World War II versus Vietnam War

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World War II vs. Vietnam War

The United States has faced many conflicts throughout history. World War II and the Vietnam War are two of the many wars that the United States has fought. World War II began on September 1, 1939- 1945 when 1.5 million German troops invaded Poland. Germany's superior air power and technologically advanced armored and motorized divisions overwhelmed Polish forces (“World War II, US History in Context” 1). “By September 20, Poland had been overrun by the German blitzkreig (lightening war)” (World War II, US History in Context 1). The United States did not officially enter the war until December 7, 1941 when the Japanese bombed the U.S naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The following day Congress declared war on Japan (“World War II…” 1). The Vietnam War was a continuation of the Indochina War of 1946-1954. The United States first became involved with Vietnam in 1957 lasting until spring of 1975. The Vietnam War began as a battle against the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) supported by the United States and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) according to The Dictionary of American History. The United States supported South Vietnam’s anti- communism (Cosma 1). This resulted in The United States and France joining forces to defeat communist Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh (Buzzanco 1). Although both conflicts involved the United States, both the Vietnam War and World War II can be compared and contrasted by their political, military, economical, and international factors.

World War II and the Vietnam War are very different when it comes to their political factors. For example, during World War II two presidents were active in the war’s aim. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the...

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“Vietnam War." Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. Economic History. Ed. Thomas Carson and Mary Bonk. Detroit: Gale, 1999. U.S. History in Context. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.

"Vietnam War." International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. Ed. William A. Darity, Jr. 2nd ed. Vol. 8. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2008. 612-617. World History in Context. Web. 30 Apr. 2014.

"Women During World War II." Women in America. Woodbridge, CT: Primary Source Media, 1999. American Journey. U.S. History in Context. Web. 30 Apr. 2014.

"World War II." Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. Economic History. Ed. Thomas Carson and Mary Bonk. Detroit: Gale, 1999. U.S. History in Context. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.

“World War II." Violence in America. Ed. Ronald Gottesman and Richard Maxwell Brown. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1999. U.S. History in Context. Web. 30 Apr. 2014.

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