Vietnam War

Chronology of the Vietnam-War

Vietnam is annexed by France

Vietnam and Cambodia is ruled by France

1939-1941: Viet Minh seeks for independence

The Viet Minh begins a war against French occupation with attacks in the North.

(declaration of  independence - French offers only a free-state freedom)

The USA begins to provide military and economic aid to the French in Indochina.

1954:   The French are defeated. an agreement is signed, in October the Viet Minh take formal control over North Vietnam. ( Vietnam divided into North and South )

A US military advisory group replaces French training of the South Vietnamese army.

1961:   The (Communist) National Liberation Front (NLF) is formed in South Vietnam. US-President Kennedy sends special forces and military advisors to South Vietnam.

In November, South Vietnam's president Diem is overthrown in a military coup. Kennedy is assassinated and Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn in.

After an attack by North Vietnamese torpedo boats on two US destroyers, the US Congress enables the president in order to take revanche in a military way.

Johnson increases US military forces. ( 1967 - US forces in Vietnam total 465.000.)

US-President Nixon takes 25.000 US troops away from Vietnam, which called "policy of Vietnamization".

In August, US ground troops leave South Vietnam. The US Airforce rests in Vietnam ( bombs on Hanoi, Haiphong, harbours of North Vietnam)

A cease-fire agreement is signed in Paris ( US-troops are taken away from Vietnam officially end of war.); BUT: the fights between North-V. and South-V. continue.

After the capture of Saigon South-Vietnam capitulates.

Proclamation of the Social Republic of Vietnam

Consequences

In South-Vietnam approximately 15.000 american soldiers are deployed.

The publication of documents about the development of the Vietnam-War reduces the credibility of the Johnson government.

Mainly the young generation starts to demonstrate against the war.

The maximum of the Anti-War-Movement is reached when more than 200.000 protesters walk towards the Pentagon.

About 541,000 american soldiers fight in Vietnam.

In may 6 students die during a demonstration.

6.3 million tons of bombs were going down on Vietnam. In the Second World War

ca. 2.1 million tons of bombs went down on Africa, Asia and Europe.

The War Powers Act becomes a law, to limit the power of the president.

The United States support South-Vietnam with ca. 3 billion $.

A big imigration wave starts from South-Vietnam.

The western countries (except Sweden) don't help to rebuild Vietnam.

CONCLUSION The aim to limit the spread of Communism wasn't reached

Ca. 2.5 million people lost their lifes.

The war costs more than 185 billion $.

More than 50.000 veterans admit suicide after the war.

The dimension of human sorrow and the destruction of nature, culture and industry is undefinable.