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"Domino Theory" Coined
First called the "falling domino principal" by Dwight D. Eisenhower, this theory states that the fall of Indochina (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam) to communism would lead to many other countries following their example. https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/domino-theory#what-was-the-domino-theory -
Geneva Accords
This meeting between Indochinese countries including Vietnam and Cambodia, the US, USSR, France, and the UK declared a ceasefire at the 17th parallel. The discussion managed to bargain the Viet Minh down to half of Vietnam's land after they had controlled three-quarters of it. https://www.britannica.com/event/Geneva-Accords -
Ngo Dinh Diem Assassinated
Only three weeks before the JFK assassination, Ngo Dinh Diem, the seemingly corrupt leader of North Vietnam ended up dead alongside his brother at the hands of South Vietnamese soldiers. This marked the entrance of the US into the Vietnam conflict. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ngo-dinh-diem-assassinated-in-south-vietnam -
Tonkin Gulf Resolution
The Tonkin Gulf Resolution was addressed to the US in order to announce the retaliation against North Vietnamese attacks on the USS Maddox. The resolution enabled LBJ to begin the US' official entry into the conflict. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/tonkin-gulf-resolution#:~:text=It%20stated%20that%20%22Congress%20approves,President%20Nixon%2C%20relied%20on%20the -
LBJ Ordered The First Troops to Vietnam
3500 soldiers were deployed to Vietnam to support the Saigon government in quelling the growing amount of revolutionaries. https://prde.upress.virginia.edu/content/Vietnam -
Tet Offensive
The Tet Offensive was a sly move by the North Vietnamese and their Viet Cong allies to attack many different South Vietnamese cities on their most important holiday, Tet. This string of attacks was the climax of the war, as even America's hawks dropped support of the war. https://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/tet-offensive -
My Lai Massacre
One of the most brutal atrocities commited in the Vietnam war, the My Lai Massacre began when the My Lai village was thought to have housed Viet Cong soldiers. Instead of enemies, the US Charlie company found over 500 innocent elderly men, women, and children. These villagers were promptly rounded up and shot, leaving not even a single infant alive. https://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/my-lai-massacre-1 -
Vietnamization
Vietnamization was the move of the US military to gradually transfer all war duties to the South Vietnamese in an effort to leave the war. This seemed to be primarily unsuccessful as South Vietnam's capital was quickly captured following the US withdrawal. https://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/vietnamization#section_3 -
Nixon Sends Troops Into Cambodia
The "Ho Chi Minh trail," a supply route for Viet Cong, ran through Cambodia and Laos. Cambodia had not been cleared for warfare to take place prompting outrage over Nixon's reckless orders. https://www.history.com/news/nixon-war-powers-act-vietnam-war-cambodia#:~:text=Corbis%2FGetty%20Images-,Following%20months%20of%20secret%20U.S.%20bombings%20on%20Communist%20bases%2C%20American,the%20Cambodian%20incursion%20had%20begun. -
Kent State University Shooting
When anti-war activists could not be quelled at Kent State University, four students were shot by the Ohio National Guard. This event sparked outrage from Americans around the country and led to Nixon and the war truly losing favor among the US. https://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/kent-state-shooting -
Hard Hat Riot
After the four deaths at Kent State University, anti-war protestors gathered to speak out against president Nixon's administration and the Vietnam war. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/hard-hat-riot-1970-pitted-construction-workers-against-anti-war-protestors-180974831/ -
Nixon's "Christmas Bombing"
Just five days after peace talks with the North Vietnamese ended in failure, President Nixon ordered the constant bombing of enemy land. These bombings lasted 11 days. Historians' views are conflicted on whether the bombing had an impact on the surrender which concluded them. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nixon-announces-start-of-christmas-bombing-of-north-vietnam -
Paris Peace Accords
The US, South, and North Vietnam formally end the Vietnam war after signing "An Agreement Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam." This agreement also freed all US prisoners of war as well as sending home everyone still stationed in Vietnam. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/paris-peace-accords-signed -
The Fall of Saigon
The capture of Saigon, the Capital of Vietnam, spelled the end of the war. Due to the withdrawal of US support, mass spending, rising fuel prices, and twenty-four thousand troops deserting their ranks every month, Saigon was left defenseless. https://www.britannica.com/event/Fall-of-Saigon -
War Powers Act
After outrage over Nixon's invasion of Cambodia in pursuit of Viet Cong supply lines, the War Powers Act sought to limit the executive power concerning war. This included the president's ability to extend wars without congressional approval. https://www.britannica.com/topic/War-Powers-Act