1955-1975
Cause(s):
Following the Cold War, the U.S. wanted to crack down on allies of the Soviet Union, in fear that its communist ideologies would spread across Europe and Asia. This led the U.S. to start to station troops and send support to the more democratic, sympathetic, South Vietnam.Â
In 1964, following an unprompted attack on a U.S. naval ship, President Lyndon Johnson authorized direct military action against North Vietnam.
End:
The Vietnam War effectively ended in 1975 after the North Vietnam Army (NVA) launched a major offensive move and rolled tanks through the Presidential Palace in Saigon (political building in South Vietnam which enunciated their democratic support).
The war lasted 20 years but only had direct U.S. involvement from 1962-1973