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Origins of the Vietnam War

Origins of the Vietnam War. United States History Chapter 16, Section 1 Mrs. Huston. Connected to the Cold War. Vietnam part of the struggle against communism Attempt to “contain” Prevent “dominoes” from falling. History. Vietnam had been a colony of France since the 1800s

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Origins of the Vietnam War

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  1. Origins of the Vietnam War United States History Chapter 16, Section 1 Mrs. Huston

  2. Connected to the Cold War • Vietnam part of the struggle against communism • Attempt to “contain” • Prevent “dominoes” from falling

  3. History • Vietnam had been a colony of France since the 1800s • It was called “French Indochina” • France ruled harshly • Many Vietnamese resented France’s rule

  4. Ho Chi Minh • Became anti-French as a young man • Fled Vietnam • Traveled the world • Embraced communism • Enlisted Soviet support for his independence movement

  5. France loses power • During WWII Japan undermined France’s control of Vietnam • After the war, France tried to re-take their colony • Feeling of nationalism had grown • US anti-colonial, but wanted Western Europe’s support for anti-communist struggle

  6. What does the US do? • Sends money • From 1950-1954 -- $2.6 billion • Truman begins • Eisenhower continues

  7. Dien Bien Phu • Military base in northwest Vietnam • Under siege for 55 days • More than 15,000 casualties • French lost • Peace treaty made in Geneva • Vietnam divided at the 17th parallel

  8. Divided Country • North Vietnam controlled by communist forces • South Vietnam controlled by democratic forces • Free elections scheduled for 1956

  9. US Aid to South Vietnam • US and seven other countries form SEATO • Southeast Asia Treat Organization • Goal to contain the spread of communism in Southeast Asia • Feared losing election to communists • Diem refused to participate

  10. Rise of Opposition • Rebel group in the south opposes Diem • National Liberation Front—guerilla fighters known as the Vietcong • Diem alienated his own people • Catholic • harsh

  11. Kennedy • Beginning in 1961 he sent Special Forces • By 1963 more than 15,000 “advisors” were in Vietnam • As Diem continued to lose power US backed military leaders attempt to overthrow him • November 1, 1963 Diem removed from power and killed

  12. Johnson • Just 3 weeks after Diem’s overthrow, JFK was assassinated • Did not want to “lose” Vietnam to the communists the way Truman had “lost” China

  13. Gulf of Tonkin • 1964 • US ships attacked off the coast of North Vietnam • 2nd attack not verified • LBJ ordered air strikes against North Vietnam

  14. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution • Passed by Congress with only 2 dissenting votes • Gave President Johnson power to use “any means necessary” against further attacks and to prevent further aggression • No declaration of war • Troop build-up begins

  15. The End

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