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The Gulf of Tonkin Incident
Description: North Vietnamese patrol boats allegedly attacked the USS Maddox in the Gulf of Tonkin. In response, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving President Johnson broad military powers in Vietnam.
Significance to the Road to Revolution: This marked the official escalation of U.S. involvement in Vietnam, sparking widespread protests and distrust in government among American citizens. -
Tet Offensive
During the Vietnamese New Year (Tet), North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces launched surprise attacks on more than 100 cities and outposts in South Vietnam, including the U.S. Embassy in Saigon.
Significance to the Road to Revolution: Though a military failure for the North, the offensive shocked the American public and media, increasing anti-war sentiment and showing that victory was not near. -
Mai Lai Massacre
Description: U.S. soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians in the village of My Lai. The event was initially covered up but later exposed by journalists and whistleblowers.
Significance to the Road to Revolution: The massacre fueled outrage and anti-war protests, and it became a symbol of the moral failures and brutality of the war. -
Kent State Shootings
Description: During a protest against the Cambodian Campaign, the Ohio National Guard opened fire on unarmed college students at Kent State University, killing four and wounding nine.
Significance to the Road to Revolution: This intensified public resistance to the Vietnam War and showed how deeply divided and volatile the U.S. had become over the conflict. -
Fall of Saigon
Description: North Vietnamese forces captured Saigon, marking the end of the Vietnam War. U.S. personnel and at-risk South Vietnamese were evacuated in a chaotic helicopter airlift.
Significance to the Road to Revolution: It marked the ultimate failure of U.S. intervention in Vietnam and deeply reflected American foreign policy and military engagement abroad.