The Vietnam War A Very Basic Overview

Where is Vietnam?

What does Vietnam look like?

Political Upheaval in Vietnam Before World War 2, Vietnam was an empire ruled by an emperor. The last emperor cooperated with the Japanese during WW2 and then with the French after Japan loses WW2. The emperor tried to stay in power, but growing communist forces pushed him out. These communist forces fought the French for control of Vietnam (and elsewhere in Southeast Asia).

The Domino Theory In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower explained why western nations needed to get involved in Southeast Asia’s fight between democracy and communism: "You have a row of dominoes set up. You knock over the first one, and what will happen to the last one is the certainty that it will go over very quickly.“

The Domino Theory John F. Kennedy, then a U.S. Senator, similarly stated: "Burma, Thailand, India, Japan, the Philippines and obviously Laos and Cambodia are among those whose security would be threatened if the Red Tide of Communism overflowed into Vietnam."

The U.S. Joins the Fight In 1956, the U.S. took over for the French to train the South Vietnamese military forces. Communist forces, using guerrilla warfare, attacked and killed thousands in South Vietnam.

Guerrilla Warfare Definition: combat in which small groups (including armed civilians) use ambushes, raids, and the element of surprise to dominate a larger, traditional army.

Who was the U.S. President during the war? Eisenhower (1953-1961, Republican) Kennedy (1961-1963, Democrat) Johnson (1963-1969, Democrat) Nixon (1969-1974, Republican) Ford (1974-1977, Republican)

Who were our allies and enemies? We had one ally in Vietnam territory: South Vietnam, which was fighting for a democratic government. We had two enemies, both communist: North Vietnam The Vietcong, a rebel force within South Vietnam

How many people died? American (military) casualties: 303,644 wounded 1,649 missing Vietnamese civilian casualties: 195,000-430,000 South Vietnamese civilians died 50,000-65,000 North Vietnamese civilians died Vietnamese military casualties: 1,100,000 North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong military personnel died

When did the Vietnam War start? It’s hard to say when the war started because the U.S. never officially declared war on Vietnam. Instead, Congress passed a law allowing our military to fight there. This law was called the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, and it was passed in 1964, about a decade into the U.S.’s military presence in Vietnam.

When did the Vietnam War end? April 23, 1975: President Gerald Ford gave a televised speech, declaring an end to the Vietnam War and all U.S. aid. April 29, 1975: The last U.S. diplomatic, military, and civilian personnel evacuated from Saigon by helicopter. April 30, 1975: North Vietnamese troops entered the city of Saigon and quickly overcame all resistance, capturing key buildings and installations. 

Why did the Vietnam War end? During the course of the Vietnam War a large segment of the American population opposed U.S. involvement in South Vietnam. By 1970, two thirds of Americans believed that the U.S. had made a mistake by sending troops to fight in Vietnam.

Why did Americans protest the war? The peace movement advocated for unilateral withdrawal of U.S. forces from Vietnam to lessen tensions in the region and thus lessen human bloodshed. News reports revealed American military abuses and massacres. High-profile riots and anti-war protests swayed public opinion. Young people protested the draft.  Popular music and the counterculture were strongly anti-war.

What is the legacy of the Vietnam War? http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-677645.html