Road to War
Ho Chi Minh was the Vietnamese nationalist, later a communist leader. In 1954, French surrendered to Vietnamese after a major defeat. The domino theory was the United States theory of communist expansion in Southeast Asia.
The Vietnam War (1957-1973)
Ngo Dinh Diem lead the anti-communist government in South Vietnam. The Vietcong were South Vietnamese communist guerillas who fought against Diem. In 1964, the United States sent troops to fight the Vietcong and North Vietnamese. The United States fought geurilla war defending increasingly unpopular government. The Vietcong gained support from Ho Chi Minh, China, and the Soviet Union.
The war grew unpopular with the United States, and in 1969 Nixon started to withdraw troops using vietnamization. Vietnamization was Nixon's plan to withdraw the United States from the war gradually. The last United States troops leave in 1973, and South Vietnam was overrun in 1975.
The war grew unpopular with the United States, and in 1969 Nixon started to withdraw troops using vietnamization. Vietnamization was Nixon's plan to withdraw the United States from the war gradually. The last United States troops leave in 1973, and South Vietnam was overrun in 1975.