CONTEXTUALIZATION

During the World War II, to oppose colonial rule, leader Ho Chi Minh formed Viet Minh, League for the Independence of Vietnam. After the war ended and Japan withdrew their forces, Ho Chi Minh's forces took over the city of Hanoi, creating a communist state. As a result, the country was split up into communist North Vietnam and democratic South Vietnam. Meanwhile, the United States was debating whether or not to get involved because they faced the dilemma of using the Policy of Containment or supporting the independence movement. In the end, in 1954, the United States decided to get involved to prevent the spread of communism and supported South Vietnam. This marked the beginning of the conflict known as the Vietnam War.