Vietnam War – Dates, Causes & Facts

Vietnam War: The Vietnam War was a disastrous battle fought between South Vietnam, supported by the United States of America, and North Vietnam, supported by the Soviet Union and China. It was a protracted and contentious conflict, that unfolded as a complex struggle between the communist-led North Vietnam and the anti-communist South Vietnam, with the United States serving as a prominent ally to the latter.

It was one of the most important periods of the Cold War. While the war was officially fought between North Vietnam and South Vietnam it was an indirect battle between the US and the Soviet Union. The Vietnam War is one of the major topics addressed in the world history section of the UPSC Mains examination. In this article, we will explore the Vietnam War, how it started, the dates of the Vietnam War, who won the Vietnam War, and other important details about the war.

Historical Background of the Vietnam War

Since the 19th century, Vietnam, a country in Southeast Asia on the eastern tip of the Indochinese peninsula, has been ruled by France. Japanese forces attacked Vietnam during World War II. Political leader Ho Chi Minh created the Viet Minh, or the League for the Independence of Vietnam, to resist both the French colonial government and the Japanese occupiers. Ho Chi Minh was influenced by Chinese and Soviet communism.

After losing the Second World War in 1945, Japan withdrew its troops from Vietnam, handing power to the French-educated Emperor Bao Dai. Ho’s Viet Minh forces seized the chance to take power, capturing Hanoi in the north and establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) with Ho as its president. To take back control of the area, France supported Emperor Bao and established the state of Vietnam in July 1949, naming Saigon as its capital. Vietnam should be united, and it was what both sides desired. However, Bao and many others planned a Vietnam with strong economic and cultural ties to the West, while Ho and his followers wanted a country modeled after other communist nations.

Vietnam War Pictures

Vietnam War

When did the Vietnam War Start?

The Vietnam War was one of the most important periods of the Cold War and took place in the years 1955 to 1975. Although there had been persistent conflict in the area for several decades prior, the Vietnam War and the United States’ official participation in it started in 1954. Armed struggle between the northern and southern armies persisted after Ho’s communist forces took control of the north until the northern Viet Minh won the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in May 1954. Nearly a century of French colonial control in Indochina ended with the French defeat in the fight.

The following pact, which was signed in July 1954 during a conference in Geneva, divided Vietnam along the 17th Parallel, or 17 degrees north latitude, with Ho ruling in the north and Bao in the south. In addition, the pact stipulated that national elections for reunification would take place in 1956. But in 1955, Emperor Bao was removed from power by the fiercely anti-communist politician Ngo Dinh Diem, who went on to lead the Government of the Republic of Vietnam (GVN), also known as South Vietnam at the time.

Vietnam War Dates

The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, occurred from November 1, 1955, to April 30, 1975. The war involved North Vietnam, supported by the Soviet Union and China, against South Vietnam, supported by the United States and other anti-communist allies. The conflict also spilled over into neighboring countries, including Laos and Cambodia. Here are some key dates related to the Vietnam War:

1. November 1, 1955: The official start of the Vietnam War when the United States began providing military aid to the South Vietnamese government.
2. November 1, 1963: The coup in South Vietnam resulted in the assassination of President Ngo Dinh Diem.
3. August 2, 1964: The Gulf of Tonkin incident occurred, leading to increased U.S. involvement in Vietnam. The U.S. Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving President Lyndon B. Johnson broad powers to use military force in Vietnam.
4. March 8, 1965: The first U.S. combat troops arrived in Vietnam.
5. January 30, 1968, to February 28, 1969: The Tet Offensive, a major offensive by North Vietnamese forces against South Vietnam and U.S. forces.
6. June 8, 1972, to January 27, 1973: Operation Linebacker and Operation Linebacker II, U.S. bombing campaigns against North Vietnam.
7. January 27, 1973: The Paris Peace Accords were signed, leading to a ceasefire and the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Vietnam.
8. April 30, 1975: The fall of Saigon marked the end of the Vietnam War, with North Vietnamese forces capturing the capital of South Vietnam.

Causes of Vietnam War

• Colonial Background: Vietnam had a history of foreign domination, with French colonial rule dating back to the 19th century. The Vietnamese people, led by figures like Ho Chi Minh, sought independence from colonial powers.
• World War II and Japanese Occupation: During World War II, Japan occupied Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh and the Viet Minh, a nationalist and communist-led movement, resisted Japanese occupation. This resistance fostered a desire for independence among the Vietnamese.
• First Indochina War: After World War II, the French sought to regain control of Indochina, leading to the First Indochina War (1946-1954). The conflict ended with the Geneva Accords, which temporarily divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel and called for nationwide elections in 1956 to reunify the country.
• Cold War Dynamics: The Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union played a significant role. The U.S. adopted a policy of containment to prevent the spread of communism, leading to its involvement in regions like Southeast Asia.
• U.S. Support for South Vietnam: The U.S. supported the anti-communist government of South Vietnam, providing military aid and advisors. The fear of a “domino effect” — the idea that if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would follow — influenced U.S. policy.

Who Won the Vietnam War?

The answer to the question of who won in the Vietnam War has been up for debate, and it depends on how victory is defined. The fact that American forces beat communist forces in the majority of Vietnam’s major battles is mentioned by some who believe that America won the war. Also, they claim that generally, American deaths were lower than those of its opponents. There were 58,220 American casualties according to the US military. While estimates of North Vietnamese and Viet Cong casualties vary greatly, it is generally accepted that their losses were several times greater than those of the Americans.

People who claim that the war was won by the enemies of the United States point to the country’s general objectives and achievements. The main reason for US entry into Vietnam was to stop communists from seizing control of the country. It was unsuccessful in that regard since, in July 1976, the two Vietnams were unified under a communist flag. Similar communist takeovers occurred in neighboring Laos and Cambodia. Also, peace and army withdrawals were required, not optional, due to internal instability and the financial burden of war.

Viet Cong

As the Cold War grew more intense on a global scale, the US toughened its stance against any Soviet allies, and by 1955, President Dwight D. Eisenhower had firmly supported Diem and South Vietnam. Diem’s security forces repressed supporters of Viet Minh in the south, whom he mockingly referred to as Viet Cong (or Vietnamese Communist), with the help of US military and CIA training and equipment. Approximately 100,000 people were imprisoned, many of whom were subjected to severe torture and execution.

The Viet Cong and other opponents of Diem’s oppressive dictatorship started retaliating in 1957 by attacking government figures and other targets. By 1959, they had started exchanging gunfire with the South Vietnamese army. The National Liberation Front (NLF) was established in December 1960 by Diem’s many opponents in South Vietnam, both communist and non-communist, to coordinate opposition to the government. Many in Washington felt the NLF was a puppet of Hanoi, despite its claims of autonomy and the fact that the majority of its members were not communists.

The US Enters the Vietnam War

Three weeks before Kennedy was killed, in November 1963, Diem was also assassinated. This, along with an assault by DRV torpedo boats, prompted Lyndon B. Johnson, Kenney’s successor, to increase financial and military support for South Vietnam.

William Westmoreland, the US commander in Vietnam, implemented a killing strategy that prioritized the death of more soldiers over the occupation of new territory. This would fall short in the face of Viet Cong guerilla warfare, which was further reinforced by Chinese and Soviet help. Huge numbers of civilians were killed as Viet Cong sites were bombed, and a flood of refugees toward South Vietnamese cities severely taxed the country’s resources.

There were around 500,000 American soldiers in Vietnam as of November 1967. Along with the increase in population came casualties, with 15,000 people killed and over 100,000 injured. Many soldiers started to doubt their reason for being in Vietnam as the war dragged on, as well as the claims of their government that the war was being won.

This idea was destroyed in 1968 with the start of the Tet Offensive. The American public was taken aback by the unexpected strength of the North Vietnamese army’s attack on US bases in the South, even though the American and South Vietnamese forces regrouped and defeated the offensive. Massacres committed by US forces against civilians, such as the one at Mai Lai, served to fuel anti-war sentiments even more.

How did the Vietnam War End?

The Vietnam War ended with the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, marking the victory of North Vietnamese forces and the reunification of Vietnam under communist control. The ultimate peace deal between North Vietnam and the United States was reached in January 1973 with the signing of the Paris Peace Accords.

The war between North and South Vietnam raged until April 30, 1975, when North Vietnamese forces overran Saigon. The ultimate peace deal between North Vietnam and the United States was reached in January 1973. Ho Chi Minh City replaced the name Saigon. Vietnam’s economy and population were destroyed by the conflict. There were about 2 million Vietnamese deaths and 3 million injuries. There were up to 58,000 dead Americans.

How many People Died in the Vietnam War?

Vietnam officially estimated in 1995 that up to 2,000,000 civilians from both sides and about 1,100,000 Viet Cong and North Vietnamese fighters had died in the Vietnam War. According to estimates from the U.S. military, between 200,000 and 250,000 South Vietnamese soldiers lost their lives. There are almost 58,300 names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., honoring American service members who were killed or disappeared while serving in Vietnam. Other nations that fought for South Vietnam included New Zealand with roughly twelve, Australia with about five hundred, Thailand with about three hundred, and South Korea with almost four thousand dead.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is the most popular memorial on the National Mall in Washington, with over 5 million visitors annually. A huge wall listing the names of the more than 58,000 soldiers and women who died in the Vietnam War is the memorial’s most striking feature.

The Vietnam Women’s Memorial, the Three Servicemen statue, the In Memoria plaque, and a flagpole carved with the symbols of the five military branches of the nation at the time are further parts of the memorial. On Veterans Day in 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall was dedicated, keeping a veteran’s pledge to never forget those who served and gave their lives during the Vietnam War.

Global Implications of the Vietnam War

The Vietnam War, which took place from 1955 to 1975, had significant global implications that affected various countries and international relations:

• The Vietnam War occurred during the Cold War, a period of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. The U.S. involvement in Vietnam was seen as part of its strategy to contain the spread of communism
• The Vietnam War had a profound impact on the United States. It led to a divided American society, with widespread protests against the war.
• Despite U.S. efforts, North Vietnam, a communist state, succeeded in reunifying Vietnam in 1975. This victory had a ripple effect, inspiring other anti-colonial and anti-imperial movements in the developing world.
• The Vietnam War had repercussions in neighboring countries. The conflict spilled over into Cambodia and Laos, leading to further instability and conflicts.
• The war had severe humanitarian consequences, with millions of Vietnamese civilians and soldiers losing their lives. The extensive use of chemical agents like Agent Orange left a lasting impact on the health of the Vietnamese people and the environment.
• The Vietnam War left a legacy of mistrust in international relations. Nations became cautious about military interventions, and the war influenced diplomatic approaches in subsequent conflicts.

Movies Based on Vietnam War

There are various movies that explored the experiences of Vietnam War. Some Movies that were based on the Vietnam War are given below:

• Apocalypse Now (1979)
• Platoon (1986)
• Full Metal Jacket (1987)
• The Deer Hunter (1978)
• We Were Soldiers (2002)
• Hamburger Hill (1987)
• Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
• Rescue Dawn (2006)

Conclusion – Vietnam War : Dates, Causes & Facts

The Vietnam War, a prolonged and divisive conflict, unfolded between North Vietnam, supported by the Soviet Union and China, and South Vietnam, backed by the United States. This Cold War battleground, officially spanning from 1955 to 1975, witnessed key events like the Gulf of Tonkin incident and the Tet Offensive. The war’s impact was profound, with significant loss of life, societal upheaval, and geopolitical repercussions. The question of who won remains debated, considering complex objectives and achievements. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial stands as a poignant reminder, honoring over 58,000 American lives lost. Movies like “Platoon” and “Apocalypse Now” vividly capture the war’s essence. The conflict’s end in 1975 marked the fall of Saigon and the reunification of Vietnam under communist rule. The Vietnam War, etched in history, remains a crucial topic in global examinations like the UPSC Mains.

FAQs on Vietnam War : Dates, Causes & Facts

1. When did the Vietnam War Start?

The Vietnam War officially began on November 1, 1955, and lasted until the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975.

2. Who Won the Vietnam War?

The Vietnam War is generally considered to have ended with the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, when North Vietnamese forces captured the capital of South Vietnam.

3. What is the vietnam war date?

The Date of Vietnam War is November 1, 1955, and lasted until the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975

4. Why did US go to War in Vietnam?

The main reason for US entry into Vietnam was to stop communists from seizing control of the country. It was unsuccessful in that regard since, in July 1976, the two Vietnams were unified under a communist flag. Similar communist takeovers occurred in neighboring Laos and Cambodia.

5. Why did the US Bomb Vietnam?

The first purpose of the operation was to send a diplomatic message to Hanoi about American determination, successfully threatening to intensify violence until Ho Chi Minh “blinked.” The second goal was to boost the already low morale of South Vietnamese soldiers.

6. When did US Leave Vietnam?

The American troops withdrew from Vietnam on March 29, 1973, when Master Sgt. Max Beilke, the final combat soldier, departed. On January 23, 1973, President Richard Nixon declared that North Vietnam and the United States had signed a treaty ending the conflict.

7. Why did America Lose the Vietnam War?

The US army possessed better conventional weapons, but they were useless against an unindustrialized nation and an army that used guerilla warfare and the thick jungle as cover.

8. How did Vietnam War End?

In March 1975, North Vietnamese forces launched a significant offensive in the Central Highlands after reconstructing their armed units and modernizing their supply infrastructure. When NVA tanks entered the Presidential Palace in Saigon on April 30, 1975, the war was declared over.

9. How many years vietnam war lasted?

The Vietnam War officially lasted for about 19 years, from November 1, 1955, to April 30, 1975.