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Vietnam War: Causes and Consequences

Explore the background, key events, and US involvement in Vietnam War from 1954-1975. Understand French colonization, Ho Chi Minh's pleas, the Domino Theory, Diem's rule, and escalation by the US.

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Vietnam War: Causes and Consequences

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  1. The Vietnam War 1954 - 1975 Mr. Brink United States History 20.1

  2. Southeast Asia

  3. Background to the War • France controlled “Indochina” since the late 19th century • Japan took control during World War II • With U.S. aid, France attempted re-colonization in the postwar period

  4. The Pleas of Ho Chi Minh • Rebuked by Wilson after WWI • Rebuked by US after WWII • French serve as “bulwark against communism”

  5. The Domino Theory

  6. Background to the War • The French lost control to Ho Chi Minh’s Viet Minhforces in 1954 at Dien Bien Phu • President Eisenhower declined to intervene on behalf of France.

  7. Background to the War • International Conference at Geneva • Vietnam was divided at 17th parallel • Ho Chi Minh’s nationalist forces controlled the North • Ngo Dinh Diem, a French-educated, Roman Catholic claimed control of the South

  8. Ngo Dinh Diem • Corrupt US-Backed Dictator of South Vietnam • Persecutes Buddhist majority • Ho has support of peasants, so Ngo blocks election • Causes civil war in 1955

  9. Background to the War • A date was set for democratic elections to reunify Vietnam • Diem backed out of the elections, leading to military conflict between North and South(US Doesn’t Want Them)

  10. Civil War • North Vietnamese Army (NVA or Vietminh) • VietCong (VC) – guerrilla groups in South Vietnam

  11. U.S. Military Involvement Begins • Repressive dictatorial rule by Diem • Diem’s family holds all power • Wealth is hoarded by the elite • Buddhist majority persecuted • Torture, lack of political freedom prevail • The U.S. aided Diem’s government • Ike sent financial and military aid • 900 U.S. Army advisors sent by 1960.

  12. U.S. Military Involvement Begins • Kennedy elected 1960 • Increases military “advisors” to 16,000 • 1963: JFK supports a Vietnamese military coup d’etat – Diem and his brother are murdered (Nov. 2) • Kennedy was assassinated just weeks later (Nov. 22)

  13. Early Protests of Diem’s Government Self-Emolation by a Buddhist Monk

  14. Johnson Sends Ground Forces • Remembers Truman’s “loss” of China Domino Theory revived I’m not going to be the president who saw Southeast Asia go the way China went.

  15. Johnson Sends Ground Forces • Advised to rout the communists by Secretary of State, Robert S. McNamara • Tonkin Gulf Incident  1964(acc. to Johnson, the attacks were unprovoked) • Tonkin Gulf Resolution • “The Blank Check” *

  16. U.S. Troop Deployments in Vietnam

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