Vietnam War

The Vietnam War was fought between North Vietnam, supported by the Soviet Union, and South Vietnam, supported by the United States. This was one of several conflicts that came to be known as proxy wars in which the two dominant Cold War-era powers could engage the other's influence while reducing the risk of nuclear confrontation. Large public outcry against the war was a large factor in the United States' withdrawal from Vietnam and the creation of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The following documents discuss influential battles, statements by the president, and antiwar movements.

Titles

Pentagon Papers: The Defense Department History of United States Decisionmaking on Vietnam. The Senator Gravel Edition (U.S. Department of Defense)

President Johnson’s Address to the Nation Announcing Steps to Limit the War in Vietnam and Reporting His Decision Not to Seek Reelection, 1968 (Lyndon B. Johnson)

12 Address to the Nation Announcing Conclusion of an Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam. (Richard M. Nixon)

Vietnam Antiwar Movement (Thomas L. Purvis)

Ia Drang Valley, Battle of (Thomas L. Purvis)

New York Times Co. v. United States, 1971 (U.S. Supreme Court)

10 the President’s News Conference of (Richard M. Nixon)

8 the President’s News Conference of (Lyndon B. Johnson)

Black, J., Dissenting (Justice Black)

554 "a Conversation With the President," Joint Interview for Use by Television Networks. (Lyndon B. Johnson)

Tet Offensive (Thomas L. Purvis)

Hue, Battle of (Thomas L. Purvis)

Vietnam War (Thomas L. Purvis)