History glossary
Vietnam War
a Cold War conflict over Vietnam's reunification, involving North Vietnam, South Vietnam, the United States, and allies.
- Category
- War
- Region
- Vietnam and wider Southeast Asia
- Date range
- major US phase 1965-1973; war ended 1975
What it means
The Vietnam War grew from decolonisation, Vietnamese nationalism, communist revolution, and Cold War containment. It ended in 1975 with North Vietnamese victory and the reunification of Vietnam under communist rule.
Related terms
Stories using this term
The Cold War
Rivalry between East and West shapes global politics - through proxy wars, propaganda, and nuclear tension.
The Korean War
A Cold War conflict that divided Korea, ending in stalemate and a lasting unresolved border.
The Vietnam War
From decolonisation to Cold War conflict, the Vietnam War reshaped Southeast Asia and global politics.
The Civil Rights Movement
From school desegregation to Montgomery, Selma and Memphis, organised communities challenged racial exclusion and transformed American democracy.
