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Ho Chi Minh Works to Regain Power
Ho Chi Minh has long been a supporter of Communism. He returned to southeast Asia, and is working to overthrow the current government. -
First American Killed
While driving a combat vehicle, Lt. Col. A. Peter Dewey was killed by Vietnam troops. Up untill then, there had been no fighting. -
Vietnam Becomes Independent
After Japan surrendered contol of Indochina, Vietnam declared themselves independent. America had already made their presense known at this point. -
Eisenhower Takes Office
Eisenhower took over the role of Predident in 1953. He continued to support the French. -
Eisenhower Enstates Domino Theory
Eisenhower wanted to help defend U.S's policy in Vietnam. He claimed that if Vietnam fell to Communism, other Asian countries would soo follow. -
French in Dien Bien Phu
The French hoped to gain control of the town, Dien Bien Phu, trying to instigate battle. The Vietminh defeated the French, and they withdrew from Indochina. -
American Training in Vietnam
With the French leaving in 1956, someone had to step in to work with the South Vietnamese. American troops began training troops in South Vietnam at this point. -
Kennedy Elected President
This presidential race was between Nixon and Kennedy. He continued to support South Vietnam like before. -
Vietcong Formed
A new guerilla style Army was formed in North Vietnam. Their goal was to beat South Vietnm in any way possible, and this led to more Amrican troops in South Vietnam. -
Monk on Fire
Tnsions began to grow between Diem and Buddhists. In protest of this, a buddhist monk set himself on fire in the streets. -
Henry Cabot Lodge
American ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge rrived in Vietnam in August of 1963. Due to his presence, Diem was eventually overthrown and executed. -
Kennedy Assassination
JFK was assassinated in Dallas in 1963. In the midst o a war in Vietnam, responsibilities were handed over to former Vice President Lyndon Johnson. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
In 1964, the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was passed.This gave the President power to do anything necessary to protect troops in Vietnam. -
Bob Hope Christmas
American entertainer, Bob Hope, decided he would bring some Christmas joy to the troops in Vietnam. Until the end of the war, he went on Holiday tours boosting the morrale of the soldiers. -
Tet Offensive
The Tet offensive was a surprise invasion of major cities in South Vietnam by the Vietcong and N. Vietnamese. This was a huge defeat for the Communists. -
Johnson Public Address
Lyndon Johnson made a public statement about his future on television. To the surprise of the nation, he announced he would not run for re-election. -
America in Cambodia
Nixon wanted to invade and destroy Vietnamese base camps in Cambodia. In "Operation Breakfast," troops began to bomb bases and supply routes without American knowlegde. America was infuriated when they heard of the Cambodian controversy a year later. -
25K Soldiers Sent Home
Using Vietnamization, Nion began to gradually withdrawl troops from Vietnam. The summer of 1969, he withdrew a lucky 25,000. -
Kent State Incident
Some students didn't agree with the Cambodian invasion. The National Guard was called in to restore order, and they ended up killing four students without cause. -
Repeal Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution gave the president complete power over the war. This was repealed due to significant disagreement with Nixon. -
70K More Troops Sent Home
In order to hasten the process of withdrawling from war, Nixon sent home 70,000 more troops in 1972. This was favored by the Democratic party. -
Peace Treaty Signed
After many years of conflict, peace was agreed upon. America was now finished with Vietnam. -
North Vietnamese Invasion
The North Vietnamese decided shortly after the peace treaty that they were not satisfied. In March, the set out on an invasion of South Vietnam, without American aid. -
Fall of Saigon
The North Vietnamese had a plan to capture the South Vietnam Capital. They were successful, and Saigon as re-named Ho Chi Minh City. -
Vietnam Memorial
A memorial in Washington D.C. was made in 1982 to commemorate the lives of the men who died in battle. This memorial lists the names of the 58,183 men who died.
