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Eisenhower and his "Domino Theory"
If one country came under communist influence or control, its neighboring countries would soon follow in a domino effect. https://thevietnamwar.info/domino-theory/ -
Geneva Accords signed
Focused primarily on resolving the war between French forces and those of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV), led by the nationalist-communist Ho Chi Minh. -
US supported coup of Diem.
United States should support Diem, while encouraging him to broaden his government and establish more democratic institutions. - President Einsenhower https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/united-states-decides-to-support-diem -
Ngo Dinhn Diem refuses take part in elections
Diem knew that the Communist-controlled north would not allow free elections and that Ho Chi Minh would almost certainly have won as a result. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
Gradual and sustained aerial bombardment campaign conducted by the US 2nd Air Division, US Navy, and Republic of Vietnam Air Force against the VC. -
LBJ announces he will not run from re-elections
"I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your president," -
Tet offensive
Series of surprise attacks by the VC and North Vietnamese forces, on scores of cities, towns, and hamlets throughout South Vietnam. -
My Lai massacre
A company of American soldiers brutally killed most of the people—women, children and old men— in the village of My Lai. More than 500 people were slaughtered, including young girls and women who were raped and mutilated before being killed. U.S. Army officers covered up the carnage for a year before it was reported in the American press. https://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/my-lai-massacre -
Nixon wins the Elections
Won the Elections on 30 states, with 287 votes. (Votes needed to win 270) -
Vitnamization introduced
The plan was to encourage the South Vietnamese to take more responsibility for fighting the war. http://spartacus-educational.com/VNvietnamization.htm -
Woodstock festival
Was the pop culture music event of the decade and arguably to this day the single most profound event in the history of music. Celebration of peace and music. -
Invasion of Cambodia
President Nixon declared to a television audience that the US military troops, with the South Vietnamese Army, were to invade Cambodia; under the pretext of disrupting the North Vietnamese supply lines, bomb and destroy the Viet Cong base camps. -
Kent State University student shot
Four students were killed and nine were injured, when members of the Ohio National Guard opened fire on a crowd gathered to protest the Vietnam War. -
Pentagon papers printed in NY
Secret unit in the Pentagon collect many internal government documents relating to the Vietnam War, to give officials a clearer view of the decisions that put the United States on an increasingly crisis-ridden path. -
Fall of Saigon
Was the capture of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam by the VC
