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Vietnam War. Vietnam War. Vietnam had never been under its own rule China- ruled for hundreds of years France- ruled from early 1800’s to WWII Japan- took over during WWII During French rule many nationalist parties were formed wanting their independence. Vietnam War. Ho Chi Minh
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Vietnam War • Vietnam had never been under its own rule • China- ruled for hundreds of years • France- ruled from early 1800’s to WWII • Japan- took over during WWII • During French rule many nationalist parties were formed wanting their independence
Vietnam War • Ho Chi Minh • Went to Europe to study • Learned about communism • Returned to Vietnam and formed the Indochinese Communist Party • Organized nationalist group called Vietminh • Fought with non-communists to get rid of Japanese
Vietnam War • After Japan was defeated in WWII, Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam an independent country • Modeled Vietnam Declaration of Independence after American Declaration of Independence • France wanted to reclaim Vietnam and sent troops to regain empire
Vietnam War • Both French government and Ho Chi Minh asked for help from the United States • U.S. was for independent countries and against colonization, however strongly against communist rule • Chose the French over Vietnam • Domino Theory
Vietnam War • French could not defeat Vietminh, despite heavy support from United States • Guerilla warfare- hit and run, ambushes • French were defeated at Dien Bien Phu • Forced France to make peace and withdraw troops
Vietnam War • Geneva Accords • Negotiations to end the conflict • Divided Vietnam along the 17th parallel • Ho Chi Minh and Vietminh in the North • Non-communists in the South • Elections were to be held in order to unite the country under one government
Vietnam War • U.S. stepped in and tried to establish a government in the South • Placed Ngo Dinh Diem in charge • Very anti-communist • When Elections were supposed to happen in 1956, Diem refused knowing that he would be defeated by the Vietminh in the North
Vietnam War • U.S. supported Diem and increased military support in South Vietnam • Tensions between North and South Vietnam rose • U.S. caught in the middle