Course Description
Delving Deep into the Vietnam War: A Comprehensive Analysis
The Vietnam War, spanning from the mid-1950s to the mid-1970s, remains one of the most controversial, intricate, and studied conflicts in modern history. While every war leaves a mark on the nations involved, few have evoked as profound a division in public sentiment as this conflict did in the United States. Its far-reaching impacts, both domestically and internationally, still reverberate today.
The underpinnings of America's involvement in Vietnam trace back to the global ideological rift: the struggle between democracy and communism. After witnessing the after-effects of the Korean War and the Chinese Civil War of 1949, America, driven by its Cold War mentality, sought to stem the tide of communism in Southeast Asia. This policy led the United States to support the Republic of South Vietnam against the northern Democratic Republic of Vietnam, colloquially termed as "Vietcong".
A significant aspect that intensified the conflict was the involvement of global superpowers. Both the USSR and Communist China provided substantial military and economic support to North Vietnam, creating a formidable adversary for the U.S. This external support magnified the conflict's scale, making it more than just a regional dispute. The result was an incredibly grueling, sophisticated, and layered warfare, etching scars on an entire generation of American soldiers and civilians alike.
Course Overview:
This meticulously crafted course endeavors to provide learners with an exhaustive understanding of the Vietnam War, dissecting its multifaceted dimensions.
Key Features of This Course:
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Holistic Approach: Not only will students learn about the military aspects, but they will also gain insights into the socio-political climate of the U.S during the 1960s and how it influenced decisions and perceptions regarding the war.
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Expert Contributions: Esteemed scholars, war veterans, and academic experts have provided their insights, personal stories, and analyses, making the content rich and authentic.
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Interactive Modules: Engage with varied materials like assignments, netlinks, and polls, enhancing the learning experience and ensuring comprehensive knowledge absorption.
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Post-War Analysis: Explore the aftermath of the war, understanding the ramifications on U.S foreign policy, the socio-political climate, and the lives of those directly affected by the war.
Who Should Enroll?
Students, history enthusiasts, scholars, or anyone keen on understanding one of the most complex periods in U.S. history will find this course invaluable. With a blend of academic rigor, expert insights, and engaging content, this course promises to offer a profound understanding of the Vietnam War era.
In Conclusion
The Vietnam War is not just a chapter in history books; it's a myriad of stories, lessons, tragedies, and turning points. This course aims to shed light on those intricate details, offering students a chance to view the war from various perspectives and truly understand its profound impact on the world. Dive in to explore, understand, and reflect.
- Completely Online
- Self-Paced
- Printable Lessons
- Full HD Video
- 6 Months to Complete
- 24/7 Availability
- Start Anytime
- PC & Mac Compatible
- Android & iOS Friendly
- Accredited CEUs
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Learning Outcomes
- Describe the geographical features of Vietnam and analyze their impact on the country's historical conflicts and development.
- Identify the major historical events that contributed to Vietnam's resistance against foreign conquerors, including China and France.
- Define the critical technological innovations introduced during the Vietnam War and explain their impact on modern warfare tactics.
- Identify and compare key weapons used by U.S. forces and the Vietcong, evaluating their effectiveness and influence on combat strategies during the Vietnam War.
- Describe the reasons for U.S. support of France in Vietnam post-World War II, focusing on geopolitical and ideological factors.
- Identify key events leading to the division of Vietnam at the 17th parallel as per the Geneva Accords and the subsequent political developments in North and South Vietnam.
- Analyze the impact of Diem's religious and political policies on the socio-political unrest in South Vietnam, including the response from various factions.
- Define the political factors leading to the escalation of conflict in Vietnam, including the partition, communist mobilization, and U.S. foreign policy.
- Describe the impact of President Johnson's decision to retain Kennedy's foreign policy advisors on the escalation of U.S. involvement in Vietnam by 1965.
- Explain how the Gulf of Tonkin Incident led to greater U.S. military involvement in Vietnam, supported by the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.
- Define the differing military strategies employed by the Vietcong and U.S. during the early stages of the Vietnam War, considering tactics and objectives.
- Identify and compare the contrasting strategic approaches of the North Vietnamese and American forces, focusing on their goals and operational execution in the Vietnam War.
- Recognize the strategic objectives and outcomes of U.S. military operations such as Operation Starlite during the Vietnam War.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Assessment Guide
Assessment | Points |
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An Introduction | 5 points |
Lesson 1 Assignment | 25 points |
Why Study the Vietnam War? | 25 points |
The Franco-Prussian War 1870-1871 | 20 points |
Lesson 1 : A History of Vietnam | 9 points |
Lesson 2 Assignment | 25 points |
Was the Vietnam War Worth It? | 20 points |
Lesson 2 : War-Time Technology & Weapons of the Vietnam War | 10 points |
Lesson 3 Assignment | 25 points |
Truman Ignores Ho Chi Mihn | 50 points |
Lesson 3: The Road To War | 9 points |
Lesson 4 Assignment | 25 points |
President Kennedy and the Vietnam War | 25 points |
Lesson 4: The Beginning of the War | 10 points |
Lesson 5 Assignment | 25 points |
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution | 50 points |
LBJ v. McNamara | 20 points |
Lesson 5 : President Johnson and the Vietnam War | 10 points |
Lesson 6 Assignment | 25 points |
Lesson 6 : Making Battle Plans | 6 points |
Lesson 7 Assignment | 25 points |
Winning The Hearts and Minds of the Vietnamese People | 50 points |
Operation Cords -- Helping your neighbor's enemy | 5 points |
Lesson 7 : Wading into the War | 10 points |
Lesson 8 Assignment | 25 points |
Lesson 8 : Major U.S. Offensives in South Vietnam, Part I | 10 points |
Lesson 9 Assignment | 25 points |
Lesson 9 : Major U.S. Offensives in South Vietnam, Part II | 9 points |
Lesson 10 Assignment | 25 points |
T.V. and The Tet Offensive | 50 points |
Lesson 10 : The Tet Offensive | 9 points |
Lesson 11 Assignment | 25 points |
Vietnam and President Johnson | 50 points |
Did the U.S. lose the War, or did it withdraw with honor? | 50 points |
Vietnam and Afghanistan Withdrawals | 25 points |
Did America Learn Anything from Vietnam? | 30 points |
Lesson 11 : The End of the War - U.S. Forces Leave Vietnam | 9 points |
Lesson 12 Assignment | 25 points |
Lesson 12 : The Aftermath of the Vietnam War | 10 points |
The Final Exam | 51 points |