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Domino Theory 1950s
It was the belief that Communism was going to spread from country to country. They thought that communism in one country would spread to the next and that pretty soon all of Indochina would be under communist rule. This scared America because of what was going on in the Cold War between Russia(USSR) and The United States. -
The Battle of Dien Bien Phu
It took place In Dien Bien Phu. It was a military stronghold for the French at the time and was at the bottom of a large valley. It was surrounded by Large mountains covered in a thick jungle. It was a strategic stronghold that the French needed to keep control over. The French lost the battle on May 7, 1954, and lost control of the region. They backed out of Vietnam soon after. -
Assassination of President Diem
South Vietnam President Diem went to America in 1940 to meet with John F. Kennedy to convince him that he would be a trustworthy and powerful leader to the Vietnamese people. The Americans supported him at first but quickly changed their mind when they realized he wasn’t going to listen and cooperate with them. He was not supported by The Vietnamese people. In the end, America supported a Coup that overthrew President Diem and he got assassinated while exiting the country. -
John F. Kennedy Assassination
John F. Kennedy was driving in his motorcade and was shot in the head. After his death, President Linden Johnson gained control of the white house and had a very different and more direct approach to dealing with the Vietnam war. President Linden Johnson started sending troops into Vietnam instead of just Advisors. -
Guerilla Warfare
Guerilla warfare is when you use knowledge of the terrain. Normally to avoid open battles, they use surprise attacks and launch raids. Guerilla warfare was first used for the Vietnam War in 1946 and continued to be used until the end of the war in 1975. Guerilla was very effective because of how well the Viet Minh/ Viet Cong knew the jungle terrain. -
Tonkin Gulf Resolution
It gave President Johnson the power to do whatever he needed in the Vietnam War to keep the peace in southeast Asia. President Johnson wanted to take a more direct action approach to fight in Vietnam which is the opposite of what President Kennedy wanted. -
Protests and peace movements
Americans were protesting against the government for its involvement in the Vietnam war and later against President Nixon, demanding a check of power. Over the years, it would influence America to scale back its involvement in the war. Protests and peace movements would die down after the U.S. dropped its involvement in the war in January 1973. -
Napalm, Agent Orange
The US would use jets to dump a chemical called napalm, this chemical would burn skin down to the bone in under 10 minutes. They would also use a herbicide mixture called Agent Orange, which was used to destroy the jungle cover. Napalm was used from 1965 to 1972, and Agent Orange was used from 1965 to 1970. These chemicals were used to try and counter guerilla combatants and Vietcong strongholds. -
Impact of media on public opinion of the war
The U.S. government gave the average person watching unprecedented access to the War through television. In 1967 war protests started to happen. This was because Americans were unhappy due to bad decisions made by the U.S. government about the war. Around 100,000 Americans gathered to protest against the government. More than 50,000 of the 100,000 protesters marched to the Pentagon to show their anger that the war was still happening. -
Tet Offensive (January 31st - September 23rd, 1968)
The Tet Offensive was a series of coordinated North Vietnamese attacks on over 100 cities and outposts in South Vietnam. The goal of the attacks was to provoke a rebellion of the South Vietnamese population in hope that it would influence the United States to lower its involvement in the war. Although the attacks were ultimately unsuccessful when news came to the American public, they were in disbelief and their support for the war dissipated. -
US Presidential election 1968
Republican Richard Nixon becomes president by defeating Democrat Hubert Humphrey in one of the closest elections in history. Nixon was able to win by the desperation of Americans to end the war by focusing his campaign on the “silent majority” and promising to “bring us together” and make “peace with honor” with Vietnam. -
Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890 - September 2, 1969)
Ho Chi Minh was the leader of Northern Vietnam., He was born with the name Nguyen Sinh Cung. Ho Chi Minh lived in France during World War 2 and during that time he started being more vocal about Vietnamese independence. He was a strong supporter and believer in the Bolshevik revolution and from that started following and believing in the communist ideas. He helped start the Indochinese Communist Party in 1930. -
Invasion of Cambodia
President Nixon authorized U.S. troops in South Vietnam to invade Cambodia (at the time a neutral nation) without notifying his Secretary of State William Rogers or Defense Secretary Melvin Laird. When heard of the act two days later, Nixon was accused by Congress of illegally growing U.S.’s involvement in the war without permission. -
Kent Shooting
The general of the guardsmen ordered for a crowd of 3000+ protestors of college students to disperse in which they refused. The guardsmen then advanced with bayonets and tear gas successfully dispersing the protestors. However, around 28 guardsmen who retreated fired shots at the air or people. 4 students were killed and 9 injured. -
Vietnamization
Created by the Nixon administration in Janurary, Vietnamization was a strategy for the U.S. to drop its involvement in the war and transfer all of its military responsibilities to South Vietnam. Nixon believed that Vietnamization would help South Vietnam prevent itself from being taken over by North Vietnam. -
Henry Kissinger negotiation (Vietnam Policy)
Henry Kissinger was the National Security Advisor, he was also the main influence on Americans foreign policy in Vietnam. He negotiated The Paris Peace Accords, which ended the American involvement in the Vietnam War. This negotiation was a ceasefire between the United States, North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and the PRG. -
Fall of Saigon
The Fall of the Saigon was when the People’s Army of Vietnam and Viet Cong captured the capital of South Vietnam. This day was known as the end of the Vietnam War and the start of new beginnings for the country. The new beginnings would start with a change of government. -
Socialist Republic of Vietnam claimed
After communism won, Vietnam stayed theoretically split. The country was ruined both politically and economically. This led to some resistance to policies from the metropolis Saigon. This issue made it clear that the Socialist Republic was needed in Vietnam. On July 2nd, 1976 the capital Hanoi proclaimed that their government would move into the Socialist Republic.
