FAQ About History for History Students

The Vietnam War, which lasted from 1955 to 1975, was a complex conflict involving multiple parties and events. Here are some key events that occurred during the Vietnam War:

• First Indochina War: The Vietnam War can be seen as an extension of the First Indochina War (1946-1954) fought between the French colonial forces and the communist Viet Minh led by Ho Chi Minh. The war ended with the defeat of the French and the Geneva Accords of 1954, which temporarily divided Vietnam along the 17th parallel.
• Gulf of Tonkin Incident: In August 1964, the USS Maddox, a U.S. naval destroyer, was allegedly attacked by North Vietnamese patrol boats in the Gulf of Tonkin. This incident led to the U.S. Congress passing the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving President Lyndon B. Johnson broad authority to escalate U.S. involvement in Vietnam.
• U.S. Troop Buildup: Beginning in 1965, the United States significantly increased its military presence in Vietnam. U.S. troops were sent as combat forces to support the South Vietnamese government in their fight against the communist North Vietnamese forces.
• Tet Offensive: In January 1968, the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong launched a large-scale offensive against South Vietnamese cities and U.S. military installations. Although the offensive was eventually repelled, it had a significant psychological impact on public opinion in the United States and eroded support for the war effort.
• My Lai Massacre: In March 1968, American troops from the Charlie Company, under the command of Lieutenant William Calley, carried out a massacre of unarmed Vietnamese civilians, including women, children, and elderly individuals, in the village of My Lai. The incident became public knowledge in 1969, sparking outrage and further undermining support for the war.
• Anti-War Protests: The Vietnam War was met with widespread opposition and anti-war protests both in the United States and around the world. These protests grew in size and intensity over the course of the conflict, reflecting public discontent and opposition to U.S. involvement.
• Paris Peace Accords: In 1973, negotiations in Paris resulted in the signing of the Paris Peace Accords, which aimed to end the war and restore peace in Vietnam. The accords called for a ceasefire, the withdrawal of U.S. troops, the release of prisoners of war, and the establishment of a temporary division of Vietnam at the 17th parallel.
• Fall of Saigon: Following the withdrawal of U.S. troops, the conflict continued between the North and South Vietnamese forces. In April 1975, North Vietnamese forces captured the capital city of Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), marking the end of the war and the reunification of Vietnam under communist rule.