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The Vietnam War 1954 - 1975

The Vietnam War 1954 - 1975. Background to the War: Why did the US become involved? . Southeast Asia Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos Slightly larger than Texas 27 million people France controlled “Indochina” since the late 19 th century Ruled with an iron fist High taxes, French law, etc.

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The Vietnam War 1954 - 1975

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  1. The Vietnam War 1954 - 1975

  2. Background to the War: Why did the US become involved? • Southeast Asia • Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos • Slightly larger than Texas • 27 million people • France controlled “Indochina” since the late 19th century • Ruled with an iron fist • High taxes, French law, etc

  3. Why did the US become involved? • Vietnamese rebelled against France (Ho Chi Minh:Communist) • WWII strengthened Nationalism and weakened France • Japan took control of Vietnam during World War II • With U.S. aid, France attempted re-colonization in the postwar period • US wanted French support against Soviets in Cold War

  4. Domino Theory • You have a row of dominos set up, you knock over the 1st one , and what will happen to the last one is the certinaity that it will go over very quickly. So you could have a beginning of a disintegration that would have the most profound influences. • Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1954 • If Vietnam falls to communism then Japan, the Philippines, and Australia might fall as well.

  5. Why did the US become involved? • The French lost control to Ho Chi Minh’s Viet Minh (League for the Independence of Vietnam) forces in 1954 at Dien Bien Phu • NW Vietnam military base

  6. Why did the US become involved? • International Conference at Geneva granted to Vietnam • Vietnam was divided at 17th parallel • Ho Chi Minh’s nationalist forces controlled the North (communist) • Ngo Dinh Diem, a French-educated, Roman Catholic claimed control of the South (US support) • Treaty also called free election in 1965 to unify Vietnam

  7. Why did the US become involved? • A date was set for democratic elections to reunify Vietnam in 1965 • Analysits predicted that Diem would lose to Ho Chi Mihn • Diem backed out of the elections, leading to military conflict between North and South

  8. U.S. Military Involvement Begins • The U.S. aided Diem b/c he was anticommunist • SEATO (Financial and military aid) • Repressive rule by Diem weakened his popularity • Wealth is hoarded by the elite • Buddhist majority persecuted • Torture, lack of political freedom • Vietcong: weaken Diem’s power in S. Vietnam • Undermine Diem’s government &unite Vietnan under communism • Destroy bridges, roads, and assassinated politcalofficals • Diem is removed from power & assassinated

  9. U.S. Military Involvement Begins Self-Emolation by a Buddhist Monk

  10. U.S. Military Involvement Begins • Remembers Truman’s “loss” of China Domino Theory I’m not going to be the president who saw Southeast Asia go the way China went.

  11. U.S. Military Involvement Begins • Tonkin Gulf Incident  1964 • USS Maddox fired on by by N.Vietnam torpedo ships • (according to Johnson, the attacks were unprovoked) • Tonkin Gulf Resolution • “The Blank Check” * • “To take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against forces of US and to prevent further agression.

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