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Vietnam Independence
A Vienamese man by the name of Ho Chi Minh, who supported the United States in World War 2 against Japan, became the leader of Vietnam after declaring independence from France shortly after the war. Though his leadership originally seemed like a good idea to the United States, they began to question their opinion after hearing from France. -
US & France Become Allies
The French were displeased with their loss of control over Vietnam. They needed assistance to gain back their power. Meanwhile, the United States needed help defeating the Soviets in Europe. The two countries decided to cooperate in order to reach their goals. -
Battle of Dien Bien Phu
After years of accepting financial aid from the United States during their war against Vietnam, the French were finally defeated during the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. The battle lasted approximitely two months. -
The Geneva Accords
The Geneva Accords was a conference held in Vietnam that determined a peaceful removal of the French. Additionally, the country decided to split in half creating North Vietnam, a communist state led by Ho Chi Minh, and South Vietnam, an anti-communist state. Under the presidency of Dwight Eisenhower, United States military advisors slowly began to help the weak South Vietnam become strong in addition to providing financial aid. -
Election of 1960
John F Kennedy became the President of the United States after the election of 1960. He rapidly continued to send military advisors and financial support to South Vietnam. -
Linden B Johnson
Vice President Linden B Johnson was sworn into presidency after the assassination of John F Kennedy. -
Assassination of John F Kennedy
After John F Kennedy was assassinated, the United States had to make a decision whether to carry on ties with South Vietnam. The state was so corrupt that many of the buddhists of South Vietnam were making political statements against the government by setting themselves on fire in public. Despite this extreme behavior displayed by their allies, the United States just wanted to prevent the spread of communism by North Vietnam. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
A United States vessel was patrolling an area near North Vietnam due to a conflict that South Vietnam was having that was unrelated to its northern half. North Vietnam attempted a minor attack on the vessel with no violent consequences. A couple of nights later, the US vessel returned to the area and reported a possible second attack by North Vietnam, yet concluded that it was a mistake. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Just a few days after the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, LBJ decided to go ahead and extend relations with South Vietnam. He left out major details, like how there was no sign of a second attack by North Vietnam, in order to gain approval from both congress and the American people. More military men were then sent to South Vietnam to fight against North Vietnam. -
Tet Offensive
During the several years of ongoing combat in Vietnam, there was quite a bit of guerrilla warfare. However, the events that occurred during the Tet Offensive marked a turning point. North Vietnam surprised both the American soldiers and the South Vietnamese by attacking cities and towns all over the state. Though these battles were victorious for the United States and South Vietnam, the American public was outraged. Prior to news of Tet Offensive, they were told that the war was coming to an end -
LBJ Drops Out of Election
Following the Tet Offensive, protests against the Vietnam War were becoming more widespread. Many Americans were losing respect for LBJ. Although he won in his first primary election, it was only by six points. LBJ lost confidence in maintaining his presidental position in addition to wanting to focus more on ending the war, which caused him to drop out of the Election of 1968. -
Vietnamization
Once LBJ dropped out of the Election of 1968, President Richard Nixon was elected into office. He proposed a strategy in which he titled Vietnamization that could put an end to the Vietnam War. Vietnamization included building up the South Vietnamese military so that they could finish the war as American soldiers would be withdrawn. -
Invasion in Cambodia Leads to Kent State Killings
President Nixon announced that US military would invade Vietnam's neighboring country Cambodia. The American public again felt disappointed and lied to. The amount of protests against the war increased and some even became violent, particularly at Kent State University in Ohio. The protest became so intense that the National Guard was called to the scene and four students wound up dead, one paralyzed. Only two of the students who died were involved in the protest, the other two just passing by. -
Easter Offensive
During what was known as the Easter Offensive, the North Vietnamese once again surprise attacked the US miltary and South Vietnam. -
Operation Linebacker
In response to the Easter Offensive, President Nixon authorized an attack in North VIetnam. The battles lasted for several months. -
Paris Peace Accords
The Paris Peace Accords brought about a ceasefire to discuss peace. North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and the United States came to an agreement that all American soldiers were to be withdrawn from the area, including prisoners of war. Additionally, North and South Vietnam were to unify again in a peaceful manner. -
Foreign Assistance Act
The Foreign Assistance Act of 1974 was signed in order to stop all financial aid from the United States to South Vietnam. With no more aid or US troops to help out, South Vietnam became very weak again. This led to the North Vietnamese fighting until South Vietnam surrendered. -
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam
North and South Vietnam unify to become communist. -
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was built in 1982. The wall that honors those who lost their lives still stands in Washington DC and is open to the public today.
