720 Chapter 6
MID#611
Dispute Number: 611
Date(s): May 25, 1964 to April 30, 1975
Participants: 2 United States of America, 732 South Korea, 800 Thailand, 811
Cambodia, 817 Republic of Vietnam, 840 Philippines, 900 Australia, 920 New
Zealand/365 Russia, 710 China, 816 Vietnam
Outcome (and Settlement): Victory for side B (Imposed)
Fatalities: >999 deaths
Narrative: This dispute, commonly known as the Vietnam War in the United
States, is best described as an internationalized civil war between North Viet-
nam and South Vietnam over the composition of government. The war was cer-
tainly a legacy of French colonial rule. French Indochina ended with the French
embarrassment at Dien Bien Phu in 1954, and the French agreed to a de facto
partition of Vietnam at the 17th parallel. The communists, who had been active
in fighting the French colonial rule, occupied the north of the 17th parallel with
a capital at Hanoi. The pro-French forces stayed south, with a capital of Saigon.
The agreement called for elections to be held to determine a unified Vietnam,
but this temporary expedient outlined in the Geneva Accords crystallized.
Interstate system members after the final French withdrawal, this civil war
became internationalized. It became a multilateral dispute as a result of the
broader international context of containment and the specter of international
communism. The United States intervened diplomatically to support the South,
later mobilizing and committing a significant portion of its armed forces to
combat. Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, and Cam-
bodia assisted South Vietnam. Meanwhile, communist powers China and the
Soviet Union provided support to the communists in Hanoi. The conflict lasted
for almost a decade after the United States became involved.
Unfortunately for South Vietnam, the Americans faced strong domestic
pressure that greatly hindered American ability to commit to the conflict. The
retirement of US President Lyndon Johnson after his one elected term and the
election of Richard Nixon marked the beginning of a gradual withdrawal from
the war. While American forays into Cambodia and Laos followed as a result of
this withdrawal, it was clear the American government wanted out. The United
States completely withdrew on January 27, 1973. South Korea, Thailand, and
the Philippines withdrew with them. Secret negotiations involving the Ameri-
cans agreed to the 17th parallel as a border in order for the United States to
withdraw, but this does not end the conflict. Saigon fell on April 30, 1975. Viet-
nam was reunified and administered by the communists, ending the conflict.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from February 23, 1964.
2 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/850 INDONESIA
MID#4460
Dispute Number: 4460