brief timeline
1954- The French are defeated at Dienbienphu
1954- President Eisenhower explains the Domino Theory to Americans 1956- U.S. Advisers are sent to South Vietnam to train South Vietnamese Forces 1960- John F. Kennedy gets elected president of The United States 1963- The first "president" of South Vietnam, Diem, is overthrown due to the dislike of him by South Vietnamese citizens 1963- President John F. Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas, Texas 1964- Three North Vietnamese boats allegedly fired upon the USS Maddox in the Gulf of Tonkin Incident 1965- The first marines arrive in South Vietnam 1966- LBJ meets with South Vietnam Leaders to discuss the US in assisting South Vietnam in the fight against North Vietnam 1968- North Vietnamese launch the Tet Offensive in which they had great success 1969- President Nixon begins to secretly bomb Cambodia 1973- End of the United States military draft and the last U.S. troops leave Vietnam |
Detailed timeline
Year
Event
Description
Statement of Importance
1954
French are defeated at Dienbienphu
The French met 40,000 Vietminh soldiers at Dienbienphu and were defeated because the French were not able to get supplies by air.
This event was important because it led to the Geneva Convention which eventually split up Vietnam in to two parts, one that was pro communism and one that was anti communism.
1954
Eisenhower explains Domino Theory
President Eisenhower explains how communism will spread as fast as dominoes if the U.S does not intervene.
The United States used the Domino theory to justify their support of a non communist regime in South Vietnam. The spread of communism feared many Americans and encouraged them to support the war.
1956
US start training South Vietnamese
In 1956 the United States sent 11,300 advisers to South Vietnam to start training South Vietnamese forces
This is the first time the United States sends military officials to Vietnam
1960
Kennedy gets elected for president
Kennedy promised to “get America moving again.” With the first televised debate Kennedy wins the election again Nixon.
This is important because Kennedy said that he would strengthen the military by creating the special forces and actively be involved in winning the war against communist.
1963
Diem is overthrown
Diem declared himself as the first president of South Vietnam ever, but a large group of people started to dislike him since he was Catholic, and he was later captured and killed
This was beneficial to the United States because they believed Diem dictatorship and harsh punishments would eventually be accepted by his country and his influence would spread. With Diem overthrown, the United States moved more heavily involved with defeating the communist rebels.
1963
Kennedy is Assassinated
Kennedy was assassinated at a parade in Dallas, Texas while driving in an open top car.
Immediately after Kennedy was assassinated, his vice president Lyndon B. Johnson, was sworn into office. Kennedy’s wife Jackie had to stand next to LBJ covered in her husbands blood to show a smooth transition to other countries. This showed how the United States was organized and had everything under control.
1964
Gulf of Tonkin
August 2, the gulf of tonkin incident was where three North Vietnamese PT allegedly fired upon the USS MADDOX, a destroyer located in International waters. The USS MADDOX was 30 miles off the coast
This was important because the United States government was allowed to wage a full sweeping war against the North Vietnamese.
1965
Marines arrive in South Vietnam
Marines are sent in to South Vietnam to defend an American Airfield that Vietcong were rumored to be planning to attack
This is the first time actual ground forces that aren’t advisers are sent in to South Vietnam. Also, it was reported that Vietcong fired upon the marines however no marines were injured.
1966
LBJ Meets with south Vietnam leaders
LBJ met with the South Vietnam leaders in Honolulu to discuss the US aiding the South Vietnam to fight against the North Vietnamese. They also wanted to help them form a democracy
This is important because the United States needed to side with this country in that area. It makes sense for.
1968
North Vietnamese launches Tet Offense
With the Lunar New Year around the corner, the United States was expecting a “cease fire from the North Vietnamese, but they were wrong. General Giap lead a successful, surprising attack at the U.S. Embassy.
This gave the Vietcong more confidence by killing a great amount of US soldiers. Although, it did add deeper fear in the Americans’ lives, it gave the US more determination to fight back harder than ever.
Event
Description
Statement of Importance
1954
French are defeated at Dienbienphu
The French met 40,000 Vietminh soldiers at Dienbienphu and were defeated because the French were not able to get supplies by air.
This event was important because it led to the Geneva Convention which eventually split up Vietnam in to two parts, one that was pro communism and one that was anti communism.
1954
Eisenhower explains Domino Theory
President Eisenhower explains how communism will spread as fast as dominoes if the U.S does not intervene.
The United States used the Domino theory to justify their support of a non communist regime in South Vietnam. The spread of communism feared many Americans and encouraged them to support the war.
1956
US start training South Vietnamese
In 1956 the United States sent 11,300 advisers to South Vietnam to start training South Vietnamese forces
This is the first time the United States sends military officials to Vietnam
1960
Kennedy gets elected for president
Kennedy promised to “get America moving again.” With the first televised debate Kennedy wins the election again Nixon.
This is important because Kennedy said that he would strengthen the military by creating the special forces and actively be involved in winning the war against communist.
1963
Diem is overthrown
Diem declared himself as the first president of South Vietnam ever, but a large group of people started to dislike him since he was Catholic, and he was later captured and killed
This was beneficial to the United States because they believed Diem dictatorship and harsh punishments would eventually be accepted by his country and his influence would spread. With Diem overthrown, the United States moved more heavily involved with defeating the communist rebels.
1963
Kennedy is Assassinated
Kennedy was assassinated at a parade in Dallas, Texas while driving in an open top car.
Immediately after Kennedy was assassinated, his vice president Lyndon B. Johnson, was sworn into office. Kennedy’s wife Jackie had to stand next to LBJ covered in her husbands blood to show a smooth transition to other countries. This showed how the United States was organized and had everything under control.
1964
Gulf of Tonkin
August 2, the gulf of tonkin incident was where three North Vietnamese PT allegedly fired upon the USS MADDOX, a destroyer located in International waters. The USS MADDOX was 30 miles off the coast
This was important because the United States government was allowed to wage a full sweeping war against the North Vietnamese.
1965
Marines arrive in South Vietnam
Marines are sent in to South Vietnam to defend an American Airfield that Vietcong were rumored to be planning to attack
This is the first time actual ground forces that aren’t advisers are sent in to South Vietnam. Also, it was reported that Vietcong fired upon the marines however no marines were injured.
1966
LBJ Meets with south Vietnam leaders
LBJ met with the South Vietnam leaders in Honolulu to discuss the US aiding the South Vietnam to fight against the North Vietnamese. They also wanted to help them form a democracy
This is important because the United States needed to side with this country in that area. It makes sense for.
1968
North Vietnamese launches Tet Offense
With the Lunar New Year around the corner, the United States was expecting a “cease fire from the North Vietnamese, but they were wrong. General Giap lead a successful, surprising attack at the U.S. Embassy.
This gave the Vietcong more confidence by killing a great amount of US soldiers. Although, it did add deeper fear in the Americans’ lives, it gave the US more determination to fight back harder than ever.