The Vietnam War was a conflict that took place in Vietnam, as well as in the neighboring countries of Cambodia and Laos, from 1955 to 1975. It was a complex and controversial war involving multiple parties and ideologies. Here are key points about the Vietnam War:1. **Background:** The roots of the Vietnam War can be traced back to the period of French colonial rule in Vietnam. After the defeat of the French at Dien Bien Phu in 1954, Vietnam was divided into North and South along the 17th parallel.2. **Geneva Accords:** The Geneva Accords of 1954 temporarily divided Vietnam, with the promise of nationwide elections in 1956 to reunify the country. However, these elections were never held, leading to a lasting division.3. **Communist North and Anti-Communist South:** North Vietnam, led by Ho Chi Minh and the communist government, sought the reunification of the country under communist rule. South Vietnam, supported by the United States and other anti-communist allies, resisted this unification.4. **U.S. Involvement:** The United States became involved in the conflict to prevent the spread of communism. The U.S. escalated its military involvement in the early 1960s under President John F. Kennedy and significantly increased troop levels under President Lyndon B. Johnson.5. **Gulf of Tonkin Incident:** The Gulf of Tonkin Incident in 1964 provided the justification for the U.S. Congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, granting President Johnson broad powers to use military force in Vietnam.6. **Troop Levels and Escalation:** The U.S. military presence in Vietnam increased to over half a million troops at the peak of the war. The conflict escalated with intense bombing campaigns and ground operations.7. **Tactics and Strategies:** The war featured guerrilla warfare tactics by the North Vietnamese Viet Cong forces and conventional warfare by the U.S. and South Vietnamese forces. The U.S. relied heavily on air power, including the extensive bombing of North Vietnam.8. **Tet Offensive:** In 1968, the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong launched the Tet Offensive, a series of coordinated attacks across South Vietnam during the Lunar New Year. Although the offensive was militarily costly for the North, it had a significant psychological impact.9. **Anti-War Protests:** The Vietnam War led to widespread protests in the United States and around the world. Opposition to the war grew as casualties mounted, and there was growing disillusionment with the U.S. government's handling of the conflict.10. **Withdrawal and Paris Peace Accords:** The U.S. began withdrawing troops in the early 1970s. The Paris Peace Accords were signed in 1973, leading to the withdrawal of U.S. forces and a ceasefire.11. **Fall of Saigon:** In 1975, North Vietnamese forces captured Saigon, marking the end of the war and the reunification of Vietnam under communist control.12. **Casualties and Legacy:** The Vietnam War resulted in a high human cost, with millions of Vietnamese and tens of thousands of Americans losing their lives. The war left a lasting impact on Vietnam and the United States, shaping foreign policy, military strategy, and public perception.The Vietnam War remains a significant and contentious chapter in history, marked by its complexity, political divisions, and the profound consequences it had on those directly involved and the broader geopolitical landscape.
Measures 48 x 36.

Good condition. No major rips, tears, etc.