The Vietnam War began in 1955 and ended in 1975. It lasted almost 20 years and affected many countries, including the United States. Vietnam was most affected, especially when Saigon fell.
Key points of this article that can be understood in 3 lines in number
- The Vietnam War began in the 1950s. It was North Vietnam versus South Vietnam. China and the Soviet Union backed North Vietnam, while America supported South Vietnam. The war occurred due to Indochina wars against French control.
- The US helped South Vietnam against North Vietnam. President Diem didn’t like the communist regime. The problem got worse when America joined the fight.
- The Vietnam War ended in 1975. Vietnam became one country again with a communist government. About two million people died, including soldiers from both sides and American allies. The American army also lost many soldiers.
Between 1954 and 1975, there was a war. The war involved communists from North Vietnam and friends from South Vietnam.
The Vietnam War happened during the Cold War. The conflict was between North Vietnam’s government and Vietcong, their allies in the south. The government of South Vietnam and the United States were also involved.
What were the origins of the Vietnam War
The conflict began in the 1940s and 1950s during the Indochina wars. Ho Chi Minh led Vietnam, facing colonial rule from Japan and France. The Viet Minh was inspired by China and the Soviet Union. It confronted the French army for eight years to gain independence.
In May 1954, France lost at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu and stopped controlling Indochina. The United States supported France with money and supplies.
In July, French and Viet Minh signed the Geneva Agreement. It established a line dividing Vietnam between French and Ho Chi Minh’s troops. This agreement was temporary, according to Britannica reports.
In Vietnam, the north was led by Viet Minh. It was under the Workers’ Party or Communist Party of Vietnam. The French in the south gave power to the State of Vietnam. Former emperor Bao Dai led it.
Following the signing of the agreement, a demilitarized zone was created for 300 days. This allowed any civilian in the north or south to leave and withdraw from the region. National elections were scheduled for 1956.
What was the role of the United States in the Vietnam War?
The American President split the country into north and south. He then started a program to help South Vietnam. The program had two parts: psychological warfare and paramilitary. The Encyclopedia has this information.
On June 1, 1954, the United States Air Force led by Edward Lansdale stopped communism in Asia. The mission was called the Saigon Military Mission later on, according to Britannica.
North Vietnam, led by the Viet Minh, stayed in place because they thought the south was unstable.
The Prime Minister of South Vietnam was Ngo Dinh Diem. He represented the side of the country opposing both the communist regime in North Vietnam and the subversive army in his own country.
In 1955, Diem became the president of Vietnam with US support. The north couldn’t stop him because they were not ready for war and their allies didn’t help.
What was the center of the conflict in the Vietnam War
North Vietnam desired to make the whole country communist like China and Soviet. South Vietnam favored a Western system similar to the United States.
In the Vietnam War there were two powers that influenced and supplied weapons and combat tools to both sides.
During the Vietnam War, North Vietnam received help from the Soviet Union and China. They sent weapons, supplies, and war advisors. The North Vietnamese provided political direction, support, and troops for the war. On the other hand, the United States sent over 550,000 American soldiers to support South Vietnam.
What was the Viet Cong?
In 1960’s closing days, there existed North Vietnam’s groups: NLF and Vietcong. These were large political organizations with an army that aimed to put an end to the Diem government in Vietnam.
Britannica claims that their armed struggle was an example of the new Chinese and Soviet strategy. They helped emerging nations overthrow unstable governments in Asia and Africa.
In 1961, the US President, John Kennedy, increased military aid to Vietnam due to fear of the “domino theory.” The theory suggested that if Vietnam fell to communism, other countries in Asia would follow.
Kennedy feared communism would harm other Southeast Asian democracies if it took over Vietnam. After two years, Johnson assumed control of the Vietnam issue following Kennedy’s assassination.
Who won the Vietnam War?
Britannica states that there are two answers to who won the “War against Americans to Save the Nation”. This depends on how victory is defined.
The US won most battles with few injuries despite withdrawal of North American troops. This is seen as a victory.
A second answer in favor of North Vietnam says that the US failed to stop communism in Vietnam. This answer is in the Encyclopedia.
In 1976, North and South Vietnam joined together under one communist flag. The war caused problems inside the country and became very expensive. Because of these issues, peace and bringing back the soldiers were the only options left.
How many people died in the Vietnam War
In 1995, the country shared the number of people who died in a twenty-year war. The death toll came out to be 2 million people on both sides. Out of these, 1.1 million were North Vietnamese and Viet Cong fighters who lost their lives.
The United States army says about 200,000 to 250,000 South Vietnamese soldiers died in combat. The North American army lost 58,300 soldiers.
Several countries fought for South Vietnam. The number of soldiers who died is listed. 4,000 soldiers from South Korea were killed. Thailand lost about 350 soldiers. Australia lost over 500 soldiers and New Zealand lost 36 soldiers as well. Britannica has concluded this information.
