Vietnam War (nov 1, 1955 – apr 30, 1975)
Description:
Background-
Vietnam was conquered by France
First as a protectorate (“a state which is controlled and protected by another)- (1883-1939)
Then as a possession - (1939-45)
That ended in Sept 2 1945 when Ho Chi Minh proclaimed independence
France opposed
Ho Chi Minh led a guerilla warfare and ended the first war
An agreement was signed at Geneva 1954- temporary division of Vietnam
Communist dominated in the north
US supported in the south
Vietnam War-
Pro- communist activities in the south led to US involvement
The US hardened its policies at this point due to the Cold War
Training equipment and CIA went to South Vietnam to get communist sympathizers called Viet Cong
As war kept going, many soldiers came to mistrust the US government
By 1966 and 1973 there were many anti war movements
Brief halt in 1973 when cease fire agreement was signed
War resumed and Vietnamese government collapse and was replaced by a communist gov.
On 1975- Vietnam became whole as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Estimate of 2 million Vietnamese killed, 3 million wounded, and 12 million became refugees
War destroyed the country’s infrastructure and economy
Vietnam and US relations resumed in the 1990s
Economy began to improve under broad free market policy
Added to timeline:
History Project
Date:
