Negotiated Settlement: The major turning point in the war came with the Paris Peace Accords, signed in January 1973. The agreement called for a ceasefire and the withdrawal of American troops, as well as the exchange of prisoners of war and the eventual reunification of Vietnam. The United States Congress passed the War Powers Act in the same year, which limited the president's ability to wage war without congressional approval.
Communist Offensive and South Vietnamese Collapse: Despite the peace agreement, fighting continued in Vietnam between North and South Vietnamese forces. In 1975, North Vietnam launched a massive offensive, capturing several major cities and quickly overwhelming South Vietnamese defenses. The United States did not intervene militarily, and South Vietnam's capital city, Saigon, fell to communist forces on April 30, 1975.
Reunification of Vietnam: The fall of Saigon marked the end of the Vietnam War and the beginning of a new era in Vietnamese history. The country was officially reunified under communist rule, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was proclaimed in July 1976.
Consequences and Legacy: The Vietnam War had profound and lasting consequences for both Vietnam and the United States. The war left Vietnam deeply scarred, both physically and psychologically, with significant loss of life, destruction, and social upheaval. The war also profoundly impacted the United States, leading to widespread social unrest, anti-war protests, and a reassessment of American foreign policy.