THE BEGINNINGS OF THE VIETNAM WAR

1. THE BEGINNINGS OF THE VIETNAM WAR LO - to understand the origins of the Vietnam conflict

4. The origins of the conflict • Since the late 19th C Vietnam had been ruled by France – known as Indochina. • During WW2 Japan took control of the main resources of Vietnam (Coal, Rice, Rubber). • At this time a strong Anti-Japanese movement emerged – called the Viet Minh; under the leadership of Communist Ho Chi Minh (ex teacher). • Ho was a great individual – inspired people to fight • Independent Vietnam declared 2nd September 1945

5. Ho Chi Minh

6. In 1945 the Viet Minh entered the city of Hanoi and declared Vietnam independent. • The French had other ideas = fight • Ho had not fought the Japanese to give power back to France. • 1946 = war. • By 1949 Communists had taken over China - now the US saw the Viet Minh as the puppets of Mao Tse Tung (China). They feared a Communist plan to dominate all of south east Asia. • US poured support into the French war effort with $3 billion in financial aid.

7. The war dragged from 1946 – 54. The French generally controlled the towns. The Viet Minh, the countryside. • The Viet Minh guerilla tactics made them impossible to beat- tied up troops in hit and run raids -90,000 casualties. • 1954 – French were defeated at a place called Dien Bien Phu. (first time a small Asian state had defeated a European state).

8. 1954 Geneva Agreement • Gave Vietnam independence • Split North (Communist) & South (Capitalist) • Demilitarised zone between the two • North – led by Ho Chi Minh • South – Ngo Dinh Diem

10. HO CHI MINH • Did not accept the division of Vietnam • Set up the National Liberation Front (NLF) in the South • Diem called them “Vietnamese Commies” (Vietcong for short) • ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam) was unable to defeat them

11. Diem Govt • VC were largely based in the Countryside – so Diem moved peasants to ‘safe’ villages (basically Concentration camps) • US helped Diem by sending 1000 advisors to train the ARVN • May 8th 1963 - Buddha’s birthday – Buddhists monks wanted to fly flags • Diem refused = demonstration

12. Diem’s Govt • ARVN attacked monks • June 11th – Monk protested – ThichQuangDuc set fire to himself – worldwide outcry • Nov 1963 – Diem assassinated – CIA arranged Government Coup (military takeover)

13. In protest of South Vietnamese attacks on Buddhist shrines (1963).

14. I was to see that sight again, but once was enough. Flames were coming from a human being; his body was slowly withering and shriveling up, his head blackening and charring. In the air was the smell of burning human flesh; human beings burn surprisingly quickly. Behind me I could hear the sobbing of the Vietnamese who were now gathering. I was too shocked to cry, too confused to take notes or ask questions, too bewildered to even think ... As he burned he never moved a muscle, never uttered a sound, his outward composure in sharp contrast to the wailing people around him. - David Halberstam, The Making of a Quagmire (1965)

15. GULF OF TONKIN • 2nd August 1964, in the gulf of Tonkin, the USS Maddox fired on a North Vietnamese boat which came too close • ¾ August – Sailors panicked thinking they were under attack again • 7th August – congress also LBJ to esculate US involvement • Between 1964 – 1975 the US sent 2.8million soldiers • Problem – not sure if USS Maddox was ever attacked – LBJ said: “those dumb sailors were shooting at flying fish”

16. LBJ Speech • What are the reasons cited for escalating the Vietnam War? • Do they match up with your understanding of why the US got involved? • What are LBJ’s mannerisms when delivering the speech? i.e. Was it a passionate delivery? Did you find him trustworthy? Shifty? Etc.

17. Why did US get involved? • French had been driven out • Initially to support Diem’s Govt • To stop the Communists • To stop further communist successes (domino theory) • Gulf of Tonkin incident • Once they became more involved – the US had to escalate to try and beat the VC • UN would not get involved – Russian Veto