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Vietnam Declares Independence
Vietminh movement, led by Ho Chi Minh, declared a new state, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and tries to be independent of French colonization.
This could be considered the kickstarter event of the war.
Source:
“Vietnam War." Europe Since 1914: Encyclopedia of the Age of War and Reconstruction. Ed. John Merriman and Jay Winter. Vol. 5. Detroit: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2006. 2648-2651. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 8 July 2015. -
SEATO
Secretary of State John Foster Dulles completed the establishment of the southeast Asia Treaty Organization which supported Saigon. As a result, the French leave Vietnam and the U.S. is in charge of creating a strong government in South Vietnam. Source:
Kagan, Richard C. "Vietnam War." Encyclopedia of Modern Asia. Ed. Karen Christensen and David Levinson. Vol. 6. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2002. 76-82. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 8 July 2015. -
Diem Is Overthrown
The southern Viet Minh launched a campaign of terrorism that escalated a guerrilla war against Diem's government starting in 1957. On November 2, 1963, Diem is overthrown and executed. General Duong Van Minh comes into power. Sources:
"Vietnam War." International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. Ed. William A. Darity, Jr. 2nd ed. Vol. 8. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2008. 612-617. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 8 July 2015. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
A U.S. ship is attacked by North Vietnamese patrol boats in the international waters fo the Gulf of Tonkin. The ship was allegedly attacked again on August 4th, causing the President to take action. Source:
Berman, William C. "Tonkin Gulf Resolution." Dictionary of American History. Ed. Stanley I. Kutler. 3rd ed. Vol. 8. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2003. 142-143. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 8 July 2015. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Due to the attacks on the U.S. ship in the Gulf of Tonkin, President Johnson has the Gulf of Tonkin resolution passed to charge the North Vietnamese of aggression against their neighbors and as a way of giving the president power to use whatever means necessary to solve the issues in Vietnam. Source:
Berman, William C. "Tonkin Gulf Resolution." Dictionary of American History. Ed. Stanley I. Kutler. 3rd ed. Vol. 8. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2003. 142-143. Gale Virtual Reference Library. -
Tet Offensive
Vietcong guerrillas did a series of coordinated attacks throughout South Vietnam during the Tet holiday-a time when they were not expected to attack.
This causes the U.S. to realize their current tactics in the war are not successful and they change them.
Source:
“Vietnam War." Europe Since 1914: Encyclopedia of the Age of War and Reconstruction. Ed. John Merriman and Jay Winter. Vol. 5. Detroit: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2006. 2648-2651. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 8 July 2015. -
My Lai Massacre
The My Lai massacre was an event where American soldiers brutalized and murdered between 300-500 unarmed women, children and elderly men.
Later, some of those involved are tried by the U.S. Army, showing some of the disorganization and damage done by the war. Source:
"Vietnam War." UXL Encyclopedia of U.S. History. Sonia Benson, Daniel E. Brannen, Jr., and Rebecca Valentine. Vol. 8. Detroit: UXL, 2009. 1630-1637. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 8 July 2015. -
Ho Chi Minh dies
Ho Chi Minh dies and leaves his will urging the North Vietnamese to continue fighting. He is succeeded by Le Duan.
Ho Chi Minh's legacy and will is then carried out by Le Duan. Source:
http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/vietnam/index-1969.html -
Peace Demonstration
"The 'Mobilization' peace demonstration draws an estimated 250,000 in Washington for the largest anti-war protest in U.S. history."
This showed the unrest at home and the fact that many Americans were not in favor of the war.
Source:
Kagan, Richard C. "Vietnam War." Encyclopedia of Modern Asia. Ed. Karen Christensen and David Levinson. Vol. 6. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2002. 76-82. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 8 July 2015. -
Kent State University Protest
Four college students protestors are shot and killed at Kent State University in Ohio.
This also shows the unrest at home and a lack of preparedness to handle those who were displeased with government decisions. Source:
http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/vietnam/index-1969.html -
Troops Leave Vietnam
America begins to withdraw troops under the orders of President Nixon. 150,000 troops leave in 1970, an additional 100,000 leave in 1971 and the last U.S. ground troops leave on August 23, 1972.
Source:
Kagan, Richard C. "Vietnam War." Encyclopedia of Modern Asia. Ed. Karen Christensen and David Levinson. Vol. 6. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2002. 76-82. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 8 July 2015. -
B-52 Bombing Campaign
On this date, President Richard Nixon ordered the B-52 bombing campaign in order to force North Vietnam to resume peace talks.
Even though troops were out of Vietnam, the U.S. still had its hands in the affairs of Vietnam. Source:
Kagan, Richard C. "Vietnam War." Encyclopedia of Modern Asia. Ed. Karen Christensen and David Levinson. Vol. 6. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2002. 76-82. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 8 July 2015.
Image depicts a crashed B-52 bomber in a lake in Vietnam. -
Peace Agreement
Peace agreement initialed by Henry Kissinger (Secretary of State) and Le Duc Duc Tho, representatives from the Republic of Vietnam and the Provisional Revolutionary government in South Vietnam.
Here, steps are made to end U.S. involvement in the war.
Source:
Kagan, Richard C. "Vietnam War." Encyclopedia of Modern Asia. Ed. Karen Christensen and David Levinson. Vol. 6. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2002. 76-82. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 8 July 2015. -
POW's Released
On this date 588 prisoners of war are released by the communists and the remaining POW's are released in April. Source:
Kagan, Richard C. "Vietnam War." Encyclopedia of Modern Asia. Ed. Karen Christensen and David Levinson. Vol. 6. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2002. 76-82. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 8 July 2015.
