Vietnam War

By mdonahue5

  • French Indochina War Begins

    The French wanted to reestablish their rule in Vietnam after WWII. The US supported the French to stop the spread of communism and keep ties to French

  • Diem was assasinated

    Leader Ngo Dinh Diem was supported by the US government because he did not support communism and he promised a more stable government in the South. However under his rule the government became very corrupt, Diem took land from peasants and attacked Buddhists. The US military supported an overthrow of Diem in order for the South to remain stable. In November 1 1963 Diem was assassinated against Kennedy's wishes.

  • Kennedy was assassinated

    President Kennedy was assassinated after he announced his plans to withdraw from the war in Vietnam. President Lyndon Johnson was now in charge of the crisis in Vietnam.

  • The Tonkin Gulf Incident

    A North Vietnamese patrol boat fired a torpedo at the USS Maddox while it was patrolling the Gulf of Tonkin. The torpedo missed the ship but the USS Maddox returned fire and inflicted heavy damage on the patrol boat. 2 days later the Maddox and another destroyer were off the North Vietnamese coast. Although there was low visibility the US crew reported enemy torpedoes and began to fire. The crew later said they didn't hear or see enemy gun fire.

  • The Tonkin Gulf Resolution

    Upon hearing about the alleged enemy attack on the USS Maddox president Johnson asked for permission to use all powers necessary to prevent further aggression. Congress approved this on August 7 and adopted the Tonkin GUlf Resolution. This was not a declaration of war but it did give Johnson military power in Vietnam.