The Vietnam War (monumental Milestones: Great Events Of Modern Times)

The Vietnam War sparkled one of the most controversial periods in American history. Although Vietnam had been fighting for its independence for thousands of years, the United States didn't enter the picture until the 1950s. Increasing tensions between North and South Vietnam officially brought the U.S. into the war in 1964. At the same time, a military draft was instituted. People struggled to understand the role of the U.S. in Vietnam. Americans began learning more about the Vietnam War through television. As the first "televised" war, Americans were treated to horrific scenes with their evening news. Popular magazines and newspapers published the effects of battle on their front pages. These images added to the antiwar sentiment. Meanwhile, three million U.S. troops faced constant danger in a war eventually determined to be "unwinnable." After more than 58,000 American soldiers were killed, the U.S. finally pulled out of Vietnam in 1973, and South Vietnam fell in 1975. The effects of the war would last much longer. Book jacket. Describes the history of Vietnam's struggle for independence, examines the reasons why the United States joined the war in Vietnam and the difficulties the U.S. had withdrawing from the conflict, looks at the aftermath of the war, and features essays thatdiscuss related topics, including antiwar protests, prisoners of war, media coverage, and refugees Surprise attack Vietnam seeks independence Americans join the war in Vietnam How to end a war Aftermath.