MAJOR EVENTS IN THE VIETNAM WAR Notes 4.5B:

I. Johnson’s Beliefs A. US must live up to their anti-communist world views or lose respect B. North Vietnamese are Chinese puppets C. His advisors assured him a small investment in troops and money would lead to rapid victory

II. Tonkin Gulf

A. July 30, 1964 – North Vietnamese claim attack by South and US B. Aug. 2, 1964 – North Vietnamese torpedo boats attack US ship in the Gulf of Tonkin C. Aug. 4, 1964 – US claims second attack in Gulf of Tonkin D. Aug. 7, 1964 – Congress makes Gulf of Tonkin Resolution  President can take “all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against armed forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.”

III. Escalation Begins A. Bomb North Vietnam, send more troops to aid South Vietnam B. Ground War C. By 1968 there are more than 538,000 American troops in Vietnam D. Search and destroy missions – helicopter in to village, clear out Vietnamese, kill livestock, burn village E. Toxic chemicals and Napalm – drop on jungles to clear away cover for enemy

IV. My Lai Massacre

A. March 1968, US troops enter village of My Lai B. Vietcong troops heavily entrenched in area C. Many US troops killed and maimed in previous weeks D. Search and Destroy Mission leads to massacre E. Causes shift in US sentiment when revealed

V. Tet Offensive

A. Surprise attack by North on South Vietnamese towns and US bases B. Military win for US C. Political loss for US

VI. May 10, Johnson begins peace talks in Paris with North Vietnam