-
Start of Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh organizes a nationalist group called the Vietnam Independence League. After the Japanese invade Vietnam during WWII, the U.S. pairs with the Viet Minh (Vietnam Independence League) to take down Japanese and save some American troops.
http://www.historyfiles.co.uk/images/FarEast/SouthEastAsia/Vietnam_VietMinh01_full.jpg -
Ho Chi Minh Needs Help
Ho Chi Minh writes a letter to president Harry S. Truman asking for help and support to gain independence for Vietnam. Having the new technology and weaponry the U.S. has could be crucial in winning the fight for independence.
http://www.cvce.eu/content/publication/1999/6/10/63812c0e-9a33-400c-b53a-272fc7669d96/publishable.jpg -
U.S. Support Vietnam
The U.S contributes money and supplies worth $15 million to help the Vietnamese. Help from a superpower country could be what determines the winning power in this war.
http://66.media.tumblr.com/a1311774fcf1a41acc9e52948319ab1f/tumblr_no4weuZtcx1s5kgq3o1_500.jpg -
Geneva Conference Begins
Representatives from the U.S., the Soviet Union, the People's Republic of China, France and Great Britain gather in Geneva to try and resolve problems in Asia. The main concern being the battle within Vietnam. As part of this conference, France agreed to take their troops out of Vietnam. This led to the U.S. involvement in trying to create an anti-communist government in Southern Vietnam as well as their occupation in Vietnam.
http://wikieducator.org/images/c/cb/Genevaconference.jpg -
Vietnamese Take French
Vietnamese attack the French which results in a battle of 55 days. This victory although high in casualties resulted in dissolving France's spirits of proceeding in the war.
https://vietcongonline.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/1256.jpg?w=350&h=200&crop=1 -
Viet Cong Communism
The Viet Cong communist forces started to grow stronger. The started terrorizing the government and made promises to the less wealthy people in order to gain their support. By October of the same year, over 400 government officials had been killed in acts of violence.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/d9/7e/08/d97e08e17c50a3377317a3d4bf0cbb22.jpg -
North Vietnam Bombing
Following an attack by North Vietnam by gunboats, President Lyndon B. Johnson orders a bomb on North Vietnam for the first time.
http://media.defense.gov/2011/Mar/25/2000272483/-1/-1/0/110325-F-DW547-011.JPG -
The Gulf Of Tonkin Resolution
In a result of mistaken attacks on the U.S. Maddox from North Vietnam, President Lyndon B. Johnson quickly worked to get some sort of retaliation effort together. This resulted in a resolution that stated Johnson could use any forces necessary and prevent further attacks. Later when the attacks were revealed as false, it was concluded that the expansion of war was not necessary.
http://olive-drab.com/images/vietnam_tonkin_turnerjoy_700.jpg -
Operation Rolling Thunder
Supposed to show America's air presence during the Vietnam War. Bombs and airplanes were used in this attack. The goal was to lessen the spirits of North Vietnam, cut off supplies, and undermine the government but this operation failed to achieve both of these.
http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2015-09-04-1441383682-1809560-planedroppingbombs.jpg -
First Troops In Vietnam
The first American troops arrive in Vietnam. After tensions had been running high for the past few decades from the Cold War, they were finally on shore. They had "search and destroy" missions which was basically raiding villages. This was found to be difficult in trying to identify the true enemy. An innocent looking villager may actually be a savage killer.
http://vietnam-war.commemoration.gov.au/combat/the-other-side.php -
Issues With Drafting
The first draft card was burned. Following the resistance to be drafted in a war that has required a lot of troops, Congress passes an act that punishes anyone was avoids being drafted. This could mean a large fine, or a prison sentence. A further act of opposition to the war and the Americans view of their involvement.
http://depts.washington.edu/antiwar/images/sample.jpg -
Hanoi March
52 prisoners of war were blindfolded and taken to a village where they were led to believe they were going to meet "the Vietnamese people". They were actually being led to a mob of people who hit, kicked, and attacked these men for the next hour. Not only was it a violation of the Geneva Conventions but also brought attention to the treatment of pows.
http://www.thehistoryreader.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Hanoi-Parade.jpg -
American Outrage
In Washington, almost 100,000 gather to protest American involvement and ending the Vietnam War. When President Johnson and administration announced that they may raise taxes in order to fund the war, this only fueled people's anger further. Support for the war was at an all time low.
http://cdn.history.com/sites/2/2014/02/womens-march-against-vietnam-war-P.jpeg -
Tet Offensive
An attack by over 70,000 forces of the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese, on more than 100 cities and towns in South Vietnam. The U.S. and South Vietnamese troops managed to fend off these communist attacks but this started the withdrawal of American troops as this attack was of high intensity. Images of this attack was broadcasted in the U.S. which shocked the public.
http://i.imgur.com/lzupxFp.jpg -
Lyndon B. Johnson's Presidency
Johnson announces he won't be running to be re-elected. He also mentions he will start trying to "deescalate the conflict in Vietnam". A few days later, the Ho Chi Minh government declares they are ready to talk more about bringing the war to an end.
http://millercenter.org/images/entry/large/x27486b92fd0464760e5a8a0fb5d107a2.jpg.pagespeed.ic.RNlogRVqNK.jpg -
Peace in Paris?
By 1967, the Vietnam war was the longest in American History. With Americans organizing peace marches, protests, and reckless behavior, the world seems to be torn about Vietnam. With increasing death rates, there are talks of peace between the U.S., South Vietnam, North Vietnam, and the Viet Cong. Perhaps the end of the war is in sight?
http://a.abcnews.go.com/images/International/gty_paris_peace_accords_mi_130327_blog.jpg -
Vietnamization
Under a new president, Richard Nixon, he tried to instill a concept called Vietnamization in order to end the war. He planned to move all American troops to South Vietnam and then gradually bring troops back to the U.S.. He claimed that this would allow South Vietnam to try and defend themselves against a communist takeover. Four years later, they are overtaken by the communists.
http://vietnamawbb.weebly.com/uploads/5/7/2/0/5720494/696887830.jpg?262 -
Pentagon Papers
Secret government papers are published by the New York Times containing information about the war and decisions that had been made up to that point. This enraged the public even more which started Congress on the topic of trying to take troops out from Vietnam by the end of the year.
http://nsarchive.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB348/nytfrontpg.jpg -
Nixon Nixes Military Action
President Richard Nixon cuts off military action in North Vietnam supporting his campaign in trying to end the war when he "inherited it" from Lyndon B. Johnson. By slowly withdrawing troops, this also brings the opportunity for more peace talks.
http://www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/views-article/thumbs/nixon_nam.jpg -
Conclusion
Early in the morning, the last few Americans leave Saigon, ending their presence in Vietnam and their participation in the war. By the afternoon, the red and blue Viet Cong flag is raised at the presidential palace which declares the surrender and ending of the war.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/24/b3/7b/24b37bcdc44c0d9c9ec7042536cfe695.jpg
