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Eisenhower Delivers "Domino Theory" Speech
Eisenhower's "domino theory" speech laid the foundation for U.S. involvement in Vietnam. He used the "domino principle" as a way to say if we conquer Vietnam then the other communist Asian countries would fall. -
Geneva Accords
The French agreed to withdraw from Vietnam.Vietnam would be divided at the 17th parallel, North and South. Pending elections, no foreign troops could enter Vietnam for two years. -
Diem becomes President of Vietnam
Ngo Dihn Diem captures 98.2% of the vote. Charges of corruption are brought up because 400,000 of the voters in Saigon cast 600,000 ballots. Nothing was done about the corruption and Diem is declared President until his assination on November 2, 1963. -
Communist Insurgency into South Vietnam begins
Communist insurgent activity in South Vietnam begins. Guerrillas assasinate more than 400 South Vietnamese officials. Thirty-seven armed companies are organized along the Mekong Delta. -
John F. Kennedy Elected President
John F Kennedy was a strong believer in containing communism. He supported Eisenhower's "domino theory." He suported Diem's democratic government in South Vietnam. -
Vietcong Formed
Hanoi forms National Liberation Front. Prime Minister Ngo Dihn Diem calls them 'Viet Cong'. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
On August2,1964, USS Maddox, an American destroyer was attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin by three North Vietnamese torpedo boats while conducting an intelligence mission. -
Tet Offensive Begins
The Tet a lunar holiday for Vietnam and the N. Vietnamese Army call acease fire. But early in the morning, the N. Vietnamese and Viet Cong pull a sneak attack. and capture key cities including Saigon.Days later American forces recapture those cities and it is a huge defeat for Communism. -
My Lai Massacre
A company of American soldiers lead by Lt. Calleykilled the majority of the population of the village of My Lai.. There was a cover up by the U.S. Army which led to an investigation where 14 officers were charged. Lt. Calley was the only one that was sentenced because he ordered the killings. -
Nixon Begins Secret bombing of Cambodia
President Nixon ordered the bombing of Cambodia without the knowledge or approval of Congress. The reason for the bombings was to disrupt the supply routes used by the Vietnamese. More bombs were used in this campaign than in Japan. It is estimated that 500,000 people lost their lives. -
Paris Peace Accords
The Paris Peace Accords were signed by North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and the United States with certain conditions on all sidesin hopes of ending the war. -
Vietnam Evacuation Day
The fall of Saigon to the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong. South Vietnamese are being lead outby U.S. troop by air craft and helicopters. Vietnam is now left to the Communists. -
"Boat People" flee Vietnam
The Vietnamese, Cambodians,Laotians were fleeing out of fear from the North Vietnamese government. Due to retaliation for fighting with the U.S. and China. Many were lost at sea or captured by pirates and sold into slavery. Many surounding countries rejected them. -
Vietnam Invades Cambodia
Pol Pot was determined to overthrow the government of Vietnam. Vietnam invades Cambodia and Vietnamese took over Cambodia and killed Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge. -
Sino-Vietnamese War
China invades Vietnam because Vietnam invaded Cambodia. The invasion of Cambodia ended the rule of the Chinese supported Khmer Rouge.Deng Xiaoping thought that the U.S.S.R was trying to expand their control to Southeast Asia since they were Vietnam's ally.
