parties
The Vietnam War pitted communist forces of North Vietnam and its southern allies, the Viet Cong, against anti-communist forces of South Vietnam and the United States. The Viet Cong was a guerilla force operating in South Vietnam, using guerilla strategies of ambush, terrorism, and sabotage. Communist forces also included Khmer Rouge and Pathet Lao, and received support from China, the Soviet Union, Cuba, North Korea, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, and East Germany. In addition to South Vietnam and the United States, anti-communist forces included South Korea, Australia, Thailand, New Zealand, the Khmer Republic, and the Kingdom of Laos. Anti-communist forces also received support from the Philippines, Taiwan, Canada, West Germany, the United Kingdom, Iran and Spain.
John f. kennedy
President John F. Kennedy increased American aid in Vietnam and grew presence of U.S. military advisers to over 16,000. President Kennedy also pressured the Diem government to institute political and economic reforms.
lyndon b. johnson
After Kennedy's assassination, President Lyndon B. Johnson took charge of the growing crisis in Vietnam. President Johnson increased the number of U.S. troops in Vietnam in hopes of securing an American victory before withdrawal.
Richard nixon
President Richard Nixon promised a reduction in U.S. troops stationed in Vietnam. President Nixon employed a plan known as "Vietnamization", allowing the U.S. to slowly withdraw from fighting, leaving the South Vietnamese army to handle combat. Despite Nixon's promises, American ground troop levels in Vietnam remained high and the war expanded into Laos and Cambodia. The last U.S. combat soldiers left Vietnam during Nixon’s presidency in 1973.
ho chi minh
Ho Chi Minh was a Vietnamese Communist fighting to free Vietnam from colonial rule for much of his life. In the Vietnam War, Ho Chi Minh aimed to drive U.S. forces from Vietnam, overtake the South Vietnamese government, and reunify the country. Ho Chi Minh died in 1969, before North Vietnam was able to accomplish his objectives.
ngo dinh diem
Ngo Dinh Diem was a strong anti-communist and a Vietnamese politician. Backed by the U.S., Diem led South Vietnam from 1954 to 1963, when he was assassinated. Because of his unpopularity, Diem and his brother were both killed in a military coup.