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Passing of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
After a US ship was allegedly attacked by Northern Vietnam boats, Congress decided that the USA needed to be drawn into the war in Vietnam. This attack was later found out to never have happened, but the president used the information available to him at the time. The act gave the president the power to use military force against Vietnam without seeking permission from congress. This turned the USA from a bystander into a direct part of the war.
Photo Credit: National Archive -
Tet Offensive
The Tet Offensive was a big campaign launched by northern Vietnam against southern Vietnam and US troops there. It was bloody, but the US was able to retake all of the cities attacked by Northern Vietnam. However, the bigger impact of the event came at home where it made many think that the war would not be over soon. It also raised doubts about whether Johnson was even telling the truth about the war.
Photo Credit: US Army -
My Lai Massacre
The My Lai massacre was a tragedy that showed the brutality of the war. That day, the US army twenty-third infantry division was sent to destroy the village of My Lai because enemy fighters were said to be hiding there. The platoon thought they were ordered to kill women and children too. When they entered the city, there were no fighters or signs of booby traps. The soldiers then decided to gather up many of the villagers and kill them.
Photo Credit: My Lai Massacre Museum -
Publication of the Pentagon Papers
The Pentagon Papers were excerpts from a study during the Johnson administration that revealed the USA's intentions with Vietnam. It showed that the US desired to provoke Northern Vietnam to increase American involvement and that they planned on removing the Southern Vietnam President. The papers were brought to the media by someone who had worked on them, but the President attempted to no allow them to be published. However, the Supreme Court ruled that they could be published.
Photo Credit: AP -
America Ends Participation in the War
After public outcry against the war, Nixon new he needed to end it. Nixon used his favorable standing with China and Russia to negotiate peace with northern Vietnam. On Jan 1, 1973, Nixon signed an accord with the Northern Vietnam leader to end American participation in the war. The accord allowed Northern Vietnam troops to remain in South Vietnam, but forced American to withdraw its troops. However, they continued to aid the south, but not nearly as much.
Photo Credit: AP