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Eisenhower explains domino theory
Eisenhower believed that when one country fell to communism so would the nexr. He called this his "domino theory". -
Ngo Dihn Diem refuses to take part in elections
Ngo Dihn Diem refused to participate in an election to unite north and south Vietnam. Him and the U.S. knew they were going to lose so hey did not participate in the election. -
Geneva Accords signed
Geneva Accords signed at the Geneva conference giving independence to Vietnam and dividing it into north and south Vietnam at the 17th parallel. -
Vietcong began attacks on the Diem government
In 1957 the Vietcong (military that lived in South Vietnam but was opposed to Diem and favored communism) started attacking the Diem government in an effort to overthrow him and unite North and South Vietnam. -
US Troop levels incresed to 50,000
U.S. troop deployment U.S. troop deployment to Vietnam reached 50,000. It was the beginning of the U.S. sending troops to Vietnam. -
Gulf of Tonkin resolution
Gave Johnson the power to take whatever he thought were necessary to retaliate against North Vietnam and the Vietminh. Did not declar war. -
Operation Rolling Thunder began
U.S. military aircrafts started attacking and bombing targets throughout North Vietnam. Intended to put military pressure on North Vietnam. -
U.S. Troop levels increased to 180,000
U.S. troop deployment U.S troop deployment to Vietnam increased to 180,000 in 1966. Started sending more troops to Vietnam. -
U.S. Troop levels increase to 500,000
U.S. troop deployment U.S. troop deployment to Vietnam increased to 500,000 in 1968. Dramatic increase in the past few years. People didn't want the U.S. to send anymore troops to Vietnam. -
Tet offensive
North Vietnam and Vietcong troops attack over 100 cities and towns on the lunar new year called Tet. Attacks died down before. Was not expected. -
Johnson announces that he will not run for re-election
Presedent Johnson gave a speech on March 31, 1968 announcing that he willl not run for re-election later that year. -
Nixon wins the election
Nixon won the election fairly easily in 1968 over Herbert Humphrey and George Wallace. -
Kent State Massacre
Protest held at Kent State University to get the American government to pull troops out of Vietnam. Military came in and shot 4 students. -
Fall of Saigon
U.S. pulled troops out of Vietnam abandoning people in South Vietnam. Many people rushed to get onto the final helcopter as North Vietnam took over the South Vietnam city of Saigon.
