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Creation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam
When leader of Viet Minh, Ho Chi Minh, declares independence from French rule and announces the republic of Vietnam. After being under French control for many years, the Vietnamese people and government wanted to be "free." -
Declaring of the Republic of Vietnam
It was the public announcement of the Vietnam Independence. Many Vietnamese people gave their material and spiritual forces to fight for independence because they knew they deserved it. The declaration created a foundation for the Vietnamese people that they would have fundamental national rights. -
Battle of Dien Bien Phu
A Vietnamese battle fought with French that they won and brought an end to their colonial rule under the French. After winning, Vietnamese government found that there was an issue for how they wanted to "rule" their people. -
Creation of the 17th parallel between North and South Vietnam
The split between North and South Vietnam. North Vietnam wanted a communism lead government and South Vietnam wanted a democracy government. The split will eventually lead to the Vietnamese war. -
Establishment of the National Liberation Front
It was when the Viet Cong government decided they wanted some control on South and North Vietnam. It was there effect to overthrow the South Vietnam (so they could make it communists). Then their intent was to also reunite the South with the North Vietnam -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident and Resolution
The Gulf of Tonkin incident was when North Vietnamese warships purposely attacked two US naval ships on two different occasions. The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was when congress allowed President Johnson to take any safety measures he needed to keep the peace in Southeast Asia. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
Operation Rolling Thunder was a code name for an American bombing plan. The US were allies with South Vietnam because they were against communism and they bombed North Vietnam to stop the South from becoming communists. Conducted by the US Navy, it lasted quite a long time and it ended up forcing Ho Chi Minh to stop with his plans of overthrowing South Vietnam. -
US combat troops arrive in Vietnam
The United States goal during the Cold War was to stop the spread of communism and South Vietnam was being threatened by the north to become communists. The US decided to help the South Vietnamese government by giving them military support on the ground as well as the air. With sending troops in, the US helped the South during the Vietnam War. -
Tet Offensive
The Tet Offensive was when North Vietnam attacked more than 100 cities around South Vietnam. The North's goal was to push the US out of the Vietnam War and ultimately take over South Vietnam and make them have a communist government. Tet Offensive ended up hurting the Communists more than the South; killing around 50,000 communist troops. -
My Lai Massacre
The My Lai Massacre was one of the most notorious atrocities in the Vietnam War. Lt Calley told his troops that there were Viet Cong troops hiding in the village of My Lai. They then attacked the village; finding no Viet Cong soldiers; and killing 347-504 men, women, and innocent children. In a jet plane, Officer Warren and his crew attempted to stop the soldiers and evacuate civilians. In 1971, Lt Calley charged with premeditated murder with life in prison; getting free several years later. -
1968 Democratic National Convention
There was a democratic debate for the presidential election but outside the building, there were also several riots and protests against the Vietnam War. The Mayor of Chicago sent 12,000 police officers, and 6,000 US army soldiers. The TV saw it and it became a police riot where they were hitting any protester they saw and setting off tear gas. The protesters didn't give and instead fought back. After everything "settled," the "Chicago 7" were trialed for starting the riot. -
1968 Presidential Election
With LBJ out of the election now, many Democrats were in the running and there was a split of the Democrats into 4 groups. The groups were the traditional party leaders, idealistic young activists, small minorities, and the southern democrats. Running as a Republican, Nixon emerged as frontrunner and had many political strategies. Nixon got the votes of "silent majority" and the suburbs; winning the 1968 election. -
Tinker v. Des Moines
Mary Beth Tinker and others close to her showed up to school wearing a black armband to protest the Vietnam War. They were told to remove it or be suspended until they would take it off. Annoyingly wearing black the rest of the semester; her family sued the school for taking away 1st amendment rights while not distracting school. The court ruled that they were not doing anything wrong and it was not distracting the school day. She moved many and still stands high today. -
Woodstock 1969
Woodstock was one of the most famous concerts of all time. It was a message and it was supposed to symbolize peace and the idea of ending the war. It was to let people escape into music and spread their message of peace. -
Kent State University Protest
Outside of Kent State University, many kids were protesting against the Vietnam War and wanted to stop it. During the protest, many Ohio National Guards open fired in the crowd; killing four people and injuring nine. The shooting led to a student strikes around the world. Many believe the shooting had an impact on national politics and it split the country in half about the Vietnam War. -
Jackson State College Protest
Jackson State had been especially tense surrounding racism and civil rights. 100 black students stood at an intersection between the school "throwing pebbles at passing vehicles." There were a bunch of policemen and firefighters there trying to stop them. The group ended up moving in front of a girls dormitory. Cops started open firing near the door for reasons unclear for nearly 1 minute. 12 wounded and 2 killed. -
Pentagon Papers
They were news papers of people studying the origins and cause of the Vietnam War. They doubted the idea of the US being in the war and hiding secrets. The government tried to make the printing and writing stop; but it was concluded that they had the freedom and right to continue. -
Watergate
Watergate was a big scandal done by republicans trying to bug the democratic offices. Nixon was involved but his administration tried to cover it up for him. One of the guys arrested for the break in was found to be connected to Nixon. This led Nixon to resign; before he would be "fired." -
1973 Paris Peace Accords
It was the beginning of the US cease fire on Vietnam. It was a 60 day period when America and other troops stopped firing. This peace accord officially ends the direct US involvement in the Vietnam war. -
United States vs. Nixon
United States vs. Nixon was a formal court case and can also be known as the "Tapes Case." During court, the stated that a president is not allowed to cover themselves from the production of evidence in a criminal case. They basically stated that just because Nixon was president, doesn't mean he could be granted immunity. -
Fall of Saigon
The capital of South Vietnam Saigon fell to North Vietnam and their army. This basically ended the Vietnam war and North Vietnam won. Saigon was re-named and the country was under the rule of communism and North Vietnam
