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Viet Minh vs. the French
The french tried to fight the Viet Minh in order to capture Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh was a pro communist but he smartly did not reveal that he wanted to make Vietnam a communist country so that the U.S do not give aid to the French -
French conquer opponent base
In 1947 the French encircle the Viet Minh base Viet Bac but were not able to defeat the Viet Minh forces and had to retreat -
the french defeat
a large well armed french force was defeated at Dien Bien Phu -
elections
The U.S did not allow any elections to take place in in Vietnam because they feared a communist take over -
South Vietnam
The Americans supported Ngo Dinh Diem, who was a landlord who hated the communists and even the Bhuddist to set up the republic of South Vietnam -
South Vietnam liberation
The communists got more support from the peasants against the anti-communist government for the liberation of south vietnam -
Personell sent to fight Viet Cong
President Kennedy sent a military personnel to fight the Viet Cong -
More aid by U.S
The Americans began to provide wide ranging support for the army and also some army soldiers as 'combat advisers' -
Overthrow of Diem
Diem was overthrown by his own army members but the government that followed was equally currupt, still they were given aid by U.S -
The Gulf of Tongkin
North Vietnamese forces marched south along the Ho Chi Minh Trail to support the Viet cong. In August 1964 an American destroyer near the coast of North Vietnam was attacked, even though there was not a lot of damage caused the new American President, Johnson bombed the naval base in the north. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
Sustained American bombing raids of North Vietnam, dubbed Operation Rolling Thunder, begin in February. The nearly continuous air raids would go on for three years. -
Marines Arrive at Danang
The first American combat troops, the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, arrive in Vietnam to defend the US airfield at Danang. Scattered Vietcong gunfire is reported, but no Marines are injured. -
Vietnam "Teach-In" Broadcast to Nation's Universities
The practice of protesting US policy in Vietnam by holding "teach-ins" at colleges and universities becomes widespread. The first "teach-in" -- featuring seminars, rallies, and speeches -- takes place at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in March. In May, a nationally broadcast "teach-in" reaches students and faculty at over 100 campuses. -
Heavy Fighting at Ia Drang Valley
The first conventional battle of the Vietnam war takes place as American forces clash with North Vietnamese units in the Ia Drang Valley. The US 1st Air Cavalry Division employs its newly enhanced technique of aerial reconnaissance to finally defeat the NVA, although heavy casualties are reported on both sides. -
Veterans Stage Anti-War Rally
Veterans from World Wars I and II, along with veterans from the Korean war stage a protest rally in New York City. Discharge and separation papers are burned in protest of US involvement in Vietnam. -
B-52s Bomb North Vietnam
In an effort to disrupt movement along the Mugia Pass -- the main route used by the NVA to send personnel and supplies through Laos and into South Vietnam -- American B-52s bomb North Vietnam for the first time. -
LBJ Meets With South Vietnamese Leaders
US President Lyndon Johnson meets with South Vietnamese Premier Nguyen Cao Ky and his military advisors in Honolulu. Johnson promises to continue to help South Vietnam fend off aggression from the North, but adds that the US will be monitoring South Vietnam's efforts to expand democracy and improve economic conditions for its citizens. -
CORE Cites "Burden On Minorities and Poor" in Vietnam
The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) issues a report claiming that the US military draft places "a heavy discriminatory burden on minority groups and the poor." The group also calls for a withdrawal of all US troops from Vietnam -
Operation Cedar Falls Begins
In a major ground war effort dubbed Operation Cedar Falls, about 16,000 US and 14,000 South Vietnamese troops set out to destroy Vietcong operations and supply sites near Saigon. A massive system of tunnels is discovered in an area called the Iron Triangle, an apparent headquarters for Vietcong personnel. -
Martin Luther King Speaks Out Against War
Calling the US "the greatest purveyor of violence in the world," Martin Luther King publicly speaks out against US policy in Vietnam. King later encourages draft evasion and suggests a merger between antiwar and civil rights groups. -
McNamara Calls Bombing Ineffective
Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, appearing before a Senate subcommittee, testifies that US bombing raids against North Vietnam have not achieved their objectives. McNamara maintains that movement of supplies to South Vietnam has not been reduced, and neither the economy nor the morale of the North Vietnamese has been broken. -
Dow Recruiters Driven From Wisconsin Campus
University of Wisconsin students demand that corporate recruiters for Dow Chemical -- producers of napalm -- not be allowed on campus. -
North Vietnamese Launch Tet Offensive
In a show of military might that catches the US military off guard, North Vietnamese and Vietcong forces sweep down upon several key cities and provinces in South Vietnam, including its capital, Saigon. Within days, American forces turn back the onslaught and recapture most areas. From a military point of view, Tet is a huge defeat for the Communists, but turns out to be a political and psychological victory. The US military's assessment of the war is questioned and the "end of tunnel" seems ver -
Battle for Hue
The Battle for Hue wages for 26 days as US and South Vietnamese forces try to recapture the site seized by the Communists during the Tet Offensive. Previously, a religious retreat in the middle of a war zone, Hue was nearly leveled in a battle that left nearly all of its population homeless. Following the US and ARVN victory, mass graves containing the bodies of thousands of people who had been executed during the Communist occupation are discovered. -
My Lai Massacre
On March 16, the angry and frustrated men of Charlie Company, 11th Brigade, Americal Division entered the village of My Lai. "This is what you've been waiting for -- search and destroy -- and you've got it," said their superior officers. A short time later the killing began. When news of the atrocities surfaced, it sent shockwaves through the US political establishment, the military's chain of command, and an already divided American public. -
LBJ Announces He Won't Run
With his popularity plummeting and dismayed by Senator Eugene McCarthy's strong showing in the New Hampshire primary, President Lyndon Johnson stuns the nation and announces that he will not be a candidate for re-election. -
Paris Peace Talks Begin
Following a lengthy period of debate and discussion, North Vietnamese and American negotiators agree on a location and start date of peace talks. Talks are slated to begin in Paris on May 10 with W. Averell Harriman representing the United States, and former Foreign Minister Xuan Thuy heading the North Vietnamese delegation. -
Robert Kennedy Assassinated
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Upheaval at Democratic Convention in Chicago
As the frazzled Democratic party prepares to hold its nominating convention in Chicago, city officials gear up for a deluge of demonstrations. Mayor Richard Daley orders police to crackdown on antiwar protests. As the nation watched on television, the area around the convention erupts in violence. -
Richard Nixon Elected President
Running on a platform of "law and order," Richard Nixon barely beats out Hubert Humphrey for the presidency. Nixon takes just 43.4 percent of the popular vote, compared to 42.7 percent for Humphrey. Third-party candidate George Wallace takes the remaining percentage of votes. -
Mai Lai masssacre
murder of 109 veitnamese civilians by american troops -
Death of Ho Chi Minh
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Vietnamization announced
Build up of the South Vietnam's military buy the US. US troops start pulling out of Vietnam -
Pentagon Papers leaked
information about growing American involvement, bombings in Cambodia and Laos, cotal attacks in North Vietnam -
cease fire between US and North Vietnamese
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Last US troops leave Vietnam
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North Vietnam Launches a major offensive against South vietnam
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Fall of Siagon
The Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army sweep victoriously Through South Vietnam and capyure the capital Siagon. -
Socialist Republic of Vietnam announced
