Introduction
By: Scott Phan
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The Vietnam War, (1954–75), was a protracted conflict that pitted the communist government of North Vietnam and its allies in South Vietnam, known as the Viet Cong, against the government of South Vietnam and the United States. Called the “American War” in Vietnam, the war was also part of a larger regional conflict and became a proxy war of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies after the end of World War II. Prior to 1914, the French colonized areas including Vietnam, and under French rule both the social order and standard of living dramatically suffered in Vietnam. From 1914 to the present, Vietnamese people became determined to emerge as an independent nation and terminate the French rule and influence in their land due to the mistreatment of the peasants. Whereas today, the Vietnamese are working towards modernizing their infrastructure in order to stop corruption, while strengthening their national identity and cultural traditions. The colonization of Vietnam by the French sparked resistance and nationalist movements in order to challenge the French ideals of equality and democracy and gain independence. Although the continuity of culture was held in Vietnam, there was also a vast change in ideologies and the demand for independence. The cyclical dynasties remain as the foundation of Vietnamese society and culture, but the inclination for independence and colonial rule of the French, and also the separation of Vietnam were key changes that prevail the continuities. The desire for independence and colonial rule of the French gradually created impressive but also atrocious changes throughout Vietnam alongside the creation of multiple parties such as the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and National Liberation Front (also known as Viet Cong).
In January 1973, the Vietnam war was nearing an end as the United States and North Korea had concluded a final peace agreement, ending open hostilities between the two nations. The costs and casualties of the growing war proved too much for both sides to bear, and combat units were later withdrawn. The war between North and South Vietnam continued, however, until April 30, 1975, when DRV (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) forces captured Saigon, renaming it Ho Chi Minh City (Ho Chi Minh himself died in 1969). The long conflict had affected an immense majority of the country’s population; in eight years of warfare, an estimated 2 million Vietnamese died, and another 12 million became refugees. War had decimated the country’s infrastructure and economy, and reconstruction proceeded slowly even until today. In 1976, Vietnam was unified as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam leading to the creation of a 3rd province in Vietnam named Middle Vietnam, though sporadic violence continued over the next 15 years, including conflicts with the neighboring China and Cambodia. Under a broad free market policy put in place in 1986, the economy began to improve, boosted by oil export revenues and an influx of foreign capital. Trade and diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the U.S. were resumed in the 1990s and saw an increase of Vietnamese refugees who migrated into countries such as the U.S where they searched for a new life with U.S government support and funding. Eventually, Vietnam would continue to pursue and engage in peaceful trade negotiation and administer themselves in the WTO ( World Trade Organization) in January 11th of 2007.