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France invades Vietnam and makes Vietnam a colony.
*The invasion span from 1858-1884 As the United State’s oldest ally , France can count on the U.S to provide them with economical support. This support would be needed later on because of the invasion France committed. -
France's invasion ends
Now that France has "left" Vietnam it can become a target for other ocuntries(since it is weak ). -
Ho Chi Minh Helps helps found the Indochinese Communist Party.
This is important because Communism Is the direct opposite of the type of government the United States had/has, Because of the rise of opposing forms of governments the U.S might be fearful that other countries might fallow suit , thus Vietnam might become a point of focus. -
Japan Invades Vietnam
This invasion was "short" since the French army quickly made an agreement with the Japanesse troops, however it established their presence in Vietnam.Bringing with them new ideologies -which could attract those dissatisfied with the French. -
advisors and weapons from China
Following the declaration of an independent Vietnam , China decides to give military grade weapons and advisement to Vietnam. This is important because without this help Vietnam would have never had the equipment(or the tactical intelligence) needed to carry out a war. It also publicly announces that China’s power is growing since it can “adopt” newly formed governments and make them their allies. -
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Presidency of Dwigt D. Eisenhower
He created the SEATO (South East Asia treaty Organization ) whic prevented communims from gaining ground , that is support. -
Geneva Accord
A peace treaty is often the calm before the storm , they are not a promise of cease-fire .This treaty helped to create “temporary boundariy between North and South Vietnam at the 17th parallel” .It also gave both parties a short period of time to rest. -
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Vietnam war
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1st withdrawal of troops
Nixon orders the firt wave of withdrawals , which is a clear precursor to the end of the U.S's involvement. -
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Presidency of John F. Kennedy
Kennedy pledged extra aid to Diem regime when he was in office in 1961. In fact, more advisers and machinery but not troops were sent to South Vietnam. However, in 1963 Kennedy tacitly approved a coup to overthrow Diem just 3 weeks before his assassination."(Rogers , 2012). This is extremly important because it implies that the United States was behind the scenes long before the atack on the 2 destroyers. -
Dinh Diem is executed during a coup.
There are many tales of weather or not the United States participated in the coup. “While the United States continued to influence South Vietnam's government, the assassination bolstered North Vietnamese attempts to characterize the South Vietnamese as supporters of colonialism”(Moyar , 2009). This coup not only divided Vietnam it might have boosted the idea that the enemy was anyone who disapproved of communism and materialims (two of the ideals that Diem's presidency tried to eradicate). -
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Presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson
Johnson approved operation rolling thunder as well as several other operations.During his presidency the United States became fully involved trough the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. -
Attack on U.S Destroyers
This was the first physical attack on the United States.It is important because it led to the full participation of the U.S in this war. The response to this attack is crucuial since it allowed congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which inturng allowed for opration rolling thunder & agent orange . -
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U.S continues oerations & 1st combat troops arrive
On March 2nd the " U.S. aerial bombing campaign of North Vietnam begins (Operation Rolling Thunder)".This was the 1st wave of respones against the attacks made on August 2nd.On March 8th the 1st combat troops arrived to Vietnam. -
540,000 U.S troops in Vietnam
This is the largest amount of troop to be present in Vietnam. -
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Presidency of Richard Nixon
This was the presidency in which the United State's public opinion on the Vietnam war changed .He ordered the “Christmas Bombing in 1972 to keep North Vietnam at the negotiating table as well as to convince South Vietnam to sign the peace treaty. In January 1973, the Paris Peace Accords were signed ending the American direct involvement in Vietnam, which subsequently led to the end of the war"(Rogers , 2012) -
The American public learns of the Mai Lai massacre.
The Mai Lai massacre was carried by the U.S and took about 500 lives .The event was covered up but once it reached the U.S public it became yet another occurance wich added to the growing anti-war sentiment. -
Portions of the Pentagon Papers are published in The New York Times.
This was an extensive study which showed the United State's was involved in decisions that pertained to IndoChina (in a time span of 30 years).This was perhaps the biggest turining point (aside from the Mai Lai masscare ) that led towards the anti-war sentiment , since it was a clear demosntartion of how the U.S acted without informing the public . -
The Paris Peace Accords are signed that provide a cease-fire.
This was the last of the peace agreemnts that would be signed.The participation of Paris( an ally of the U.S) meant that the talk of peace was difinitive. -
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Presidency of Gerald R. Ford
During his presidency congress forbade U.S involvement in the war , thus Ford decalred (on April 23,1975) that “as far as America is concerned” the Vietnam war had ended. -
South Vietnam surrenders to communist
The inclusion of South Vietnam into the North's plan for a communist vietnam was finalized by the surrendering.The image shows people trying to leave .Finally on July 2nd 1976 , Vietnam is unified as a communist country. -
U.S involvement in war ends
