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Japan Surrendered to the Allies
Japan gave up control of Indochina to the Allies. This event is considered a political event because Japan's government surrendered to the governments of the allies. -
Defeat at Dien Bien Phu
The French continued to struggle fighting against the Vietminh, despite aid from the United States. A decisive turning point came in Dien Bien Phu where French forces fell to the Vietminh, causing them to make peace and withdraw from Indochina. This event is a political and military event because the French military was defeated in this battle, but their government made the final decision to withdraw from Indochina. -
Geneva Accords
Held in Geneva, Switzerland were the negotiations to end the conflict between France and Vietminh. The Geneva accords divided Vietnam into the 17th parallel. This event was a political event because it separated Vietnam into two with multiple governments. -
Passing the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution which authorized the President to "take all necessary measures to repeal any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression". This event is a political event since it involves the government passing a document. -
The Tet Offensive
On the Vietnamese New Year the Vietcong and North Vietnamese launched a massive surprise attack. During the Tet Offensive, guerrilla fighters attacked Americans. After a month of fighting America suffered heavy losses. The event is a military event because it was a battle between both armies. -
Vietnamization
Nixon began gradually withdrawing troops from Vietnam in 1969, while South Vietnam still believed they were going to continue fighting. This was known as Vietnamization and it can be characterized as a political event since the government decided to withdraw the troops from the front lines in Vietnam. -
Ratification of the 26th Amendment
Many people did not want to be drafted into the military. Young people argued that if they were old enough to get drafted then they were old enough to vote. As a result, the 26th Amendment was ratified. Furthermore, this event is both military and political because an amendment was passed by the government as a result of people not wanting to fight in the military. -
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
This memorial is a large black granite wall inscribed with the names of those who were killed in action in the war. This is a political event because the government wanted to remember all the soldiers who fought in this war.