The Vietnam War
Who?
North Vietnam (Communist) or also called the Viet Cong
South Vietnam (Anti-Communist)
USA thought that the communism would spread into the surrounding countries. Thought that it was a risk to leave it as it was.
Soviet Union
China
Australia being closer to the war also got worried and joined the war to make sure that the communism didn't spread to itself.
Cambodia and Laos were also affected by this war as they bordered Vietnam
Some Key Individuals
Ho Chi Minh
Ngo Dinh Diem
Vo Nguyen Giap
He was in charge when Vietnam split into the Communist North and Democratic South
He was one of the chief military commanders commanding the North Army
The use of the Ho Chi Minh Trail
He was the motivation for the North to keep fighting against the South
He passed away in 1969
He was given credit for the 1968 Tet offensive and the 1972 Easter offensive
President of South Vietnam from 1955-1963
John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Lyndon Baines Johnson
Presidents of USA who supported South Vietnam
He escalated USA's involvement in the war during the time he was in power. Sending military and economical support to South Vietnam. He was a firm believer in protecting South Vietnam's democracy
General William Westmoreland
Was the commander of the U.S. Military Assistance Compound for the time period of the significant involvement in the support of South Vietnam.
Richard M. Nixon
Was a president responsible for the ending of the war
Tet Offensive
Happened on 30 January
Attack on 100 cities and villages
85,000 troops from North Vietnam attacked different locations at the same time on the lunar new year.
The aim was for this was to be the deciding battle
In total, 58,000 North Vietnamese soldiers were killed. 4000 US troops were killed and 14000 South Vietnamese citizens were killed
Overall deaths
2 million citizens on both sides
1.1 million Viet Cong and North Vietnamese soldiers
Between 200,000 to 250,000 South Vietnamese Soldiers
58,000 US Soldiers
More than 400,000 South Korean Soldiers
350 soldiers from Thailand
More than 500 from Australias
36 soldiers from New Zealand
This attack was intended to push the Americans away from South Vietnam.