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**__Overview:__**
The Vietnam War had begun long before the United States became involved and it was originally between North and South Vietnam. The war was a result of a growing number of tensions and foreign involvement in Vietnam. The United States didn't join the war because there was an attack on the U.S. or on the U.S. property, but they joined because they had a fear of another communist power to be formed in Indochina. The Vietnam War is also known as the Second Indochina War, and the First Indochina is one of the causes. Before World War II, France had control of Vietnam but during World War II, Japan had taken control of Vietnam. Once Japan had surrendered at the end of World War II, there were two groups that had wanted control over Vietnam. One was the French and the other was a group of nationalists that were known as the Viet Minh. This group was led by Ho Chi Minh ever since it was created in 1941. 1945 the Vietminh had stated that Vietnam was to be an independent nation and had created a nationalist government that was led by Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi. In 1946, France had returned to Vietnam in order to regain the control that they once had. By 1949, the French had driven Ho Chi Minh out of Hanoi and they had placed an ineffectual ruler in charge so that the French could remain in control. After 1950 the United States had begun to offer aid to the French war effort after they had recognized Bao Dai regime in Vietnam.

__Causes:__
=== - Occured as a result of growing tensions between North and South Vietnam - The Indochina War (Vietnam was wanted by France and Viet Minh - led by Ho Chi Minh) - The end of France being in control, leaving Vietnam to rule itself - Fighting Between Northern and Southern Vietnam started when the VietCong of Northern Vietnam tried to overthrow the govenrment in southern Vietnam. - The Dien Bien Phu Conference divided Vietnam into North and South. - When President Kennedy is assassinated, President Johnson takes over for him and brings the US into the Vietnam Was more officially ===

__Major Events:__
=== - November 2, 1963 - President of South Vietnam, Ngo Dinh Diem, was assassinated this day. - August 2, 1964 - The first Gulf Of Tonkin Incident occurred, when North Vietnam attacked the USS Maddox, starting a sea battle. - August 4, 1964 - The second Gulf of Tonkin Incident occurred, including another naval battle, leading to the US Congress to grant President Johnson the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. - January 31, 1968 - The Tet Offensive began, which was a military campaign, trying to create an uprising in South Vietnam. - March 16, 1968 - The US Army mass murdered unarmed civilians in South Vietnam, being named the My Lai Massacre. - March 18, 1969 - May 26, 1970 - Operation Menu was initiated on this day. This operation included a SAC bombing of eastern Cambodia, allegedly targeting sanctuaries and Base Areas for the Viet Cong. - January 23, 1973 - President Nixon began to withdrawal troops from Vietnam because of major social unrest of the American people and an inevitable dead end to the war. - April 30, 1975 - Saigon, South Vietnam, the capital, was captured by North Vietnam on this day, marking the end of the Vietnam War and the start of communism in the South. ===

__The End:__
=== - When the American people rally against the war and no progress is being made in Vietnam, President Johnson does not run for re-election and Nixon is elected President - Henry Kissinger, the National Security Advisor, made a private peace agreement with Le Duc Tho of North Vietnam in 1972. He demanded revisions and published the agreement to the public, embarrassing Nixon and leading him to order the bombing of Hanoi and Haiphong in December 1972 - January 27, 1973 - The Paris Peace Accords was signed and the rest of the American troops were pulled out of Vietnam - When all military aid for South Vietnam was ended, the country struggled and soon fell to communism ===

__Aftermath:__
- Because of the unawareness of the American people during the war and confusion in our part of it, much trust and respect was lost for American leaders.

__**Podcast:**__

media type="file" key="VietnamWarPodcast.m4a"