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Geneva Accords
Conference that produced a resolution to the French Indochina War. Vietnam had gained independence and was cut at the 17th parallel to make it two nations. Ho Chi Minh was ruler of the North and Ngo Diem was the ruler of the South. -
Gulf of Tonkin Conflict and Resolution
The USS Maddox was fired upon by a North Vietnamese patrol boat along the coast of North Vietnam. President Johnson needed congressional approval to use military power in situations like these and congress gave him the power to use military action without the declaration of war. This gave Johnson a lot of power later on in the war. -
Diem Is Assasinated
The United States wanted Diem out of power however in a coup of his government he was assasinated against the wishes of President Kennedy and the US government. -
Operation Rolling Thunder Begins
US begins strategis bombing of Vietnam to pressure North Vietnam. It was one of the first large military involvements in the war. -
Tet Offensive
Thousands of North Vietnamese and Vietcong troops suprise attack cities and US troops. There were many casualties on the American side and morales were destroyed. It showed the American people the war was far from over and that it would be a rocky road. -
My Lai Massacre
US troops imvaded the village of My Lai and killed hundreds of innocent women and children. It swayed the minds of many citizens and was showing many Americans that being in Vietnam was not the right thing to do. -
Richard Nixon Elected President
Nixon won the race for president. He promised change for the American people and also promised to pull out of Vietnam and end the war but still keep America's dignity.
