The Vietnam WarThe most controversial conflict in

American History

Map of North and South Vietnam

The Official Era of the Vietnam War

The Vietnam War lasted from February 1961 until May 1975.

Build Up to War Vietnam - French colony that was invaded by Japan

during WWII

Ho Chi Minh – leader of the Vietnamese: called the Vietminh

Ho Chi Minh – supported Communism

Buildup to U.S. Involvement 1945 – French return to control Vietnam Ho Chi Minh controlled North Vietnam and

was supported by China France was supported by the USA USA sent approximately 15 million to help

France win

US Increases Involvement Pres. Truman – policy of containment:

preventing Communism from spreading

Pres. Eisenhower – domino theory: belief that if one country falls to Communism, other countries around it will fall as well

US Involvement

May 1954 – France is defeated at Dien Bien Phu and pulls out of Vietnam.

July 1954 – Vietnam is divided into 2 separate countries at the 17th parallel: North Vietnam and South Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh controls North Vietnam

Vietcong The Vietnamese Communists branch of the National Liberation Front (NLF) commanded by the Central Office for South Vietnam,

located near the Cambodian border. weapons, including booby traps and mines, were

homemade in villages. The materials ranged from scavenged tin can to

discarded wire Fought against U.S. in South Vietnam

1969 Bombing of North

Vietnam resumes 25,000 troops

withdrawn from South Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh dies but fight goes on

Vietnamization Plan to encourage

South Vietnam to take more responsibility in fighting the war

Allow US to withdraw gradually

1972 North Vietnam

invades South Vietnam and several large towns are lost.

Last American ground forces leave South Vietnam.

1973

US military operations against North Vietnam ends. US gov’t announces arrival of last American held as

Prisoner of War in the Philippines (later proved to be false).

The Paris Peace Accords: establish peace in Vietnam US military stopped fighting Agreement on ending the war and restoring peace

Last Years Congress places a

quota on monetary aid to South Vietnam.

Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos fall to the Communists.

Today…

The Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, DC has the name of every person that died while fighting in Vietnam.