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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 in between represents Vietnam itself, being pulled in both directions for two decades.

Related terms

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution: This was an agreement by Congress that gave President Lyndon B. Johnson authority to increase U.S. involvement in the war between North and South Vietnam.

Tet Offensive: A major coordinated series of North Vietnamese attacks on more than 100 cities and outposts in South Vietnam during the Lunar New Year holiday in 1968.

Vietnamization: U.S policy under President Richard Nixon to end U.S. involvement in the war and expand, equip, and train South's Vietnamese forces to take over active combat roles.