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Period: to
The Vietnam War
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Vietnamese occupy the French
Vietnamese forces occupy the French command post. French cease fire. -
South Vietnam
South Vietnam declares itself the Republic of Vietnam, with newly elected Ngo Dinh Diem as president. -
Election
John F. Kennedy wins the 1960 presidential election over Richard Nixon. -
Kennedy pushes for more support
President John F. Kennedy orders more help for the South Vietnamese government in its war against the Vietcong guerrillas. U.S. backing includes new equipment and more than 3,000 military advisors and support personnel. -
Death of South Vietnamese President
South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem is executed during a coup. -
North Vietnamese Attack
North Vietnamese attack two U.S. destroyers sitting in international waters (the Gulf of Tonkin Incident). -
Operation Rolling Thunder
A sustained U.S. aerial bombing campaign of North Vietnam begins (Operation Rolling Thunder). -
US Troops Arrive
The first U.S. combat troops arrive in Vietnam. -
Mai Lai
U.S. soldiers kill hundreds of Vietnamese civilians in the town of Mai Lai. -
Nixon Withdrawl
President Nixon orders the first of many U.S. troop withdrawals from Vietnam. -
Cambodia
President Nixon announces that U.S. troops will attack enemy locations in Cambodia. This news sparks nationwide protests, especially on college campuses. -
Communism is spread!
Vietnam is unified as a communist country, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. -
US completely withdrawls
he last U.S. troops are withdrawn from Vietnam. -
North Sends Massive attack
North Vietnam launches a massive assault on South Vietnam. -
South surrenders
South Vietnam surrenders to the communists.
