnam/timeline.htm -
Geneva Convention
Nine nations gather in Geneva to discuss negotiations that will lead to unity and peace in Indochina. The Geneva Accords declared that Vietnam be separated into a North and South at the 17th Parallel until a general election could be held to reunify the country.
This convention was significant because the United States nor the State of Vietnam agreed to the terms. http://thevietnamwar.info/vietnam-war-timeline/ -
Creation of Republic of Vietnam
South Vietnam declares itself the Republic of Vietnam and issues a President. Ngo Dinh Diem defeats Bao Dai in the election and becomes President of the Republic of Vietnam.
This is important because there was now someone leading the communists in the war. http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm -
Communists Integrate into South Vietnam
Communists insurge into South Vietnam. Guerillas are used and they assasinate 400 South Vietnamese officials.
This is significant because it is the first indication of action being taken to bring communism into South Vietnam. http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/vietnam/timeline.htm -
First U.S. Servicemen Killed in Vietnam
Major Dale R. Ruis and Master Seargant Chester M. Ovnand were the first 2 Americans to be killed in South Vietnam. They were killed by a guerilla attack on a Military Assistance Advisory Group compound in Bienhoa.
This is important because it begins the realization that the war is going to have extreme casualites and that this is going to be a seroius war. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-americans-killed-in-south-vietnam?catId=15 -
John F. Kennedy Elected President
John F. Kennedy is elected President of the United States over Richard Nixon.
This is significant to the war because President Kennedy is now the leading man of the United States who helps decide the action that the United States takes in the Vietnam War. http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/vietnam/timeline.htm -
President Diem is Overthrown
Operatives in the South Vietnamese military overthrow President Diem with approval from the United States. Diem and his brother are exeucuted during a coup. http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/vietnam/timeline.htm -
President Kennedy is Assasinated
President Kennedy is assasinated in Dallas, Texas by Lee Harvey Oswald.
This is important because there was issue of who was going to direct how to proceed in Vietnam. VP Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn into presidency and became the delagator of events in Vietnam. http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/vietnam/timeline.htm -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident and Resolution
Three North Vietnamese PT boats fire torpedoes at the USS Maddox on August 2 and 4, 1964.
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution is passed by Congress which allows President Johnson freedom to take all necessary measures to prevent attacks against U.S. forces and to prevent further aggression in Vietnam.
This is important because it gives President Johnson the power to do whatever it takes to prevent further aggression and attacks on the U.S. http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/vietnam/timeline.htm -
Operation "Rolling Thunder"
This operation was a massive bombardment of air raids from the U.S. on North Vietnam. The purpose was to put millitary pressure on the communists in North Vietnam so that they would not have the ability to wage war on the U.S. protected, South Vietnam government.
This is a significant acount of the Vietnam war because it was the first sustained U.S. assault against North Vietnam and showed more U.S. involvement in the war. http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/operation-rolling-thunder -
MLK's Thoughts about War
MLK gave a speech titled "Beyond Vietnam", presenting his thoughts about the U.S. involvement in Vietnam. He stated that it would be best for the U.S. to stop bombing Vietnam and withdraw all troops from the war.
This is significant becuase a lot of people respected MLK and his beliefs. This caused major conflicts between those who believed the war should continue and those who did not. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/martin-luther-king-jr-speaks-out-against-the-war -
Paris Peace Talk
The talk of creating peace between the U.S. and the Nothern Vitenam communists begins on May 10, 1968 in Paris. The representative of the United States was W. Averell Harriman and for North Vietnam it was Xuan Thuy.
This is significant to the war because the peace talk was the first sign of a possible agreement to end the Vietnam war and create peace in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/vietnam/timeline.htm -
Richard Nixon as President
Richard Nixon was elected President in 1968 running off a platform of "law and order."
Shortly after his election, he begins a secret bombing of Cambodia in 1969 to destroy Communist supply routes and base camps. He does this without knowledge of Congress or the public.
This is important becuase this raid continues on for 14 months and it shows the lack of communication between Nixon and the public through his secrecy. http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/vietnam/timeline.htm -
The Pentagon Papers
The Pentagon Papers were published in the New York Times explaining U.S. policies in Vietnam on the basis of the military and the executive branch. Nixon's administration tries to stop the leak through the supreme court but the court rules in favor of the Times.
This is important because the American public is now able to access the information meant to be secret involving aspects of the war and how it is being handled. http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/vietnam/timeline.htm -
Cease-Fire Agreement
The Paris Peace Accords are signed in Paris to bring a cease-fire in Vietnam. It was signed by Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho. The intention was to bring peace and honor into Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
This is significant to the war because everyone thought that this was the end of the war and that the U.S. troops would finally be coming home when it was put into effect on January 28th. However, this was not the case. http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/vietnam/timeline.htm
