Ch27 Vietnam - ANGLAIS CPGE

France at Diem Bien Phu in 1954, the USA start to support the South. Vietnam in order to ... the Vietnam should become communist, many other countries will follow. Whereas J.F. ... signed in Paris in 1973 and all American were left. 57,000 US ...
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ANGLAIS CPGE - M.Pollantru

CHAPITRE 27

Fiches culturelles

La guerre du Vietnam MILESTONES : -1954: Dien Bien Phu results in the creation of the North and the South Vietnam -1961: Equipment and Green Berets are send in Vietnam -1963: Kennedy’s assassination -1964: Starting of the war -1968: Tet Offensive -1973: End of war with the peace agreement in Paris MAIN FIGURES : -57,000 killed -150,000 wounded -$25 billion per year

In the wake of the Second World War, wars for independence start in all continents. Due to the Cold War, each country which tries to obtain its independence is supported by one or the other side. After the defeat of France at Diem Bien Phu in 1954, the USA start to support the South Vietnam in order to avoid the “falling domino theory” which stated that if the Vietnam should become communist, many other countries will follow. Whereas J.F. Kennedy refused any military operation, President Lyndon Johnson was more warmonger. The sinking of two destroyers by North Vietnamese forced the USA to enter into war in 1964. At the end of 1965, there were 200,000 US soldiers in Vietnam. Due to the rising toll of the war (15,000 killed and 100,000 wounded in 1967) and the media coverage, several demonstrations sat in the United States. No peace agreements managed to be set and the Vietcong continued the fight against the Americans, especially during the Tet Offensive in 1968 when they attacked simultaneously one hundred cities. Forced to statute that the war was a fail, President Nixon started the withdrawal of Americans troops in 1969. Finally, a formal cease-fire was signed in Paris in 1973 and all American were left. 57,000 US soldiers lost their life on the Vietnam’s land and the Vietcong resumed its attack in 1974 and invaded the capital of Saigon…

Furthermore, many US veterans suffered for the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which is characterised by depression and nightmares.

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