Vietnam War

The origins of the Vietnam War can be traced back to the mid-1950s when President Dwight D. Eisenhower pledged support to South Vietnam against the communist North Vietnam. Initially, the US only provided training and equipment to South Vietnamese forces. However, under the administration of John F. Kennedy, the US increased its military presence in South Vietnam. They aimed to prevent the spread of communism through Vietnam and other Asian countries. In 1965, Lyndon B. Johnson called for a dramatic increase in US forces in Vietnam, and fighting escalated between the two sides. A large contingent of Americans did not support the war. As the conflict dragged on negative sentiment increased. In 1973, the US and North Vietnam signed a final peace treaty, and US troops withdrew from the region. The Vietnam War claimed the lives of 58,000 US troops.