Chapter 17 : THE RESISTANCE WAR AGAINST AMERICA
After France’s defeat in 1954, the Americans immediately jumped into South Vietnam, supporting the Republic of Vietnam against the DRVN. The country was divided into halves. In the South, the US poured its aids to back and maintain the existence of American-style urban cities. American ways of living and cultural values were introduced, having strong impacts on Southern cities. At the same time, the US and the Republic of Vietnam’s confrontation to revolutionary forces in South Vietnam became increasingly severe. However, the revolutionary army and people here still bravely fought and shattered many of the enemy’s plots and encroaching military operations.
North Vietnam, during this period, became a solid rear that provided supports to the Southern front while fighting against the US air bombings. In particular after their utter defeat during their bombing with B52 strategic bombers between 18 and 30 December 1972, the US had to sign the Paris Peace Accords, recognizing Vietnam’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as withdrawing their troops from South Vietnam. Not until the victorious Hồ Chí Minh Campaign (30 April 1975), the Republic of Vietnam collapsed and Vietnam as a country could regain its full independence and unification.
VIETNAM – A BRIEF HISTORY IN PICTURES
Compiled by: HIẾU MINH – HUYỀN TRANG (in Vietnamese language)
With an introduction of Historian DƯƠNG TRUNG QUỐC
Illustrated by TẠ HUY LONG
Translated by: NGUYỄN XUÂN HỒNG
P/s: Completed by the volunteers: Nguyễn Ngọc Bích – Second-year student of Foreign Trade University; Takanori Kano from Japan; Antoine Roels from Belgium; Linh – The coordinator of SJ Vietnam.
