The Vietnam War

Vietnam gains independence following a century of French colonial rule but remains divided into two separate regions: the communist North and the anti-communist South.

With a communist movement growing in South Vietnam, President John F. Kennedy grapples with the potential for increased U.S. military involvement in the region.

As South Vietnam faces increasing instability, President Lyndon B. Johnson authorizes bombing campaigns against North Vietnam and deploys American troops to support the South.

Young American soldiers in Vietnam begin to realize that the conflict is vastly different from the wars their fathers fought, as they face an unpredictable enemy and harsh conditions, while back home, opposition to the war intensifies through the growing antiwar movement.

President Johnson increases military involvement in the conflict while assuring the public that success is near.

Amid the turmoil of the Tet Offensive, political assassinations, and widespread civil unrest, the United States grapples with deepening divisions and a loss of national unity.

Following turmoil at the Democratic Convention, Nixon secures a close victory in the presidential election by campaigning on a platform of stability and peace.

Nixon begins withdrawing U.S. troops from Vietnam, but the decision to deploy forces into Cambodia sparks a resurgence in antiwar protests.

As the United States withdraws from direct involvement in the Vietnam War, South Vietnam struggles to maintain its position. Meanwhile, President Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger work to negotiate an exit strategy for America. The episode also marks the return of American prisoners of war.

As Saigon falls and the Vietnam War comes to an end, Americans and Vietnamese from various backgrounds begin the difficult process of seeking understanding and healing.