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Vietnam WarVietnam WarOfficially1965-1973

Unofficially1946-1975

Questions To Ask:

Why did the US get involved?

Could US involvement have been avoided?

What you need to know about Vietnam• Vietnam is part of Indochina.

• Vietnam was controlled by China for much of its’ early history.

• In 938 AD Vietnam wins independence.

• Constant struggle to keep independence from China – development of guerrilla tactics.

• Vietnam is made up of a Buddhist majority.

• Vietnamese are a very hardy people.

Imperialism Hits VietnamImperialism Hits Vietnam

• French Imperialism: 1830-1941

• Japanese Control: 1941-1945

• Potsdam Conference: May 1945*

*France gets control of Indochina again

Ho Chi Minh - Wants Freedom

Ho Chi Minh at Treaty of Versailles 1920

Letter to Truman - 1946

French – Indochina WarFrench – Indochina War 1946-19541946-1954

• Ho Chi Minh declares Ho Chi Minh declares independence - Sept 2, independence - Sept 2, 1945.1945.

• Truman doesn’t Truman doesn’t recognize Ho Chi Minh.recognize Ho Chi Minh.

• France tries to re-take France tries to re-take control of Vietnam.control of Vietnam.

• Massive US aid to France.Massive US aid to France.

• May 1954 – France May 1954 – France Surrenders.Surrenders.

Ho Chi Minh

The French are Ousted?Geneva Conference May 1954 (Russia,

China, US, Great Britain, and France.)

Divide Vietnam at the 17th ParallelNorth – Ho Chi Minh (Communism)

South – Ngo Dinh Diem (Capitalism)

Vietnam will hold “Free Elections”

The Vietnamese are very upset!

Minh (North) vs. Diem (South)

So why do we care……?Truman Doctrine – contain communism to

keep it from spreading.

Domino Theory – Eisenhower’s idea that if one country falls to communism other countries will fall as well. (quickly becomes U.S. policy)

Unofficial U.S. Involvement • 1957 Civil War breaks 1957 Civil War breaks

out in Vietnamout in Vietnam

• South Vietnam (ARVN) South Vietnam (ARVN) vs. vs.

VietcongVietcong (NLF).(NLF).

• Communist North Communist North Vietnam helps supply Vietnam helps supply the Vietcong.the Vietcong.

• US helps South US helps South Vietnam – “Advisors”.Vietnam – “Advisors”.

Vietnamese Protest U.S. Involvement

Video Clip:

Two Vietnams

The War Heats UpThe War Heats Up• November 2, 1963 November 2, 1963

Ngo Dinh Diem is Ngo Dinh Diem is assassinated.assassinated.

• Coup d’etatCoup d’etat

• Several “leaders” Several “leaders” attempt to come to attempt to come to power – each fail.power – each fail.

• U.S. now feels U.S. now feels pressure to get pressure to get involved.involved.

Gulf of Tonkin Gulf of Tonkin IncidentIncident

August 2,1964 the August 2,1964 the U.S.S. MaddoxU.S.S. Maddox attacked. attacked.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution – August 7, 1964

• Allows LBJ to send troops to Vietnam without a Declaration of War.

• Turning point in U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

• The war will begin to escalate……….

March 8, 1965 – First Combat Troops arrive in Vietnam

Video Clip:

America’s War