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Domino Theory coined
President Dwight D. Eisenhower coins one of the most famous Cold War phrases when he suggests the fall of French Indochina to the communists could create a “domino” effect in Southeast Asia. The so-called “domino theory” dominated U.S. thinking about Vietnam for the next decade. -
Geneva Accords
They brought an end to the First Indochina War and marked the end of French influence in Southeast Asia. The Geneva Accords also helped lay the groundwork for the Second Indochina War, more commonly known as the Vietnam War. -
Assassination of Diem
Following the overthrow of his government by South Vietnamese military forces the day before, President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother are captured and killed by a group of soldiers. The death of Diem caused celebration among many people in South Vietnam, but also lead to political chaos in the nation. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
A joint resolution of the U.S. Congress passed in direct response to a minor naval engagement known as the Gulf of Tonkin Incident. It gave U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson authorization, without a formal declaration of war by Congress, for the use of military force in Southeast Asia. -
LBJ orders 1st troops to Vietnam
Under the authority of President Lyndon B. Johnson, the United States first deployed troops to Vietnam in 1965 in response to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident of August 2 and 4, 1964. On March 8, 1965, 3,500 U.S. Marines landed near Da Nang in South Vietnam, thereby escalating the Vietnam Conflict and marking the United States' first action of the subsequent Vietnam War. -
Tet Offensive
The Tet Offensive of was a coordinated series of North Vietnamese attacks on more than 100 cities and outposts in South Vietnam. The offensive was an attempt to foment rebellion among the South Vietnamese and encourage the United States to scale back its involvement in the Vietnam War. -
My Lai Massacre
A company of American soldiers brutally killed most of the people including women, children, and old men in the My Lai village. More than 500 people were slaughtered in the My Lai massacre, including young girls and women who were raped and mutilated before being killed. U.S. Army officers covered up the carnage for a year before it was reported in the American press, sparking a firestorm of international outrage. -
Nixon’s Vietnamization Policy
Vietnamization was a strategy that aimed to reduce American involvement in the Vietnam War by transferring all military responsibilities to South Vietnam. President Nixon believed his Vietnamization strategy, which involved building up South Vietnam’s armed forces and withdrawing U.S. troops, would prepare the South Vietnamese to act in their own defense against a North Vietnamese takeover and allow the United States to leave Vietnam with its honor intact. -
Nixon sends troops to Cambodia
Nixon believed North Vietnam was transporting troops and supplies through neighboring Cambodia into South Vietnam. He hoped that bombing supply routes in Cambodia would weaken the United States' enemies. Nixon waited 2 days before he told the public. -
Kent State Shooting
Four Kent State University students were killed and nine were injured when members of the Ohio National Guard opened fire on a crowd gathered to protest the Vietnam War. In its immediate aftermath, a student-led strike forced the temporary closure of colleges and universities across the country. -
Hard Hat Riot
Construction workers stormed a student protest against the Vietnam War and chased both students and bystanders through the streets, beating and kicking them. They did it because they were fed up with violence by antiwar demonstrators, by those who spat at the American flag and desecrated it. -
Nixon's Christmas bombing
Richard Nixon initiated a massive “carpet bombing” campaign in Northern Vietnam that was officially called “Operation Linebacker II” and also became known as the Christmas bombing campaign. More than 20,000 tons of explosives were dropped, including on civilians. It lasted for 11 days. -
War Powers Act
A congressional resolution designed to limit the U.S. president's ability to initiate or escalate military actions abroad. The law aims to check the executive branch’s power when committing U.S. military forces to an armed conflict without the consent of the U.S. Congress. It stipulates the president must notify Congress within 48 hours of military action and prohibits armed forces from remaining for more than 60 days. -
Pairs Peace Accord
The settlement included a cease-fire throughout Vietnam. In addition, the United States agreed to the withdrawal of all U.S. troops and advisors and the dismantling of all U.S. bases within 60 days. In return, the North Vietnamese agreed to release all U.S. and other prisoners of war. -
Saigon falls
The official end of the Vietnam War. It occurred after more than 30 years of near constant conflict in Vietnam, with Vietnamese nationalist and communist forces fighting for independence against the Japanese and French during and after World War II.