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The Vietnam War was a prolonged conflict that took place from 1955 to 1975. Here's
a detailed overview:

Background:

Vietnam had been a French colony since the 19th century, known as French Indochina.
After World War II, nationalist movements in Vietnam, led by Ho Chi Minh's Viet
Minh, sought independence from French rule.

The First Indochina War (1946–1954) between the French and the Viet Minh ended with
the 1954 Geneva Accords, which temporarily divided Vietnam into two separate
states: North Vietnam, governed by the Communist Viet Minh under Ho Chi Minh, and
South Vietnam, under the leadership of Ngo Dinh Diem, supported by the United
States.

Escalation:

The Vietnam War escalated when the Viet Cong, a Communist guerrilla force based in
South Vietnam and supported by North Vietnam, began a campaign of insurgency
against the South Vietnamese government.

The United States gradually became involved, initially providing military advisors
and aid to South Vietnam. However, the commitment increased significantly over
time, leading to direct U.S. involvement in the conflict.

Major Events:

Gulf of Tonkin Incident (1964): Alleged attacks on U.S. Navy ships by North
Vietnamese forces led to Congress passing the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which
granted President Lyndon B. Johnson broad powers to escalate U.S. involvement in
Vietnam.

Tet Offensive (1968): A major offensive launched by the North Vietnamese and Viet
Cong during the Tet holiday. While the offensive was militarily defeated, it had a
significant psychological impact in the United States, leading to increased
opposition to the war.

My Lai Massacre (1968): U.S. troops killed hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese

civilians, including women and children, in the village of My Lai. The incident
shocked the American public and further fueled anti-war sentiment.

Kent State Shootings (1970): During a protest against the Vietnam War at Kent State
University in Ohio, members of the Ohio National Guard opened fire on unarmed
students, killing four and injuring nine. This event galvanized opposition to the
war.

Paris Peace Accords (1973): Negotiated settlement between the United States, South
Vietnam, North Vietnam, and the Viet Cong, leading to a ceasefire and the
withdrawal of U.S. troops from Vietnam.

Fall of Saigon (1975): North Vietnamese forces captured Saigon, the capital of
South Vietnam, effectively ending the war and reunifying Vietnam under Communist
rule.

Casualties and Impact:

The Vietnam War resulted in millions of deaths, including soldiers and civilians
from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, as well as over 58,000 American military
personnel.

The war had profound social, political, and cultural impacts in the United States,
leading to widespread protests, a loss of trust in government, and a reevaluation
of U.S. foreign policy.

The Vietnam War remains a deeply divisive and controversial chapter in both U.S.
and Vietnamese history, with lasting legacies on all sides involved in the
conflict.