-
Domino Theory
This was the notion that a communist takeover in Indochina would lead other Asian nations to follow suit. This theory basically explained the strategic importance of South Vietnam to the United States. -
Geneva Accords
In July 1954, the Geneva Agreements were signed. As part of the agreement, the French agreed to withdraw their troops from northern Vietnam. Vietnam would be temporarily divided at the 17th parallel, pending elections within two years to choose a president and reunite the country. -
Assassination of Diem
The brutal assassination of South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem during the coup that overthrew his government on November 2,1963. Believes to be a overthrow by the CIA and the US Government because of his radical ways and un-popularity. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
It was an attack on two U.S. naval destroyers stationed off the coast of Vietnam. The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution effectively launched America's full-scale involvement in the Vietnam War. This gave the president power to take any military measure he though was necessary to defend freedom in Southeast Asia. -
LBJ ordered 1st troops to Vietnam
On 8 March 1965, two battalions of U.S. Marines waded ashore on the beaches at Danang. Those 3,500 soldiers were the first combat troops the United States had dispatched to South Vietnam. This would lead to the eventual Vietnam War. -
Tet Offensive
The Tet Offensive of 1968 was a coordinated series of North Vietnamese attacks on more than 100 cities and outposts in South Vietnam. In spite of the presence of some 500,000 American military personnel in Vietnam, three years of fighting and heavy casualties had yielded nothing more than a bloody stalemate. -
My Lai Massacre
The My Lai massacre was an attack on the Vietnamese village of My Lai during the Vietnam War, when hundreds of civilians were raped and murdered. the estimated number was about 500 civilians. When the U.S. population found out it caused a uproar and protests ensued. -
Nixon’s Vietnamization policy
Vietnamization intended to reduce the role of American troops in Vietnam and provide training to South Vietnamese forces to continue the fight against North Vietnam without the United States. -
Nixon sends troops into Cambodia
American ground troops were deployed to northern Cambodia on April 28, 1970. When President Richard Nixon ordered U.S. ground troops to invade Cambodia on April 28, 1970, he waited two days to announce on national television the Cambodian incursion had begun. -
Kent State shooting
Members of the Ohio National Guard fired into a crowd of Kent State University demonstrators, killing four and wounding nine Kent State students. The impact of the shootings was dramatic. -
Hard Hat Riot
In front of Federal Hall and under the statue of George Washington, construction workers stormed a student protest against the Vietnam War and chased both students and bystanders through the streets, beating and kicking them. It sparked two weeks of protests, counter protests and marches. -
Nixon’s Christmas bombing
AKA Operation Linebacker II was massive “carpet bombing” campaign in Northern Vietnam. This was initiated by Richard Nixon and the effect was that it forced NV to resume peace talks -
Paris Peace Accords
The settlement included a cease-fire throughout Vietnam. In addition, the United States agreed to the withdrawal of all U.S. troops and advisors (totaling about 23,700) and the dismantling of all U.S. bases within 60 days. In return, the North Vietnamese agreed to release all U.S. and other prisoners of war. -
War Powers Act
The War Powers Resolution is a federal law intended to check the U.S. president's power to commit the United States to an armed conflict without the consent of the U.S. Congress. This was over the veto of Pres. Richard Nixon -
Saigon Falls
On April 30, 1975, the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese Army, effectively ending the Vietnam War. This was after the NVA broke the cease-fire treaty with the United States and invaded South Vietnam yet again. This was the final battle of the Vietnam War.