The Vietnam War, which lasted from 1955 to 1975, was a conflict primarily between the communist forces of North Vietnam, supported by the Soviet Union and China, and the non-communist forces of South Vietnam, supported by the United States and other anti-communist countries. The war had its roots in the division of Vietnam after World War II, when the country was split into North and South along the 17th parallel.

The main cause of the Vietnam War was the desire of the communist forces to unify the country under a single communist regime. The division of Vietnam led to political instability, as each side sought to gain control and influence over the country. In 1954, the Viet Minh, a communist group led by Ho Chi Minh, successfully defeated French colonial forces at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, leading to the Geneva Accords and the temporary division of Vietnam.

With the support of the United States, the government of South Vietnam attempted to prevent the spread of communism. The United States believed in the domino theory, which suggested that if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would also fall like dominos. The American policy of containment led to an increasing involvement in the Vietnam War, with the deployment of troops, military advisors, and aerial bombardment.

Tag: Vietnam War, Cold War, United States