Vietnam War Overview

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What was the Vietnam War?

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The Vietnam War (1955–1975) was a conflict with global, political, and social consequences, part of the Cold War struggle between communism and capitalism.

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What were the roots of the Vietnam War?

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The roots lie in colonialism, Cold War politics, and the struggle for independence and ideological control.

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What was French Colonial Rule?

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Vietnam was part of French Indochina. After WWII, independence movements grew, led by Ho Chi Minh and the Viet Minh.

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What was the First Indochina War?

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A war between France and the Viet Minh ending in 1954 with the Geneva Accords, dividing Vietnam into North and South.

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What is the Domino Theory?

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The U.S. feared communism spreading in Southeast Asia, believing if one country fell, others would follow.

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When did the U.S. enter Vietnam?

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The U.S. began supporting South Vietnam with military aid and advisors after 1954, increasing involvement in 1961.

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What was the Gulf of Tonkin Incident?

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In 1964, a reported attack on U.S. ships led to Congress allowing military force in Vietnam, marking direct U.S. involvement.

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What was the Tet Offensive?

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In 1968, surprise attacks by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces shocked the U.S. public and shifted opinion.

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What was the My Lai Massacre?

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In 1968, U.S. soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed South Vietnamese civilians, sparking outrage.

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What was the U.S. withdrawal and peace talks?

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In 1973, the Paris Peace Accords were signed, and U.S. forces began withdrawing, but the war continued.