The Vietnam War began as a result of the Geneva Accords of 1954, which divided Vietnam into two separate countries, North and South Vietnam. The communist government of North Vietnam, led by Ho Chi Minh, sought to reunify the country under its rule, while the South Vietnamese government, backed by the United States, sought to maintain its independence. This led to a long and bloody conflict that lasted from 1955 to 1975, resulting in the deaths of millions of people and the eventual reunification of Vietnam under communist rule.

The US got involved in the Vietnam War in 1964 after the Gulf of Tonkin incident. The Gulf of Tonkin incident was an alleged attack on US naval vessels by North Vietnamese forces, which led to the US Congress passing the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving President Lyndon B. Johnson the authority to use military force in Southeast Asia.

During the Vietnam War, the US military employed various tactics to gain an advantage over their opponents. One of these tactics was the use of air power, which involved deploying fighter jets and bombers to strike enemy positions. Another tactic was the use of artillery, which involved firing heavy shells at enemy targets from a distance. Finally, the US military also relied on ground troops, who would engage the enemy in close combat using rifles, grenades, and other weapons. These tactics helped the US military to achieve some success in the Vietnam War, but ultimately the war ended in a stalemate.

The Vietnam War saw several key battles that shaped the outcome of the conflict. The Battle of Ia Drang in 1965 was the first major engagement between US and North Vietnamese forces, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. The Tet Offensive in 1968 was a surprise attack by the North Vietnamese that caught the US and South Vietnamese forces off guard, leading to a turning point in public opinion of the war. The Battle of Hamburger Hill in 1969 was a brutal 10-day battle for control of a strategic hill, resulting in heavy losses for US troops but ultimately securing the area. These battles were pivotal moments in the Vietnam War and had significant impacts on the course of the conflict.

The Vietnam War involved three key people: Ho Chi Minh, the leader of North Vietnam; Lyndon B. Johnson, the President of the United States during most of the war; and General William Westmoreland, the commander of American forces in Vietnam.

The American opinion on the Vietnam War was divided. Some believed it was necessary to stop the spread of communism, while others saw it as an unnecessary and costly conflict. Protests against the war were widespread, with many Americans calling for an end to the fighting. The war ultimately ended in 1975 with the fall of Saigon and the reunification of Vietnam under communist rule.

The Vietnam War ended on April 30, 1975, during the presidency of Gerald Ford. The Paris Peace Accords were signed on January 27, 1973, which aimed to establish peace in Vietnam and end the war. The terms of the agreement included a ceasefire, the withdrawal of American troops, and the release of prisoners of war. However, the agreement did not last long as fighting resumed, leading to the fall of Saigon and the end of the war.

The Vietnam War had significant physical, psychological, and financial impacts that lasted long after the conflict ended. The war resulted in the deaths of over 58,000 American soldiers and countless Vietnamese civilians. Additionally, more than 1,600 Americans remain unaccounted for as MIA/POWs. The psychological toll of the war was also immense, with many veterans experiencing PTSD and other mental health issues. The financial cost of the war was staggering, with the US spending over $168 billion in today's dollars. These lasting effects continue to impact individuals and society as a whole.