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US Sends Aid
On November 1st, 1955,
President Truman sent the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) to Vietnam to help the French use American aid to fight North Vietnam. This was significant because it marked the beginning of involvement in the war from the United States.
Image caption: political cartoon of the US giving aid to soldiers.
Image credit: timetoast.com -
Kennedy is Assassinated
President Kennedy is assassinated and Lyndon Johnson became the new President. This is significant because he would continue to escalate the war with Vietnam.
Image caption: President Kennedy moments before his tragic assassination.
Image credit: Public Domain -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which authorized the president to "take all necessary measures, including the use of armed force". This was significant because it let the President attack without going through Congress first.
Image caption: President Johnson signing his "Gulf of Tonkin Resolution".
Image credit: "President Johnson signs 'Gulf of Tonkin' Resolution", www.cfr.org -
US Air Strike
U.S. ships were allegedly shot at by enemy troops which led to President Johnson calling for air strikes. This was also important because it felt like a personal attack on America and riled up the citizens.
Image caption: U.S. planes ready to take off for their air strike.
Image credit: (AP Photo/Pool, File) -
U.S. Withdraws from the War
The representatives of the U.S., South and North Vietnam, and Vietcong signed the Paris Peace Accords. This is significant because it ended created a ceasefire and ended direct U.S. military involvement in the war.
Image caption: Original newspaper with the headline "Peace Accord Is Signed", signaling the end of the war for America.
Image credit: "Vintage JAN 27, 1973 KANSAS CITY STAR Paris Peace Accord Is Signed Vietnam War", ebay.com