Online Class: Vietnam War

Gain a comprehensive understanding of one of history’s most studied conflicts through this course’s detailed examination of the Vietnam War and its profound impact domestically and internationally. Delve into the socio-political climate of the U.S. during the 1960s, enriched by contributions from scholars, veterans, and interactive modules.
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  • 15
    Lessons
  • 40
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 11
    Hours
    average time
  • 1.1
    CEUs
 
 
 

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:

  • 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.

  • Expert Contributions: Esteemed scholars, war veterans, and academic experts have provided their insights, personal stories, and analyses, making the content rich and authentic.

  • Interactive Modules: Engage with varied materials like assignments, netlinks, and polls, enhancing the learning experience and ensuring comprehensive knowledge absorption.

  • 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.

Courses Frequently Bought Together:
  • 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
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 
 

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:
4.68 / 5 Stars (Average Rating)
"Extraordinarily Helpful"
(761 votes)

Lesson 1. Vietnam's Complex Tapestry: An In-Depth Historical Exploration

Vietnam's history is shaped by repeated cycles of foreign conquests, prominently by China and later by France and Japan, but the resilient Vietnamese have always managed to regain control of their nation. The geography of Vietnam, with its diverse climate and challenging terrain, has significantly influenced both its culture and historical conflicts. Additional lesson topics: A look at Ho Chi Minh 84 Total Points
  • Lesson 1 Video A
  • Lesson 1 Video B : Introduction Discussion
  • Lesson discussions: Vietnam War Course; Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete Assignment: An Introduction
  • Complete: Lesson 1 Assignment
  • Complete Assignment: Why Study the Vietnam War?
  • Complete Assignment: The Franco-Prussian War 1870-1871
  • Assessment: Lesson 1 : A History of Vietnam

Lesson 2. Chemical Warfare: Napalm and Agent Orange

U.S. and Soviet technologies clashed in the Vietnam War, showcasing aircraft, helicopters, and advanced rifles that influenced global military strategies. Iconic weapons like the M16 and AK-47 highlighted the intense rivalry, while chemicals like Agent Orange left lasting scars. Additional lesson topics: Chemical Warfare; Weapons in Vietnam War 55 Total Points
  • Lesson 2 Video A
  • Lesson 2 Video B : Lesson 2 Discussion
  • Complete: Lesson 2 Assignment
  • Complete Assignment: Was the Vietnam War Worth It?
  • Assessment: Lesson 2 : War-Time Technology & Weapons of the Vietnam War

Lesson 3. Imperial Consequences: France, America, and the Indochina Struggle

The Geneva Accords divided Vietnam into two states, with Ho Chi Minh leading the communist north and Ngo Dinh Diem heading the anti-communist south. The ideological division between the two Vietnams foreshadowed decades of conflict fueled by differing political beliefs and external influences. Additional lesson topics: Eisenhower and Vietnam; Truman and Vietnam 84 Total Points
  • Lesson 3 Video A
  • Lesson 3 Video B : Lesson 3 Discussion
  • Lesson discussions: The Vietnam War
  • Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment
  • Complete Assignment: Truman Ignores Ho Chi Mihn
  • Assessment: Lesson 3: The Road To War

Lesson 4. Diem's Downfall and the Escalation of War

Despite backing from the U.S., South Vietnam's political landscape was fractured by religious tensions and autocratic governance. These dynamics contributed to the disillusionment among key groups and amplified the communist cause. Additional lesson topics: Diem and Vietnam 60 Total Points
  • Lesson 4 Video A
  • Lesson 4 Video B : Lesson 4 Discussion
  • Complete: Lesson 4 Assignment
  • Complete Assignment: President Kennedy and the Vietnam War
  • Assessment: Lesson 4: The Beginning of the War

Lesson 5. From Turmoil to Conflict: The Escalation of U.S. Involvement in Vietnam

Following Kennedy's death, President Johnson retained key advisors, upholding existing Vietnam policies even as South Vietnam faced chaotic military rule. The Gulf of Tonkin incident spurred the U.S. Congress to pass a resolution escalating military involvement in Vietnam. Additional lesson topics: McNamara and Vietnam 105 Total Points
  • Lesson 5 Video A
  • Lesson 5 Video B : Lesson 5 Discussion
  • Complete: Lesson 5 Assignment
  • Complete Assignment: Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
  • Complete Assignment: LBJ v. McNamara
  • Assessment: Lesson 5 : President Johnson and the Vietnam War

Lesson 6. Formulating Tactical Blueprints: The Vietnam Conflict's Early Phase

Despite superior firepower, the U.S. sought a quick victory in Vietnam to avoid prolonged conflict, utilizing strategies of attrition and erosion. Conversely, the Vietcong and North Vietnamese leveraged guerilla warfare and patience to deplete American resolve. 31 Total Points
  • Lesson 6 Video A
  • Lesson 6 Video B : Lesson 6 Discussion
  • Complete: Lesson 6 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 6 : Making Battle Plans

Lesson 7. Unfolding the Ia Drang Valley Clash

U.S. military strategies of attrition and erosion initiated major ground operations in Vietnam, starting with the successful Operation Starlite which boosted American morale with a 13:1 kill ratio against the Viet Cong. However, the resilience and tactics of the Vietnamese forces demonstrated that they were prepared to endure substantial losses, revealing the strategic misjudgments of U.S. leadership. Additional lesson topics: Operation Starlie; CORDS Vietnam 90 Total Points
  • Lesson 7 Video A
  • Lesson 7 Video B : Lesson 7 Discussion
  • Complete: Lesson 7 Assignment
  • Complete Assignment: Winning The Hearts and Minds of the Vietnamese People
  • Complete Assignment: Operation Cords -- Helping your neighbor's enemy
  • Assessment: Lesson 7 : Wading into the War

Lesson 7. Unfolding the Ia Drang Valley Clash

U.S. military strategies of attrition and erosion initiated major ground operations in Vietnam, starting with the successful Operation Starlite which boosted American morale with a 13:1 kill ratio against the Viet Cong. However, the resilience and tactics of the Vietnamese forces demonstrated that they were prepared to endure substantial losses, revealing the strategic misjudgments of U.S. leadership. 0 Total Points

Lesson 8. Weaponizing the Land and the Sea: Early U.S. Offensives

Operation Market Time sought to cut Vietcong supply lines via sea routes, combining U.S. naval and air power with South Vietnamese forces. Though successful for a time, the operation inadvertently increased reliance on the Ho Chi Minh Trail, complicating the conflict. Additional lesson topics: Operation Market Time; Montagnards in Vietnam 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 9 Video A
  • Lesson 9 Video B : Lesson 8 Discussion
  • Complete: Lesson 8 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 8 : Major U.S. Offensives in South Vietnam, Part I

Lesson 8. Weaponizing the Land and the Sea: Early U.S. Offensives

Operation Market Time sought to cut Vietcong supply lines via sea routes, combining U.S. naval and air power with South Vietnamese forces. Though successful for a time, the operation inadvertently increased reliance on the Ho Chi Minh Trail, complicating the conflict. 0 Total Points

Lesson 9. The Elusive Success: Understanding U.S. Military Operations in Vietnam

Operation Gadsden and its successor Junction City demonstrated the U.S. resolve to disrupt Vietcong activities, seizing enemy supplies and fortifications, but they couldn't capture the strategic initiative. Meanwhile, the Communists utilized protracted warfare, extending the conflict's duration, and testing the patience and endurance of their adversaries. Additional lesson topics: Siege of Khe Sahn; Westmoreland in Vietnam; Operation Junction City 34 Total Points
  • Lesson 11 Video A
  • Lesson 11 Video B : Lesson 9 Discussion
  • Complete: Lesson 9 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 9 : Major U.S. Offensives in South Vietnam, Part II

Lesson 10. The Unfolding Storm: A Detailed Examination of the 1968 Tet Offensive

The Tet Offensive saw over 80,000 Viet Cong forces launching surprise attacks on major Southern Vietnamese cities, challenging U.S. and ARVN control and aiming to topple Saigon's government. While the military incursion didn't achieve its objectives, the intense urban combats and media coverage helped turn American sentiment against the war's continuation. Additional lesson topics: Tet Offensive 84 Total Points
  • Lesson 12 Video A
  • Lesson 12 Video B : Lesson 10 Discussion
  • Lesson discussions: The Tet Offensive
  • Complete: Lesson 10 Assignment
  • Complete Assignment: T.V. and The Tet Offensive
  • Assessment: Lesson 10 : The Tet Offensive

Lesson 11. Nixon's Vietnam Strategy and the Path to Peace

Amidst widespread disapproval, President Lyndon Johnson grappled with an unpopular war and failed peace efforts that culminated in his withdrawal from the 1968 presidential race. Richard Nixon's subsequent presidency promised stability and a phased troop withdrawal, eventually leading to the end of American involvement. Additional lesson topics: America Leaves Vietnam; Walter Cronkite Broadcast 189 Total Points
  • Lesson 13 Video A
  • Lesson 13 Video B : Lesson 11 Discussion
  • Review Practice Worksheet: 7550443rz49138.png
  • Complete: Lesson 11 Assignment
  • Complete Assignment: Vietnam and President Johnson
  • Complete Assignment: Did the U.S. lose the War, or did it withdraw with honor?
  • Complete Assignment: Vietnam and Afghanistan Withdrawals
  • Complete Assignment: Did America Learn Anything from Vietnam?
  • Assessment: Lesson 11 : The End of the War - U.S. Forces Leave Vietnam

Lesson 12. Legacy of the Vietnam War: A New World Order in Indochina

The Vietnam War's end saw Saigon's fall and communist consolidation across Indochina, with tragic outcomes in Cambodia and Laos aligning with new allies. Returning U.S. troops grappled with PTSD and societal scorn, compounded by ongoing searches for missing comrades. Additional lesson topics: What was it like coming home from the War; Part II Americans Come Home; Americans come home from Vietnam Part I 86 Total Points
  • Lesson 14 Video A
  • Lesson 14 Video B : Lesson 12 Discussion
  • Complete: Lesson 12 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 12 : The Aftermath of the Vietnam War
  • Assessment: The Final Exam

Lesson 13. Vietnam's Story: A Country Shaped by War and Peace

Vietnam, with a rich tapestry of historical influences, has seen its borders and governance change repeatedly over centuries. The 20th-century bifurcation and resultant Vietnam War were pivotal in creating the nation's current unified socialist government. 0 Total Points
  • Lesson 15 Video
  • Lesson discussions: How would you rate this course?; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
937
Total Course Points
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Summarize the history of Vietnam.
  • Describe war-time technology and weapons of the Vietnam War.
  • Describe the road to war.
  • Describe the beginning of the war.
  • Summarize President Johnson and the Vietnam War.
  • Describe the battle plans of the war.
  • Summarize the Tet Offensive.
  • Summarize the aftermath of the vietnam war.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Additional Course Information

Online CEU Certificate
  • Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
  • Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
  • Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
  • View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
  • Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Document Your CEUs on Your Resume
 
Course Title: Vietnam War
Course Number: 7550443
Lessons Rating: 4.68 / 5 Stars (761 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: Accessible from any state in the U.S., this course covers key areas such as California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Georgia. The course is also offered in English-speaking nations like Australia, Canada, the UK, and South Africa.
Last Updated: December 2023
Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Class
CEU Value: 1.1 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams
Syllabus: View Syllabus
Course Fee: $120.00 U.S. dollars

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Student Testimonials

  • "Excellent course!!! Very knowledgeable instructor who always offered feedback. The lesson videos that he presents helps so much." -- Cheryl S.
  • "Great course, I learned a lot and the instructor is very knowledgeable." -- Kathy L.
  • "The instructor was so professional and knowledgeable it made the whole experience incredible." -- Terrie C.
  • "I had learned a lot about the Vietnam War that I did not know." -- Patricia T.
  • "Excellent course. Excellent instructor." -- George M.
  • "I felt the entire course was very helpful and well put together. The Instructor for this course was extremely good job and knows the subject well." -- Micah S.
  • "I talked (emailed) with the insturctor several times. Being a Vietnam Vet, this course was very personal to me. My insturctor was very compassonite at times and very well versed in the subject." -- Paul S.
  • "Love your courses!!!" -- Kyle B.
  • "I wanted to learn about the war, that's what it taught me.AWESOME INSTRUCTOR!!!!!! He should be given a prize ;)" -- Riley Z.

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