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Domino Theory coined
President Dwight D. Eisenhower made the Domino theory, it is a Cold War policy that suggested a communist government in one nation would quickly lead to communist takeovers in neighboring states, each falling like a row of Domino's. -
Geneva Accords
4/26-7/21
establishes a ceasefire in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, officially ending the First Indochina War. In conclusion Vietnam would be temporarily divided at the 17th parallel. -
Assassination of Diem
Assassinated in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
President of South Vietnam
He and His Brothers were all captured and killed by a group of soldiers. Lead to political chaos in the nation. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
States that "congress approves and supports the determination of the President, as Commander in Chief, to take all necessary measures to repeal any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent any further aggression." <National Archive>Tonkin Gulf Resolution (1964) -
LBJ ordered 1st troops to Vietnam
“I guess we’ve got no choice, but it scares the death out of me. I think everybody’s going to think, ‘we’re landing the Marines, we’re off to battle." -LBJ
On March 1965, 3,500 soldiers came to south Vietnam as the first combat troops the U.S. dispatched. -
Tet Offensive
A series of North Vietnamese surprise attacks in South Vietnam.
A stunning propaganda victory for the communists.
named after the name from the Vietnamese New Year holiday, during which the attacks occurred.
1/31- 9/23
<Britannica> -
My Lai Massacre
More than 500 people were slaughtered
Women and and young girls were raped and mutilated before killed
U.S. Army officers covered it up until it was released into the war of what happened
The brutality of the My Lai massacre and the official cover-up fueled anti-war sentiment and further divided the United States over the Vietnam War.
Sparking a firestorm of international outrage. <History> My Lai Massacre -
Nixon’s Vietnamization policy
building up South Vietnam's armed forces and withdrawing U.S. troops, in other words saying that the combat roles were transferred to South Vietnamese troops. Allowing the gradual withdrawing from the US troops from south vietnam. -
Nixon sends troops into Cambodia
the results were a firestorm of protests and gave the antiwar movement a new rallying point.
Sending the troops in to Cambodia triggered a check on presidential power.
They went over to Cambodia to disrupt the north Vietnamese supply lines. -
Kent State shooting
known as the May 4 massacre, members of the Ohio National Guard fired into a crowd of Kent State University demonstrators, killing 4 unarmed university students. https://www.kent.edu/may-4-historical-accuracy -
Hard Hat Riot
Happened in New York City, construction workers stormed a student protest against the Vietnam War and chased both students and bystanders through the streets, beating and kicking them. <Archives>The Hard Hat Riots -
Nixon’s Christmas bombing
12/18-29
Operation Linebacker ll, Aerial bombing campaign.
Nearly two weeks, American bombers pounded North Vietnam.
North Vietnam claimed that over 1,600 civilians were killed. <History>Nixon announces start of “Christmas Bombing” of North Vietnam -
Paris Peace Accords
-The withdrawal of all U.S. and allied forces within sixty days.
-The return of prisoners of war parallel to the above.
-The clearing of mines from North Vietnamese ports by the U.S. -
War Powers Act
-Limit the U.S. president’s ability to initiate or escalate military actions abroad.
-requires that presidents notify Congress after deploying the armed forces and limits how long units can remain engaged without congressional approval. -
Saigon Falls
3/4-4/30 1975
North Vietnamese troops captured Saigon, and the city was renamed Ho Chi Minh City. After Ho Chi Minh Vietnamese Communist revolutionary leader.Britannica<Fall of Saigon