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Vietnam War

Definition

The Vietnam War was a long, costly armed conflict that pitted the communist regime of North Vietnam and its southern allies, known as the Viet Cong, against South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States. It occurred from 1955 to 1975.

Analogy

Think of the Vietnam War like a high-stakes game of tug-of-war. On one side you have North Vietnam with their friends (the Viet Cong), pulling for communism. On the other side is South Vietnam and their buddy (the U.S.), tugging for democracy. The rope is stretched over a pit of societal and economic consequences, making it a dangerous game where both sides suffered losses.

Related terms

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution: This was an agreement in the U.S Congress in response to two naval incidents in Southeast Asia. It gave President Lyndon B. Johnson authorization, without a formal declaration of war by Congress, for the use of conventional military force in Southeast Asia.

Tet Offensive: A major campaign of attacks launched throughout South Vietnam by North Vietnamese forces and Viet Cong in 1968; although it resulted in heavy losses for North Vietnamese forces, it significantly undermined U.S public support for American involvement in the war.

Vietnamization: This was President Richard Nixon's policy aimed at ending U.S involvement in the Vietnam War by transferring all military responsibilities to South Vietnam.