Vietnam War

Vietnam, 1966

The Vietnam War was a war fought in Vietnam and neighbouring countries from the 1950s to the early 1970s. For most of this time, the United States was heavily involved.

The outcome was that the United States lost, the Republic of Vietnam (which was turning into a dictatorship at this point) was abolished, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was proclaimed.

Background

French Indochina was colonized in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

During World War II, French Indochina remained loyal to Vichy France, then was occupied by Japan. Following the Allied victory, France attempted to reestablish control, but failed following a humiliating defeat at Dien Bien Phu. Vietnam became divided between the communist north, supported by the USSR, and the south, supported by the United States and its allies.

When North Vietnam invaded South Vietnam, the United States feared a "domino effect" where one country after another would succumb to communist rule. America sent advisors and technical support at first, but gradually was sucked into sending more and more ground troops.

Analysis

The United States was the strongest military in the world at the time, with huge material advantages over the Vietnamese. On the other hand, the Vietnamese were fighting on their home territory, and were masters of guerrilla tactics and asymmetric warfare. They were backed by China and the Soviet Union, who provided material support and prevented the USA from using all of its firepower.

Aftermath

The United States moved to an all-volunteer army, which paid dividends during the Persian Gulf War in 1990, which was a quick, decisive American victory.

At home there was a period of malaise, followed by a resurgence in the 1980s under President Reagan.

Vietnam was united, and many who were associated with the South Vietnamese regime fled the country as refugees. Vietnam moved towards increasing freedom in the 1990s, and relations with the United States improved.