VIETNAM WAR:
1955 to 1975.
JUNE 1, 2023
,Grade 11 and 12 notes
Table of Contents
Vietnam War:..............................................................................................................................................................2
1. 1945-1954:..........................................................................................................................................................2
2. 1955-1960:..........................................................................................................................................................2
3. 1961-1964:..........................................................................................................................................................2
4. 1965-1968:..........................................................................................................................................................2
5. 1969-1972:..........................................................................................................................................................2
6. 1973-1975:..........................................................................................................................................................3
Key differences between South Vietnam (Diem) and North Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh) during the Vietnam War:...3
analysis of the Vietnam War, including the leaders involved, presented in a table format:.................................3
First Indochina War (1946-1954)................................................................................................................................4
Geneva Agreements of 1954, which aimed to resolve the First Indochina War........................................................4
Viet Cong.....................................................................................................................................................................5
Guerilla tactics.............................................................................................................................................................6
- united states involvement........................................................................................................................................7
Tet Offensive of 1968 and its significance as a turning point in the Vietnam War....................................................8
Vietnam War from different perspectives on the key objectives, strategies, and outcomes:...................................9
US withdrawal from Vietnam between 1968 and 1975...........................................................................................11
The consequences of the Vietnam war....................................................................................................................12
Leaders......................................................................................................................................................................12
Questions..............................................................................................................................................................14
Answers.................................................................................................................................................................14
Page 1 of 16
,Grade 11 and 12 notes
VIETNAM WAR:
The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, took place from 1955 to 1975. It began after the
division of Vietnam into North and South following the First Indochina War against French colonial rule. The
conflict officially ended in 1975 when North Vietnamese forces captured Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), the capital
of South Vietnam, leading to the reunification of the country under communist rule.
1. 1945-1954:
- Vietnam fights for independence from French colonial rule.
- The First Indochina War ensues, with the communist Viet Minh led by Ho Chi Minh battling French forces.
- The war ends with the Geneva Accords, dividing Vietnam at the 17th parallel into North Vietnam (under Ho Chi
Minh) and South Vietnam (under Emperor Bao Dai).
2. 1955-1960:
- Ngo Dinh Diem assumes power in South Vietnam and establishes an authoritarian regime.
- North Vietnam initiates guerrilla warfare in the South through the Viet Cong (VC), aiming to reunify the country
under communism.
- The United States begins providing military aid and advisors to South Vietnam.
3. 1961-1964:
- U.S. involvement intensifies with the deployment of combat troops to South Vietnam.
- Strategic hamlets are implemented to separate villagers from the Viet Cong.
- The Gulf of Tonkin incident occurs in 1964, leading to increased U.S. military action in Vietnam.
4. 1965-1968:
- The U.S. conducts large-scale military operations, including bombing campaigns and search-and-destroy
missions.
- The Tet Offensive in 1968 shocks the U.S. public and erodes support for the war.
- Anti-war protests and opposition to the conflict grow in the United States.
5. 1969-1972:
- President Richard Nixon pursues a policy of Vietnamization, gradually withdrawing U.S. troops and increasing
South Vietnamese responsibility.
- Secret bombing campaigns are conducted in neighboring Cambodia and Laos.
- Peace talks between the U.S. and North Vietnam begin in Paris.
Page 2 of 16
, Grade 11 and 12 notes
6. 1973-1975:
- The Paris Peace Accords are signed, ending direct U.S. involvement in the war.
- Fighting continues between North and South Vietnam, with sporadic ceasefires and violations.
- In 1975, North Vietnamese forces launch a major offensive, capturing Saigon (the capital of South Vietnam) and
reunifying the country under communist rule.
The Vietnam War resulted in a high death toll, political and social upheaval, and deep divisions within the United
States. Its legacy has had a profound impact on subsequent American foreign policy and military interventions.
KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SOUTH VIETNAM (DIEM) AND NORTH VIETNAM (HO CHI MINH)
DURING THE VIETNAM WAR:
Aspect South Vietnam (Diem) North Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh)
Political Capitalist and anti-communist Communist and pro-independence
Ideology
Government Republic with a centralized and authoritarian Socialist state with a centralized and
regime authoritarian regime
External Supported by the United States and its allies Supported by the Soviet Union, China, and
Support other communist countries
Military Tactics Relied heavily on conventional warfare and Utilized guerrilla warfare and unconventional
foreign support tactics
Economy Market-oriented economy with U.S. aid and Planned economy with state control and
investment collectivization
Popular Mixed support, often due to government Strong popular support due to nationalist and
Support corruption and repression communist ideologies
ANALYSIS OF THE VIETNAM WAR, INCLUDING THE LEADERS INVOLVED, PRESENTED IN A TABLE
FORMAT:
Aspect Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Vietnam War Strategic location, Lack of advanced Support from Escalation of U.S.
familiarity with the weaponry compared to communist allies military intervention
terrain the U.S. (Soviet Union, China) and firepower
North Vietnam Strong nationalist Limited industrial and U.S. anti-war Heavy bombing
(Ho Chi Minh) sentiment, effective economic resources sentiment and campaigns and
guerrilla tactics divisions within the military offensives by
U.S. the U.S.
South Vietnam Initial U.S. support, Weak political and Opportunity for Popular discontent
Page 3 of 16
1955 to 1975.
JUNE 1, 2023
,Grade 11 and 12 notes
Table of Contents
Vietnam War:..............................................................................................................................................................2
1. 1945-1954:..........................................................................................................................................................2
2. 1955-1960:..........................................................................................................................................................2
3. 1961-1964:..........................................................................................................................................................2
4. 1965-1968:..........................................................................................................................................................2
5. 1969-1972:..........................................................................................................................................................2
6. 1973-1975:..........................................................................................................................................................3
Key differences between South Vietnam (Diem) and North Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh) during the Vietnam War:...3
analysis of the Vietnam War, including the leaders involved, presented in a table format:.................................3
First Indochina War (1946-1954)................................................................................................................................4
Geneva Agreements of 1954, which aimed to resolve the First Indochina War........................................................4
Viet Cong.....................................................................................................................................................................5
Guerilla tactics.............................................................................................................................................................6
- united states involvement........................................................................................................................................7
Tet Offensive of 1968 and its significance as a turning point in the Vietnam War....................................................8
Vietnam War from different perspectives on the key objectives, strategies, and outcomes:...................................9
US withdrawal from Vietnam between 1968 and 1975...........................................................................................11
The consequences of the Vietnam war....................................................................................................................12
Leaders......................................................................................................................................................................12
Questions..............................................................................................................................................................14
Answers.................................................................................................................................................................14
Page 1 of 16
,Grade 11 and 12 notes
VIETNAM WAR:
The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, took place from 1955 to 1975. It began after the
division of Vietnam into North and South following the First Indochina War against French colonial rule. The
conflict officially ended in 1975 when North Vietnamese forces captured Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), the capital
of South Vietnam, leading to the reunification of the country under communist rule.
1. 1945-1954:
- Vietnam fights for independence from French colonial rule.
- The First Indochina War ensues, with the communist Viet Minh led by Ho Chi Minh battling French forces.
- The war ends with the Geneva Accords, dividing Vietnam at the 17th parallel into North Vietnam (under Ho Chi
Minh) and South Vietnam (under Emperor Bao Dai).
2. 1955-1960:
- Ngo Dinh Diem assumes power in South Vietnam and establishes an authoritarian regime.
- North Vietnam initiates guerrilla warfare in the South through the Viet Cong (VC), aiming to reunify the country
under communism.
- The United States begins providing military aid and advisors to South Vietnam.
3. 1961-1964:
- U.S. involvement intensifies with the deployment of combat troops to South Vietnam.
- Strategic hamlets are implemented to separate villagers from the Viet Cong.
- The Gulf of Tonkin incident occurs in 1964, leading to increased U.S. military action in Vietnam.
4. 1965-1968:
- The U.S. conducts large-scale military operations, including bombing campaigns and search-and-destroy
missions.
- The Tet Offensive in 1968 shocks the U.S. public and erodes support for the war.
- Anti-war protests and opposition to the conflict grow in the United States.
5. 1969-1972:
- President Richard Nixon pursues a policy of Vietnamization, gradually withdrawing U.S. troops and increasing
South Vietnamese responsibility.
- Secret bombing campaigns are conducted in neighboring Cambodia and Laos.
- Peace talks between the U.S. and North Vietnam begin in Paris.
Page 2 of 16
, Grade 11 and 12 notes
6. 1973-1975:
- The Paris Peace Accords are signed, ending direct U.S. involvement in the war.
- Fighting continues between North and South Vietnam, with sporadic ceasefires and violations.
- In 1975, North Vietnamese forces launch a major offensive, capturing Saigon (the capital of South Vietnam) and
reunifying the country under communist rule.
The Vietnam War resulted in a high death toll, political and social upheaval, and deep divisions within the United
States. Its legacy has had a profound impact on subsequent American foreign policy and military interventions.
KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SOUTH VIETNAM (DIEM) AND NORTH VIETNAM (HO CHI MINH)
DURING THE VIETNAM WAR:
Aspect South Vietnam (Diem) North Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh)
Political Capitalist and anti-communist Communist and pro-independence
Ideology
Government Republic with a centralized and authoritarian Socialist state with a centralized and
regime authoritarian regime
External Supported by the United States and its allies Supported by the Soviet Union, China, and
Support other communist countries
Military Tactics Relied heavily on conventional warfare and Utilized guerrilla warfare and unconventional
foreign support tactics
Economy Market-oriented economy with U.S. aid and Planned economy with state control and
investment collectivization
Popular Mixed support, often due to government Strong popular support due to nationalist and
Support corruption and repression communist ideologies
ANALYSIS OF THE VIETNAM WAR, INCLUDING THE LEADERS INVOLVED, PRESENTED IN A TABLE
FORMAT:
Aspect Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Vietnam War Strategic location, Lack of advanced Support from Escalation of U.S.
familiarity with the weaponry compared to communist allies military intervention
terrain the U.S. (Soviet Union, China) and firepower
North Vietnam Strong nationalist Limited industrial and U.S. anti-war Heavy bombing
(Ho Chi Minh) sentiment, effective economic resources sentiment and campaigns and
guerrilla tactics divisions within the military offensives by
U.S. the U.S.
South Vietnam Initial U.S. support, Weak political and Opportunity for Popular discontent
Page 3 of 16
