1955 - 1975

Conflict Begins
The Vietnam War had its origins in the broader Indochina wars of the 1940s and 50s.

The French Indochina War broke out in 1946 and went on for eight years.

The accords established the 17th parallel as a temporary demarcation line separating the
military forces of the French and the Viet Minh

North of the line was the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, or North Vietnam

In the South the French transferred most of their authority to the State of Vietnam, which
had its capital at Saigon and was nominally under the authority of the former Vietnamese
emperor

Within 300 days of the signing of the accords, a demilitarized zone, or DMZ, was to be
created by mutual withdrawal of forces north and south of the 17th parallel
North Vietnam Vs South Vietnam
North Vietnam South Vietnam
In favor Communism Anti - Communist

Supported by China, Soviet Union, Supported by the United States, South

North Korea Korea

Was sent supplies U.S. had sent troops to help

U.S. Involvement 1955 President Dwight D.
Eisenhower had pledged his firm
support to Diem and South
Vietnam.

President John F. Kennedy

increased U.S. aid, increasing U.S.
military presence in South Vietnam
from 800 troops to 9,000 troops.

Escalation of the war caused the

U.S. troop count to 82,000 by
1965, and kept increasing as the
war progressed.
TET OFFENSIVE
Launched by General Vo Nguyen Giap

Series of coordinated attacks on over

100 cities and towns in South
Vietnam

U.S. and South Vietnamese forces

managed to strike back quickly

Communists were unable to hold any

of the targets for more than a day or
two

General Westmoreland had requested

200,000 additional troops
Anti-War Protests Hundreds of anti-war
marches and gatherings
throughout the country.

By 1967, fewer than 50

percent of citizens claimed
that they supported of
presidents conduct of the
war.

In Washington, D.C., over

250,000 Americans
gathered, calling for
withdrawal of American
troops from Vietnam
End of the War
In January 1973, the United
States and North Korea
concluded a final peace
agreement.

March 29, 1973, the last U.S.

military unit left Vietnam

War between North and

South Vietnam continued
until April 30, 1975 when
DRV forces captured Saigon.
Casualties
More than 3 million people
killed

Halve were civilians

58,000 american troops

Thousands affected by Agent

orange

12 million became refugees

Work Cited
http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/vietnam-war-history

https://www.britannica.com/event/Vietnam-War

http://www.ushistory.org/us/55.asp