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. . The V ietnam War. Chapter 22 Section 1. Learning targets. I can……………………. Locate the country of Vietnam on a map. Identify examples of imperialism experienced by Vietnam Discuss the roots of the American experience in the Vietnam conflict. Vietnam. Located in southeast Asia.
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. The Vietnam War Chapter 22 Section 1
Learning targets • I can……………………. • Locate the country of Vietnam on a map. • Identify examples of imperialism experienced by Vietnam • Discuss the roots of the American experience in the Vietnam conflict.
Vietnam • Located in southeast Asia. • Bordered by the South China Sea, Laos, Cambodia and China • Is slightly larger than the size of New Mexico. • Has a varying geography with hills, plateaus, mountains and flatlands.
Colonialism in Vietnam • For many centuries, it was occupied by China. • In late 1800’s France moved in and took control of it and ruled in until WWII. • Much of French culture dominated Vietnam including language in southern parts. • In 1942, Japan took over Vietnam and ruled it as a colony. • After WWII, France retook Vietnam
Vietnamese movement for independence • After France retook Vietnam in 1946, the Vietminh was formed. • Vietminh- Vietnamese independence movement led by Ho Chi Minh, • Ho Chi Minh- a Vietnamese nationalist who is regarded as the father of independent Vietnam. • He turned to the USSR and China for help after the U.S. refused to grant him help gaining independence.
The French/Indo-China War • The Vietminh fought using a guerilla war system of fighting. • The Vietminh hoped to extend the war as long as possible and drain French resources. • By 1951, the war had become very unpopular in France and the Vietminh controlled much of northern Vietnam.
Diem Bien Phu • In 1954, French troops were trapped in a battle at the base camp of Diem Bien Phu. • This battle would be disastrous for the French and they would agree to leave the Vietnam by signing the Geneva Accords.
The Geneva Accords • The Geneva Accords signed in 1954 agreed to temporarily divide Vietnam along the 17th parallel in order to prepare for democratic elections to be held in 1956. • The two main candidates were communist backed Ho Chi Minh and U.S. backed Ngo Ding Diem.
The dividing of Vietnam • By 1955, it was clear that Ho Chi Minh would likely win the election as he was more popular. • The U.S. backed Diem and supported him in breaking away from the Geneva agreement and building a new nation known as the Republic of South Vietnam. • The U.S. backed Diem with money, weapons and military advisors.
The start of U.S. involvement • Vietminh troops in the south again began to fight fearing further imperialism. • The National Liberation Front- the name of the communist supporters in the south who began to fight against Diem and his troops.They later became known as the Vietcong. • The U.S. began to send in advisors to train the South Vietnames Army against the Vietcong troops.
Questions for discussion • Was it acceptable for the U.S. to support cancelling the elections of 56? Why or why not? • What problems is the U.S. setting itself up for by sending in advisors? • What military difficulties will the U.S. and South Vietnamese troops face in fighting against the Vietcong?