Vietnam War Timeline of Vietnam Conflict 1954 Vietminh

Vietnam War

Timeline of Vietnam Conflict • • • 1954: Vietminh defeat the French. 1964: Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. 1965: American troops in Vietnam. 1968: Tet Offensive. 1973: Cease-fire signed with North Vietnam. 1975: Evacuation of last Americans from Vietnam.

Roots of Vietnam • Vietnamese nationalism: Reaction against French colonialism: – Ho Chi Minh and the Vietminh. • United States supports the French because? ? • French defeated at Dien Bein Phu. • Geneva Accords: Vietnam divided along the 17 th parallel – North = Vietminh, South = Diem.

Deepening Involvement • 1963: Diem overthrown. • August 7, 1964: Gulf of Tonkin: – LBJ. – North Vietnamese fire on two destroyers? ? ? – “Take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the United States. • Airstrikes continue – 60% approval rating for LBJ. • 1965: Operation Rolling Thunder.

Guerrilla Warfare • • • “Search and destroy” missions. Napalm. Agent Orange. Stalemate with the Vietcong. 179, 000 troops killed between 1965 and 67.

1968 • January 30, 1968: Tet Offensive: – All American airbases attacked in South Vietnam. – Major political victory for the Vietcong. • Media turns on American effort. • LBJ has 26% approval rating. • My Lai – comes out in 1969.

The War Winds Down • • • Nixon and Vietnamization. 1972: Peace is at hand. 1973: Cease fire. 1975: Saigon falls – Ho Chi Minh City. 300, 000 wounded troops, 58, 000 killed.