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My Lai Massacre
Late 1969, the American public discovered that unarmed women, children, and elderly people had been massacred by American soldiers. This order came from Lieutenant William Calley, who would later go to prison for his crimes. -
Nixon and Vietnamization
In order for the U.S. to start withdrawing, Nixon began a process known as Vietnamization which consisted of removing groups of US soldiers out of the war and letting the South Vietnamese take over more of the fighting. -
Kissinger and Linkage
Henry Kissinger tries to improve relations with the Soviet Union and China by persuading them to reduce their aid to North Vietnam -
National Guard kills students
When Nixon announced that American troops had invaded Cambodia, many Americans were upset because they believed this action expanded the war. At an anti-war protest at Kent State University, the National Guard killed 4 student demonstrators. -
Congress Repeals Gulf of Tonkin
Congress repealed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution which once gave the president complete control over the war. This was because Nixon was not handling the conflict well and demonstrated how the US should no longer be involved in the conflict. -
Leaked paper from the Pentagon
Daniel Ellsberg, a former member of the Department of Defense, leaked the Pentagon Papers to the New York Times, which contained information to expand the war. -
Christmas bombings
In order to force North Vietnam to agree to end the war, the United States dropped thousands of tons of bombs out of B-52s onto the North Vietnamese for 11 straight days. -
America pulls out of Vietnam
America and North Vietnam finally made peace with each other and agreed to end the conflict. The United States withdrew its troops and both sides exchanged prisoners of war. -
War Powers Act Passed by congress
The act required the president to inform congress within 48 hours of troops abroad and to withdraw them within 60 to 90 days unless congress approves. -
Memorial for those of Vietnam
In Washington DC a memorial was established for all Vietnam veterans which was a wall inscribed with all the names of those killed or missing in action in the war.