THE VIETNAM WAR UNIT: 7 Section 1
THE ROOTS OF AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT Late 1800’s-WWII, France ruled Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia) Ho Chi Minh organizes rebellions, creates Vietminh September 2, 1945, Vietnam declares itself independent. France refuses to recognize it and they go to war. U.S. finances France’s war for 4 years – $2.6 billion.
ROOTS, CONT. U.S. supports France to keep an ally in Europe and prevent spread of communism in Asia. President Eisenhower’s Domino Theory May, 1954, Vietminh defeat France –Fall of Dien Bien Phu Geneva Accords Ho Chi Minh and communists control N. Vietnam Anti-communist nationalists controlled S. Vietnam
U.S. STEPS IN South Vietnam’s president, Ngo Dinh Diem, refuses to take part in a countrywide election and creates corrupt government. Restricted Buddhist practices Offered little or no land distribution to peasants Vietcong – a Communist militant group started targeting Diem’s government Ho Chi Minh Trail November 1, 1963, Diem’s regime was brought down with U.S. military support.
PRESIDENT JOHNSON EXPANDS THE CONFLICT November 22, 1963, Kennedy is assassinated. President Johnson increases American presence in Vietnam. Tonkin Gulf Resolution Operation Rolling Thunder By June, 1965, 50,000 American soldiers were fighting the Vietcong.