DK-Eyewitness Guides - Vietnam War

Discover the battles that took place in the jungles, cities and rice paddies and find out the real story behind the worldwide anti-war protests, in this guide that shows you as well as tells you everything you need to know about the Vietnam War. See, learn and discover everything about the conflict and explore the effects of the "first war fought on television".

The global destruction caused by World War II (1939 - 1945) weakened France's colonial empire. During the war, the Japanese took control of French colonies in the Indochina Peninsula of Southeast Asia. In 1945, Vietnamese nationalists took up arms to gain independence. Led by Ho Chi Minh (1890 - 1969), a Communist, they first battled the occupying Japanese Forces. Many fighters in Ho's nationalist army, known as the Vietminh, were trained by advisors from the United States, which was at war with Japan. After Japan's defeat, France wanted to re-establish control over Indochina, but Ho declared Vietnam's independence. He tried to negotiate with the French, but they would not recognize Vietnam. The stage was set for First Indochina War.