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Paragraph 3.6. Vietnam. Old situation. Vietnam used to be a part of Indochina. Old colony of France France wanted to keep it as its colony, but Vietnam wanted to be separate. After 8 years of war: France lost. What happened?. French left and Vietnam was split up in 2:
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Paragraph 3.6 Vietnam
Old situation • Vietnam used to be a part of Indochina. • Old colony of France • France wanted to keep it as its colony, but Vietnam wanted to be separate. • After 8 years of war: France lost
What happened? • French left and Vietnam was split up in 2: • North Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh led it, Communistic • South Vietnam: Ngo Din Diem: Western, anti-communistic.
South Vietnam • Diem’s government was not that popular. • Many peasants joined the Vietcong. • They were guerrillas that wanted to overthrow Diem’s government, North Vietnam helped them. • USA helped the South. • USA didn’t want a domino theory in Asia.
1960’s • The Vietcong grew stronger. • 1964: USA had new policy: • Military actions against Vietcong: • Bombing North Vietnam • Sending troops to the South.
War • Americans were better equipped than Vietcong. • But couldn’t win. • Because Vietcong avoided direct battles. • They came out of the jungle; ambushed the Americans and quickly disappeared again. • Local peasants helped them to hide. • Americans couldn’t find them
American soldiers • War was frustrating • They often lost control • Village of My Lai: US soldiers massacred 109 men, women and children. • They couldn’t recognise their enemy • It was invisible.
Attack • The Americans used a lot of violence to attack the Vietcong. • Agent Orange: • A way to destroy the jungle
Napalm • Napalm (naphthenic and palmitic acids) is a thickening/gelling acid generally mixed with gasoline • Highly inflammable. • Burns down the jungle.
1970’s • Most Americans supported the war • Until too many young soldiers were killed. • More demonstrations in America against this war. • 1970: President Nixon started: “Vietnamisation” • USA withdrew its troops. • Trained South Vietnamese troops to take over. • 1973: last US troops left. • Cease-fire was agreed
1974 • War started again • Communist troops attacked the South • Took it over in 1975 • North and South Vietnam were joined as one communistic country • Led by Ho Chi Minh