In which decade did the United States engage in the Vietnam War?

The Vietnam War primarily escalated during the 1960s when the United States significantly increased its military involvement, marking this decade as the most critical period of the conflict. The deployment of combat troops began in earnest in 1965, and the war became a focal point of U.S. foreign policy during this time. Major events, including the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964, precipitated further American involvement, leading to widespread protests and significant public debate in the United States. While the war did extend beyond the 1960s into the early 1970s, it was during the 1960s that the U.S. engagement peaked, making it the most defining decade for the Vietnam War.