What Caused It?
After World War II and Japan's surrender, Ho Chi Minh, a Vietnamese Nationalist, sought Communist aid to free Vietnam from French colonial rule. He created the Indochinese Communist Party, which rebelled against the French. Although Ho fled into exile, he returned in 1941 and founded the Vietminh (Independence) League, which wanted to cleanse Vietnam of occupying forces. He continued to gain power in northern and central Vietnam.
The War Begins
In December 1946, war began with the Vietnamese Nationalists and Communists against the French. While the French were able to maintain control of Vietnam's major cities, the Vietminh used hit-and-run tactics and defeated them at Dien Bien Phu in 1954.
The United States viewed France's defeat as a threat to the rest of Asia, in President Eisenhower's domino theory. This theory claimed that if one country fell to Communism, the other countries would soon follow. It served as the foundation for U.S. foreign policy throughout the Cold War.
The United States viewed France's defeat as a threat to the rest of Asia, in President Eisenhower's domino theory. This theory claimed that if one country fell to Communism, the other countries would soon follow. It served as the foundation for U.S. foreign policy throughout the Cold War.
Vietnam is Split
Following the defeat of France, the Geneva Conference took place in 1954. During this conference, a peace settlement was formed and Vietnam was divided into northern and southern regions. The northern region was ruled by Ho Chi Minh and his Communist forces. It was known as the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
The southern half, the Republic of Vietnam, was based in Saigon and was led by a non-Communist dictator, Ngo Dinh Diem. Unfortunately, opposition against Diem grew and a group of Communist guerrillas, known as the Vietcong gained power and assassinated Diem.
The southern half, the Republic of Vietnam, was based in Saigon and was led by a non-Communist dictator, Ngo Dinh Diem. Unfortunately, opposition against Diem grew and a group of Communist guerrillas, known as the Vietcong gained power and assassinated Diem.
The United States Steps In
Since the situation in Vietnam presented the possibility of a Communist takeover, and because two U.S. ships were attacked by North Vietnamese patrol boats, U.S. President Lyndon Johnson sent troops into Vietnam in 1964. By the end of 1965, there were more than 185,000 solders fighting in Vietnam. At this time, the U.S. also began to bomb North Vietnam.
Some problems that the U.S. faced included:
Some problems that the U.S. faced included:
- The soldiers had to fight using guerilla warfare, and had to do so in an unfamiliar jungle environment.
- The Vietcong was growing in popularity and was aided by Ho Chi Minh, the Soviet Union, and China. As a result, the U.S. bombed farmland and forests to destroy any places where enemies might have been hiding.
The United States Begins to Withdraw
In the late 1960s, there was a growing discontent among the American people. People were unhappy that the U.S. was getting involved with the conflict of a country located across the globe. As a result, President Nixon developed a plan called Vietnamization, which involved a gradual removal of troops while still preserving the South Vietnamese governement. This was done by bombing bases and supply routes in North Vietnam, and nearby Vietcong hiding places. The last of the U.S. troops left Vietnam in 1973.
Outcomes of the Vietnam War
In 1975, North Vietnam defeated South Vietnam. This caused many changes in Vietnam, including:
Eventually, in 1995, the U.S. equalized relations with Vietnam.
- People from South Vietnam were sent to "reeducation camps" to train them to become Communist.
- There was tightened control over businesses and industries.
- Saigon was renamed to be known as Ho Chi Minh City.
- 1.5 million people left Vietnam because of Communist oppression.
Eventually, in 1995, the U.S. equalized relations with Vietnam.