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British forces Depart Vietnam
Vietnam was left in the hands of the French at this point. This was important because it would soon lead to rebellion by the Viet Minh against French Union forces. This would start the First Indochina War. Picture Source:
Vietnamese leaders send congratulatory messages to mark France’s National Day. (2014, July 14). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.talkvietnam.com/2014/07/vietnamese-leaders-send-congratulatory-messages-to-mark-frances-national-day/ -
US creates Military Assistance and Advisory Group(MAAG)
Used to organize French requests for aide, advise on strategy, and used to train Vietnamese soldiers. This caused the US to be extremely invested in the war, having put in over $1 billion by 1954. Picture Source:
Military Assistance Advisory Group. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://the178th.tripod.com/2011/hist-maag.html -
Battle of Dien Bien Phu
This battle marked the end of French involvement in Vietnam, as well as the signing of the 1954 Geneva Accords. Vietnam was temporarily divided at the 17th parallel, which prevented Ho Chi Minh from controlling all of Vietnam.
Picture Source:
Battle of Dien Bien Phu. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.greatdreams.com/war/dien_bien_phu.htm -
Group 559 established
Used by the People's Army of Vietnam to move troops, weapons and materials from North Vietnam to South Vietnam. Was also used to build and maintain support facilites between the two countries. Primarily used as support for the Viet Cong.
Picture Source:
Vietnam - DMZ Tour - Part 1: Ho Chi Minh Trail, Highway 9 & Khe Sanh Combat Base - Teacher Trekker. (2014, October 1). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.teachertrekker.com/vietnam-dmz-tour-part-1/ -
Vice President Johnson visists Saigon
Declares Diem the "Winston Churchill of Asia." Johnson's main purpose in visiting Saigon was to assure Diem of more aid in giving South Vietnam a fighting force that would be able to withstand the pressure from the communists.
Picture Source:
Ngo Dinh Diem. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ngo_Dinh_Diem -
Kennedy Authorizes start of Operation Ranch Hand
U.S. Air Force's herbicide program in Vietnam. Agent Oragne was used part of an aerial defoliation program in an effort to deplete the resources of the guerrillas and forcing urbanization to US dominated cities.
Picture Source:
Agent Orange. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agent_Orange -
Laos Agreed upon to be off Limits
14 nations sign an agreement promising to respect the neutrality of Laos. This is important because Laos was located right next to Vietnam and was very vulnerable to being dragged into the whole ordeal, and this agreement prevented that from happening.
Picture Source:
Laos. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/la.html -
Battle of Ap Bac
South Vietnamese forces were outdone by the Viet Cong despite severely outnumbering the Viet Cong. This battle showed the ineptitude of the South Vietnamese army and of their leaders.
Picture Source:
Battle of Ap Bac. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ap_Bac -
Diem and his Brother overthrown and executed.
US officials had already been thinking about removing Diem from office when he was overthrown and killed. This is an important event to the war because South Vietnam entered a period of extreme political instability.
Picture Source:
Vietnam War - A Haiku Deck by Karli Hudson. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from https://www.haikudeck.com/vietnam-war-education-presentation-ouFQkn8AQq#slide-5 -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
confrontations involving North Vietnamese and US in the Gulf of Tonkin. It was claimed that US ships were fired upon by North Vietnamese torpedo boats. This incident is widely controversial and has it's validity questioned. It resulted in the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.
Picture Source:
Opsec News. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.opsecnews.com/gulf-of-tonkin-incident-false-flag-for-war-in-vietnam/ -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
"A joint resoluion 'to promote the maintenance of international peace and security in southeast Asia.'" Extremely significant because it allowed President Johnson the use of "conventional" military force in Southeast Asia without needing to go through Congress first.
Picture Source:
Vietnam War PPT. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.slideshare.net/springirving/vietnam-war-ppt (slide 16) -
Tet Offensive
One of the largest military campaigns of the war. Initiated by the Viet Cong against South Vietnam and their allies. SV and US initially lost several cities, but regained their composure and ultimately a defeat for the communists. US public support for the war declined after this incident.
Picture Source:
Chapter 11: American Military History, Volume II. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.history.army.mil/books/amh-v2/amh v2/chapter11.htm -
My Lai Massacre
Mass killing of between 347 and 504 unarmed South Vietnamese civilians by US Army soldiers. Increased US opposition to involvement in the Vietnam War. 26 soldiers were charged but not convicted.
Picture Source:
Jo Ellen Corrigan, The Plain Dealer. (n.d.). Plain Dealer exclusive in 1969: My Lai massacre photos by Ronald Haeberle. Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.cleveland.com/plain-dealer-library/index.ssf/2009/11/plain_dealer_exclusive_my_lai_massacre_photos_by_ronald_haeberle.html -
Kent State Shootings
Students were protesting the Cambodian Campaign and were shot by members of the Ohio National Guard. It amplified public opinion against the war.
Picture Source:
Kent State Shootings. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kent_State_shootings -
Signing of Paris Peace Accords
Intended to establish peace in Vietnam and end Vietnam War. Was finally signed after negotiations that had lasted since 1968.
Picture Source:
Paris Peace Accords. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Peace_Accords
