EARL’S WORLD---15
Viet Nam----Closure? What has happened here since July, 1973? On that date at the Paris Peace Accord, Ho Chi Minh took charge, North and South were united, the communist party ruled.
This country, along the coast of South East Asia has had a 4000 year struggle for peace as an independent county. China dominated it for a 1000 years. It was a French colony until 1954. For 25 years the US was involves in various efforts to stabilize the country as a democracy. In 1960 the Liberation Front was organized in the north and Ho Chi Minh attacked the south. The United States, seeing the probability of communism taking over South East Asia, facing the “domino” effect occurring, sent military advisors into the south to support defense against the North. Russian military materials were supporting the communist forces (Viet Cong). By 1965 US Marines were wading ashore at Danang. Bombings of villages and jungle warfare continued as over a half million troops were in Viet Nam and ultimately 58,000 Americans succumbed and over a million South Viet Namese, many civilians, were killed.
By 1973 antiwar movement in the US had succeeded and military forces began with drawing ground forces.
The country put in place a communist government, a president, 12 man council, harsh treatment of the south Viet Namese survivors, and the confiscation of land. The socialization of the country proceeded rapidly but was an economic disaster. Depression set in and modeling on China the country moved to a more capitalistic form of business and trade. The country’s growth has been phenomenal. It is now the world’s 12th largest economy. Modern cities have risen, tourism is big business, over 400 American companies are established in the nation. There is still some internal stress within the country, but relationship with the US is good. The “American War” is broadly memorialized. Is there Closure?