Events of the Vietnam War1957 - 1975

French Control is Removed

In 1883, France controls a region in Southeast Asia known as French Indochina, which includes present-day countries of Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

After WWII, Vietnamese Communists known as the Vietminh defeat French Forces.

The Vietminh are led by Ho Chi Minh

The Division of Vietnam

In May 1954 in a conference in Geneva, Vietnam is partitioned at the 17th parallel.

The North is controlled by Communists & the South by non-Communists.

The peace agreement states that free elections would be held to reunite the country.

These elections never occur.

South Vietnam refuses to allow free elections

In 1956, South Vietnamese leader Ngo Dinh Diem, refuses to allow free elections for fear that the communists will not permit fair elections.

The United States supports this decision through aid to the anti-Communist Saigon government.

The Republic of Vietnam is declared following a rigged election organized by the United States.

South Vietnamese resistance develops

In 1957, South Vietnamese Communists known as the Vietcong rebel against Diem’s government.

North Vietnam publicly supports this resistance & provides the rebels with weapons.

The United States responds by sending military advisors to assist South Vietnam in fighting these Communist attacks.

Diem’s Government is overthrown

In November 1960, Diem’s government repels a military coup. Diem responds by suppressing religious & political enemies.

In May 1963, Buddhist monks protest South Vietnam government actions by setting themselves on fire.

In November 1963, South Vietnamese General Duong Van Minh overthrows Diem’s government with U.S. knowledge & CIA assistance.

Diem is murdered.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

In August 1964, U.S. Navy destroyers Maddox and Turner Joy are sent by President Lyndon Johnson to patrol the Gulf of Tonkin.

Both destroyers supposedly detected radar blips causing them to open fire.

President Johnson responds by ordering air strikes against North Vietnam in retaliation.

President Johnson called for the passage of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which gave him the authority to “take all necessary measures” to thwart attacks against the United States & to prevent any further aggressions.

President Johnson had the power to react.

U.S. Involvement in Vietnam

Operation Rolling Thunder - The first goal of U.S. Forces was to cut off supplies of the Vietcong. U.S. planes bombed North Vietnam to destroy resources.

In March 1965, the first U.S. combat troops arrive in Vietnam.

By the end of 1965, American troop strength is nearly 200,000.

Unconventional Style of War

U.S. troops found the fighting difficult because there was no established battlefront.

The Vietcong used Guerrilla tactics against U.S. Soldiers.

This style of warfare resulted in large numbers of civilian casualties.

Civilians were killed & wounded in Vietcong attacks & by U.S. troops who could not tell friends from enemies.

Anti-War Protests at Home In 1967, Anti-War & Anti-

Draft protests become more organized & active.

Reports that the U.S. is winning the war in Vietnam prove to be false. A country-wide peace movement develops.

War protests turned violent – at Kent State University protestors were shot dead by U.S. troops.

The war was quickly losing its support.

Tet Offensive

In 1968, the Vietcong attacked major cities in South Vietnam including the U.S. embassy in Saigon during the Vietnamese New Year celebration.

The surprise attacks, vicious fighting, and large number of casualties stunned the American public.

The Tet offensive led the United States to change its policy in Vietnam. Gradually the war effort was scaled back.

Election of 1968 changes the War goals

Richard Nixon is elected as our 37th president.

Nixon changes our policy in the war to what he calls “Vietnamization” or to withdraw U.S. troops & turn the war over to the South Vietnamese.

My Lai Massacre On March 16, 1968, under the

command of Lt. William Calley, troops of Charlie Company, 11th Brigade entered the village of My Lai with orders to “search and destroy”.

The mission soon turned into the massacre of 300 unarmed civilians including women, children, & the elderly.

Word of the massacre did not reach the U.S. until 1969. Lt. Calley is tried & convicted for his role & this event further discredits the war.

U.S. Involvement in Vietnam comes to an end

In January 1973, a cease-fire is agreed upon.

By March of 1973, all U.S. ground troops have been withdrawn from Vietnam.

Within two years, North Vietnam captures the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon. The Vietnam war ends & Vietnam is unified under Communist rule.

Results of the War On July 2, 1976 the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is

established. Saigon is renamed Ho Chi Minh City The United States goal of containment is

unsuccessful. Total U.S. casualties are estimated above 200,000. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.

was dedicated in 1982