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Japan's Surrender to the Allies
Japan surrendered to the Allies and in result gave up their control of Indochina. This gave way for the opportunity of the independence of Vietnam. However, there were barriers preventing this. (Political-because it relates to the affairs of Vietnam's government) -
French push-back
Because France did not want to lose their colony, French troops came back to Vietnam to expel Vietnam's independence. However, the Vietminh were strong and the French needed assistance.(Economic-France is motivated by the resources Vietnam provides and doesn't want to lose it) -
America gives aid to France
Despite being against colonialism, America decided to aid France in fear that, if they did not, Vietnam would fall to communism. (Political-This relates to the government model of communism and America's efforts to destroy it.) -
Defeat at Dien Bien Phu
Even with the aid of the United States, France still were defeated time and time again by the Vietminh who used guerrilla tactics. The lack of victories cumulated with the defeat at Dien Bien Phu and convinced the French to make peace with Indochina. (Military-Relates to the details of battle) -
Geneva Accords
Negotiations to end the conflict resulted in a temporary division of Vietnam. North would be controlled by Ho Chi Minh and the Vietminh while the South would be controlled by an anti-communist leader Ngo Dinh Diem. The accords called for elections to be held to reunite the country under one government but Diem denied this. Because of this, Ho Chi Minh and the Communists gathered an army to reunify the nation. -
Rise of the Vietcong
As Eisenhower sent military advisers to train the South Vietnam army, Ho Chi Minh organized a guerilla army of South Vietnamese Communists known as the Vietcong. They continued to grow more powerful because many Vietnamese opposed Diem's government. (Military-Has to do with the building of army's) -
Trying to win public support
The Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) attempted to use its influence to try and convince the American people that the U.S was winning against Vietnam, to gain public support. National TV networks expanded their news to 30 minutes and by 1968, more than 600 journalists reported on the war. The newspapers contradicted what MACV said which made the people lose trust. -
The End
North Vietnamese captured Saigon, South Vietnam's capital marking the end of the war and the defeat of South Vietnam and the defeat of America. -
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial
The war was largely considered a defeat so, at first, the veterans' sacrifices went largely unrecognized. To show gratitude, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was created in Washington, D.C.. This memorial is a large black granite wall inscribed with the names of the people killed and the people who went missing from the war. (Military-Has to do with the effects of war)