what were the causes course and consequences of the vietnam war

by Leola Kilback PhD 10 min read

The causes of the Vietnam War were derived from the symptoms, components and consequences of the Cold War

Cold War

The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union with its satellite states, and the United States with its allies after World War II. The historiography of the conflict began between 1946 and 1947. The Cold War began to de-escalate after the Revolutions of 1989. The co…

. The causes of the Vietnam War revolve around the simple belief held by America that communism was threatening to expand all over south-east Asia.

Causes: North Vietnam was communist and South Vietnam wasn't. North Vietnam was trying to take over South Vietnam with communism and the US jumped in to help the South. Course: Operation Rolling Thunder, which would attack not only the North Vietnamese military, but North Vietnam as a whole.

Full Answer

What are the major causes of the Vietnam War?

Effects. The collapse of the South Vietnamese government in the spring of 1975, resulting in a communist takeover of the South. The discrediting of the U.S. theory that the emergence of a unified, communist Vietnam would produce a "domino effect" involving the spread of communism throughout the rest of Southeast Asia.

What were the lasting effects of the Vietnam War?

Oct 02, 2012 · -Lyndon Johnson was taken out of office. -Failure to conclude the Vietnam War in the form of a decisive victory was a serious blow to military prestige. -US citezens lost alot of fail in the military because of this. -MANY people died. -Many soldiers suffered from post-war depression and trauma. - Vietnam was a reunited country.

Why was the Vietnam conflict not considered a war?

The fighting produced South Vietnamese civilian casualties, the result of Communist atrocities, “collateral damage” (accidental American bombing and shelling), and in a few instances—notably the My Lai massacre of March 1968—atrocities by U.S. troops (see “Spotlight on Atrocities During the Vietnam War”). 21.

Why did the United States lose the Vietnam War?

Vietnam War: The Major Causes and Consequences. The Vietnam War Had its beginnings at the end of World War II. The outbreak of the war began when a French colony named Indochina, which included Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, was invaded by the Japanese during World War II. In response to the invasion of Japan, a Vietnamese nationalist movement called Viet Minh …

What were the causes and effects of the Vietnam War?

In general, historians have identified several different causes of the Vietnam War, including: the spread of communism during the Cold War, American containment, and European imperialism in Vietnam.Jan 6, 2022

What were the causes of the Vietnam War?

Here are six events that led to the Vietnam War.The Collapse of French Indochina and Rise of Ho Chi Minh. ... Battle of Dien Bien Phu. ... The 1954 Geneva Accords Divide Vietnam. ... The Cold War. ... The Overthrow of Ngo Dinh Diem. ... Gulf of Tonkin Incident. ... 9 Unexpected Things Navy SEALs Discovered in Osama bin Laden's Compound.More items...•Aug 20, 2020

What were the consequences of the Vietnam War?

The most immediate effect of the Vietnam War was the staggering death toll. The war killed an estimated 2 million Vietnamese civilians, 1.1 million North Vietnamese troops and 200,000 South Vietnamese troops. During the air war, America dropped 8 million tons of bombs between 1965 and 1973.

What was one of the main causes of the Vietnam War?

The causes of the Vietnam War revolve around the simple belief held by America that communism was threatening to expand all over south-east Asia. Neither the Soviet Union nor the United States could risk an all-out war against each other, such was the nuclear military might of both.Mar 27, 2015

What were the short term effects of the Vietnam War?

Short Term Effects The Vietnam War lowered the age to vote to 18 and replaced the military draft with an all-volunteer force. The Wars power act was all passed, which restricted the president's ability to send troops without Congressional approval. The inflation affects us today.

What were the causes of the Vietnam War quizlet?

Basically the reason for the Vietnam War in the first place. Belief held by America that communism was threatening to expand all over south-east Asia. Under the control of Ho Chi Minh, took control of Northern Vietnam after the Chinese pulled out. In favor of communism and the biggest threat to America.

What were the consequences of the war at home and abroad?

What were the consequences of the war at home and abroad? The end of fighting led to wild celebrations throughout the world. America lost 53,000 servicemen in combat, and another 63,000 to disease. Germany lost 2 million, France 1.4 million, Great Britain 703,000 and Russia 1.7 million.

What happened in Vietnam after the Vietnam War?

After more than a century of foreign domination and 21 years of war and division, Vietnam was finally a single, independent nation, free from external control and interference. Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City, in honour of the revolutionary leader, who had died six years earlier.Jul 4, 2019

What was the outcome of the Vietnam War quizlet?

What was the outcome of the Vietnam war? South Vietnam surrendered to North Vietnam and united as a communist country.

How did American containment cause the Vietnam War?

The Vietnam War was a result of the national strategy of containment. The national strategy of containment demanded the U.S. stop communist aggression into the countries of Southeast Asia. This strategy was developed from a belief in the domino theory.

Why did US lose Vietnam War?

America “lost” South Vietnam because it was an artificial construct created in the wake of the French loss of Indochina. Because there never was an “organic” nation of South Vietnam, when the U.S. discontinued to invest military assets into that construct, it eventually ceased to exist.Nov 16, 2014

What was the main reason for US involvement in Vietnam quizlet?

- America's main reason for involvement in Vietnam was due to the fear of the spread of communism. The "Domino Theory" was a prevalent idea in many of the American leaders at the time.

What was the Indochina War?

A continuation of the Indochina War of 1946–1954 (1st Indochinese/ Vietnamese War), in which the Communist dominated Vietnamese nationalists (Viet Minh) defeated France's attempt to reestablish colonial rule. 6.2.

Who won control of Cambodia in 1975?

Hanoi gains control of the South, renames Saigon Ho Chi Minh City, its Communists allies, the Khmer Rouge, won control of Cambodia on 17 April 1975, and in Laos the Communists finally consolidated their control. fVietnam War Class Notes Dr. Juan R. Céspedes, Ph.D. 33.2.

What happened in August 1964?

In August 1964, American planes raided North Vietnam in retaliation for two torpedo boat attacks (the second of which is disputed) on U.S. destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin, the USS Maddox and Turner Joy (see “Spotlight on The Gulf of Tonkin Incident” below). 17.3.

What was the Vietnam War?

The Vietnam War was a long, costly and divisive conflict that pitted the communist government of North Vietnam against South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States. The conflict was intensified by the ongoing Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. More than 3 million people (including ...

What was the goal of Hanoi's communist leadership in 1967?

By the end of 1967, Hanoi’s communist leadership was growing impatient as well, and sought to strike a decisive blow aimed at forcing the better-supplied United States to give up hopes of success.

What was the NLF in Vietnam?

In December 1960, Diem’s many opponents within South Vietnam—both communist and non-communist—formed the National Liberation Front (NLF) to organize resistance to the regime. Though the NLF claimed to be autonomous and that most of its members were not communists, many in Washington assumed it was a puppet of Hanoi.

How many troops did President Johnson send to the war?

Despite the concerns of some of his advisers about this escalation, and about the entire war effort amid a growing anti-war movement, Johnson authorized the immediate dispatch of 100,000 troops at the end of July 1965 and another 100,000 in 1966.

Where is Vietnam located?

Vietnam, a nation in Southeast Asia on the eastern edge of the Indochinese peninsula, had been under French colonial rule since the 19th century. During World War II, Japanese forces invaded Vietnam.

Who was the leader of the Republic of Vietnam in 1955?

In 1955, however, the strongly anti-communist politician Ngo Dinh Diem pushed Emperor Bao aside to become president of the Government of the Republic of Vietnam (GVN), often referred to during that era as South Vietnam.

How many Americans died in Vietnam in 1967?

By November 1967, the number of American troops in Vietnam was approaching 500,000, and U.S. casualties had reached 15,058 killed and 109,527 wounded. As the war stretched on, some soldiers came to mistrust the government’s reasons for keeping them there, as well as Washington’s repeated claims that the war was being won.

What was the Vietnam War?

The Vietnam War Had its beginnings at the end of World War II. The outbreak of the war began when a French colony named Indochina, which included Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, was invaded by the Japanese during World War II. In response to the invasion of Japan, a Vietnamese nationalist movement called Viet Minh was formed in 1941, ...

What happened to Ho Chi Minh?

With Soviet pressure threatening, Ho Chi Minh was forced to negotiate the country's independence as part of the French colony. The French bombed the city of Haiphong in 1946 and took the city of Hanoi. After the bombings generated by France, a war between the French and Viet Minh began where it fought North Vietnam executing attacks against ...

How long did the Vietnam War last?

The Vietnam War lasted from 1954 to 1975.

Was the Vietnam War a civil war?

Based on the analysis of the documents, it is concluded that this war rather than a civil war was an international conflict.

What were the causes of the Vietnam War?

The causes of the Vietnam War revolve around the simple belief held by America that communism was threatening to expand all over south-east Asia.

What was the war in Vietnam?

The war in Vietnam was the result of years and decades of tensions within the country. For example, in the late 19th century France controlled the country as part of its colonial empire. This colonial history angered many in Vietnam and caused a growing sense of mistrust towards foreign powers. Next, Japan dominated the region in ...

When did the Vietnam War start?

It began from 1 November 1955 and came to the end with the fall ...

Who supported North Vietnam?

North Vietnam was supported by the Soviet Union, China and other communist allies meanwhile South Vietnam was supported by the United States, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Thailand and other anti-communist allies . The war is considered a Cold War-era proxy war from some US perspectives.

When did Vietnam split into North and South?

Vietnam divides into North and South. In April 1954, the world’s powers had met at Geneva to discuss Vietnam. In July 1954, it was decided to divide the country in two at the 17th parallel. Bao Dai was to lead the south and Ho Chi Minh the north.

What happened to the USS Maddox?

The ships engaged in a short firefight in which the USS Maddox damaged the torpedo boats, while escaping with only a single bullet hole. The second incident was said to have occurred two days later on August 4th. Again, it was suggested that Vietnamese ships and United States ships engaged in sea battle.

Was Vietnam part of the French Empire?

Vietnam before World War Two. Before World War Two, Vietnam had been part of the French Empire. During the war, the country had been overrun by the Japanese. When the Japanese retreated, the people of Vietnam took the opportunity to establish their own government lead by Ho Chi Minh.

What was the impact of the Vietnam War?

The war caused complete destruction of its infrastructure and thousands of its people were killed. Chemical warfare polluted much of its farmland. After the U.S. pulled out of Vietnam, the North Vietnamese began to massacre thousands of Vietnamese from the South.

When did Vietnam become independent?

Vietnam was united in 1975 after the final collapse of the Southern regime.

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  • In the United States, the effects of the Vietnam War would linger long after the last troops returned home in 1973. The nation spent more than $120 billion on the conflict in Vietnam from 1965-73; this massive spending led to widespread inflation, exacerbated by a worldwide oil crisis in 1973 and skyrocketing fuel prices. Psychologically, the effec...
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