Vietnam War History Overview

• The history of Vietnam is marked by conflict and dynastic struggles, leading to fragmentation and the influence of various cultures.
• The idea of a unified Vietnamese people throughout history is a modern construct.
• The war in Vietnam that started in 1955 lasted for 20 years and was internationally reported.
• The war was seen by America as a fight against communism, with a belief in stopping the spread of communism globally.
• The Tet Offensive and the Viet Cong's attack on the American Embassy in Saigon shifted American public opinion against the war.
• The devastation of the war in Vietnam continues to have lasting effects.
• Vietnam is geographically divided into major river deltas: the Red River delta in the North and the Mekong delta in the South.
• Vietnam was first settled by different ethnic groups, including the Vietnamese, Cham people, and Cambodians.
• European contact with Vietnam began with Portuguese Catholic missionaries, followed by significant French influence and colonization.
• Alexander de Rhodes was a significant French missionary who influenced Vietnamese language and religion.
• The French colonization of Vietnam began in the 19th century, leading to the establishment of French Indochina.
• Ho Chi Minh, educated by the French, became a key figure in Vietnam's fight for independence from French and Japanese occupation.
• Vietnam was divided into North and South after the Geneva Conference in 1954, leading to conflicts between the Viet Minh and the South Vietnamese government.
• The United States became involved in Vietnam to stop the spread of communism, fearing a domino effect in Southeast Asia.
• President Kennedy sent military advisors to train South Vietnamese soldiers, leading to a significant escalation of US involvement.
• The US feared losing to communism in Vietnam, leading to a build-up of American troops and involvement in combat operations.
• The US intervention in Vietnam was influenced by the threat of Soviet communism and the fear of a communist takeover in Southeast Asia.
• President Kennedy was conflicted about Vietnam but believed in supporting South Vietnam against communism.
• The assassination of President Diem marked a turning point in South Vietnamese leadership, leading to increased instability.
• President Kennedy's assassination in 1963 further shocked the nation and influenced US policy towards Vietnam.- Vice President Lyndon Johnson left the hospital in Dallas around 2:00 Eastern Standard Time, shortly after the assassination of President Kennedy, and was expected to take the oath of office as the 36th president of the United States.
• Johnson inherited an economic crisis and the commitment to Vietnam from Kennedy, with the situation worsening due to the Viet Cong's strength and rise of Communism.
• In August 1964, an incident in the Gulf of Tonkin led President Johnson to escalate the situation by ordering the bombing of torpedo boat bases and an oil Depot.
• President Johnson obtained almost unanimous approval from Congress to escalate the war in Vietnam, leading to a full-scale military action and deployment of bombing aircraft.
• The United States buildup of ground troops in South Vietnam led to increased recruitment by Communist guerrillas, while the destruction escalated significantly in both populated and forested areas.
• Operation Rolling Thunder was initiated to bomb North Vietnam's industry and supply lines, lasting for three years and inflicting massive damage.
• The war in Vietnam resulted in large casualties on both sides, with continuous rioting in Saigon and a significant impact on Vietnamese livelihood and society.

Test your knowledge on the history of Vietnam, from ancient times through French colonization to the Vietnam War and its aftermath. Explore key events, figures, and impacts of this significant period in Vietnamese and American history.