Origins of the Vietnam War

1. Origins of the Vietnam War Chapter 25, Section 1

2. Origins of the Vietnam War • In the 1800s, the French controlled Indochina– today’s Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. • Ho Chi Minh wanted to end French colonial rule starting in the late 1800s. WWII put the conflict on hold, but afterwards France tried to assert their dominance again. • Ho Chi Minh was communist, and although the U.S. supported de-colonization, they supported communism less. • Both Truman and Eisenhower sent military aid to the French with the goal of containing the spread of communism. This would hopefully stop the ‘domino effect’ started by China.

3. Domino Theory

4. America and the War in Indochina • At Dien Bien Phuin 1954, the French held up for 56 days of attacks by the Vietminh. • On May 7th, 1954, the French suffered ~15,000 casualties and ultimately surrendered. • The next day, a peace conference was held in Geneva, Switzerland. • Under the Geneva Accords, the French granted independence to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia; • North and South Vietnam were divided at the 17th parallel; • Anticommunist government instilled in South Vietnam, with elections to be held in 1956.

5. America Opposes Communism in Vietnam • SEATO was formed to combat the spread of communism in SE Asia. • The United States supported the South Vietnamese government led by Ngo Dien Diem. • Diem was appointed as the leader in South Vietnam, rather than elected. • To combat Diem, a group of South Vietnamese rebels known as the Vietcong emerged. • Kennedy sent in special forces to support the ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam), and when Diem’s leadership lapsed, Kennedy had him removed from power.

6. Johnson Leads the Nation into War • On August 2nd, 1964 the U.S.S. Maddox was patrolling the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of North Vietnam. • It was caught amidst N. Vietnam torpedo boats, and although it was not hit, it was seen as an act of aggression. • Shortly after, Johnson asked Congress to authorize the use of force to defend American troops. This became known as the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. • This act gave Johnson broad war powers, such as the ability to commit troops to combat without asking Congress for a declaration of war. Sound familiar?

7. U.S. Involvement Grows Chapter 25, Section 2

8. “Americanizing” the War • In response to a Vietcong attack, Johnson initiated Operation Rolling Thunder. • It was a sustained bombing campaign against North Vietnam. • Its goal was to persuade North Vietnam to stop reinforcing the Vietcong in the South. • U.S. troops commanded by General William Westmorelandused napalm and Agent Orange against the Vietminh and the Vietcong. • Napalm was dropped to set fires; • Agent Orangewas a plant herbicide to kill the crops of the Vietnamese.

9. “Americanizing” the War • Both the Vietminh and the Vietcong proved elusive and very determined. • Their troops traveled light with very little food. • Their biggest advantage, though, was the underground networks of tunnels and attacked using guerilla warfare tactics.

10. Vietcong Underground Tunnels

11. Patriotism, Heroism and Sinking Morale • Over time, with the war dragging on much longer than anyone anticipated, many American troops began to wonder whether or not a non-communist government in South Vietnam was important to the U.S.’ interests.

12. Doubt Grows on the Home Front • The war had a dramatic effect on the economy as well. • Johnson’s Great Society was using a lot of money domestically, but so was the Vietnam War. • Heavy government spending; • Rising prices; • Inflation • These led Johnson to enact tax hikes and ultimately cut back on his Great Society.

13. Doubt Grows on the Home Front • Hawks, those who are pro-war, felt that U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War was necessary to help contain communism. • Doves, those who favor peace, saw the Vietnam War as a localized civil war that the U.S. and its troops should not be involved in.