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Geneva Agreements
After the French lost the battle at Dien Bien Phu, it was decided that Vietnam was going to be officially divided at the 17th Parallel, creating North and South Vietnam. Importance: Now there is a huge division between the state, which will lead to terrible things. -
Eisenhower Supports South Vietnam
After not wanting to involve the US in the Vietnam war, Eisenhower decided it was the right thing to do to show support to Ngo Dihn Diem of South Vietnam. Importance: This is the first step involving America in the Vietnam War. -
North Invades South
North Vietnam enters South Vietnam with weapons. Importance: This accelerates the war for both sides, the North is ready to fight. -
National Liberation Front (NLF) Created
Diem and his supporters created this to fight against the Communists and to give an attempt to make peace between the North and South. Importance: This was the first attempt of peace since the war began, although the NLF was thought to not be that helpful. -
Death of Ngo Dinh Diem
Diem dies by assassination from an American coup who had planned it. Importance: Chaos abounded in South Vietnam, some rejoiced and some were very upset. Kennedy felt guilty for the chaos that was created, and how Diem died. -
Kennedy is Assassinated
The assassination of Kennedy happened just a mere 3 weeks after the death of South Korea's leader Diem. Importance: Lyndon B. Johnson takes over the White House and increases troops and financial support to South Vietnam, furthering US involvement with the war. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
It is said that the North Vietnamese attacked two US Navy ships at the Guld of Tonkin. Importance: This forced the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution a few days later which brought the US into military action. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
The US decided to air raid and attack North Vietnam in Operation Rolling Thunder. Importance: The US hoped to stop North Vietnamese trying to get into the South and spread communism. They wanted to destroy anything that was crucial for the North to succeed in the war. -
Protests Against Vietnam War
This was the first anti-war protest outside the Pentagon where people gathered to voice their opinions about getting the troops out of Vietnam. Importance: Some people of the US began to no longer support the Vietnam War, and just wanted the men home safe. -
US Troop Increase in Vietnam
An estimated 500,000 troops are in Vietnam at this point. Importance: The soldiers were beginning to doubt the US goverenment and why they are keeping the troops there and constantly sending more, when nothing seems to be working. -
Tet Offensive
North Vietnam decides to brutally attack 100 South Vietnam cities. Importance: Thousands of people die from the Communists and 500 innocent civilians die, as well. -
My Lai Deaths
US soldiers get to a breaking point when they kill 400 innocent My Lai people who were without any weapons. Importance: This event really shows how bad the troops need to get out of Vietnam, they are not helping the cause at all. -
Washington DC Protest
This was the largest anti-war protest in history, people really wanted the soldiers out because they started to find out the conditions of the Vietnam War. Importance: The US began to divide now because some people wanted the troops home and others believed that that was not patriotic, and wanted to keep the troops there. -
Christmas Bombings
The Christmas Bombings of Hanoi were from the US aimed towards North Vietnam because North Vietnam was not wanting peace yet. Importance: Since the US brutally attacked, North Vietnam finally agreed to end the fighting with South Vietnam. -
Troops Leave Vietnam
All American troops are allowed to now leave Vietnam. Importance: A lot of negative results occurred from the end of the war. Too much money was spent on the war which led to inflation and oil crises. The troops had a lot of psychological damage and physical damage. Also, they were exposed to the Agent Orange chemical.
