The document provides background information on the Vietnam War. It discusses the colonial history of Vietnam and the division of Vietnam following the 1954 Geneva Conference. This led to war between North and South Vietnam as North Vietnam and the Viet Cong fought to reunify the country under communist rule. The US intervened on behalf of South Vietnam to stop the spread of communism. The war lasted over 20 years and involved major US troop escalations and offensives from both sides, ultimately resulting in a North Vietnamese victory in 1975.

1. THE VIETNAM WAR BY LAURA RODRÍGUEZ NAVARRO

4. Desire of reunification from North Vietnam Refusal to the reunification from the South side. The Vietcong was the military arm of the National Liberation Front (NLF), created by the North Vietnamese communists to escalate the armed struggle in South Vietnam. War breakout 1956 Referendum for reunification was cancelled. CAUSE OF THE WAR

5. The USA’s purpose Stop the expansion of communism NATO Marshall Plan Truman Doctrine INTERVENTION OF THE USA The USA got involved in the war.

6. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WAR Characteristics It is the first and only defeat of the US army. A long war: aprox. 20 years. Usage of massive bombs on the civil. Chemical war (orange agent). Cruelty with the prisoners from the other side. American Helicopters during the war There was no front line -> Guerrilla warfare

7. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WAR

11. HO CHI MINH TRAIL

12. Political consequences Unfavorable image internationally and within its own country, because of the intervention in a foreign conflict and the cruelty of the tactics. Its defeat damages “ The Manifest Destiny ”, a theory that was used to designate the belief that the USA was destined to expand across the North American continent, from the Atlantic seaboard to the Pacific Ocean. EFFECTS IN THE USA

13. Economical consequences Factories that would have been producing consumer goods were being used to make items for the war. EFFECTS IN THE USA Military expenditures, combined with domestic social spending, created budget deficits which fueled inflation. Interest rates rose, restricting the amount of capital available for businesses and consumers. Funds were not returning to the country -> Weak dollar. No consumer confidence

14. Social consequences Hippie Movement Internal opposition Violent crashes between students and the police. Addiction to drugs. American soldiers were affected by the orange agent. Vietnam Syndrome 58.209 dead 303.635 wounded 1948 missed EFFECTS IN THE USA Universities as stages.

15. EFFECTS IN THE USA

16. Political consequences. Country reunification by the communist regime. EFFECTS IN VIETNAM

17. Social, economical and environmental consequences. 70 % of the Infrastructure was shattered Forests were destroyed Deeply damaged crops Mass exodus to cities Orange Agent Premature abortions Sterility Malformations 830.000 dead 900.000 wounded EFFECTS IN VIETNAM

18. Consequences A cruel image of the USA was adopted Guerrilla warfare was the protagonist Laos and Cambodia came under communist rule. EFFECTS IN THE WORLD

19. TIME LINE

21. “ Mankind must put an end to war , or war will put an end to mankind.” “ El hombre tiene que establecer un final para la guerra. Si no, la guerra establecerá un final para la humanidad.” John Fitzgerald Kennedy