Learning Target: I can explain why the United States got involved in the Vietnam War Literacy Target: To develop and support a thesis with accurately cited supporting evidence Opener: What do you know about the Vietnam War? After watching this clip what are your thoughts now http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/vietnam-war-history/videos/vietnam

France Rules Indochina in Southeast Asia France began to control areas in Indochina in the 1800’s After World War II the Vietnamese were victims of colonization Some Vietnamese, led by Ho Chi Minh, wanted Vietnamese independence The Soviet Union backed Ho Chi Minh because he was a communist

The French Battle Nationalism and Communism After World War II France was losing control over Vietnam because people didn’t want colonialism worldwide US needed to decide if they wanted to back their ally France OR If they wanted to support Vietnam independence US decided to help France and donated $2.6 billion to France’s war efforts in Vietnam

The Domino Theory and Dien Bien Phu Dwight D. Eisenhower said the fight in Vietnam was more than just a fight for one country Domino Theory- If Vietnam fell to communist, its closet neighbors would follow In 1954, after suffering 15,000 deaths the French lost and pulled their troops out of Vietnam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueP-sPcgooI

The United States Aids South Vietnam Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) In 1954, the US and seven other countries formed this organization to stop the spread of communism South Vietnam was led by Ngo Dinh Diem When it was time for elections Diem refused to participate because he would have lost The US supported his decision

Communist Opposition Grows National Liberation Front (NLF) was created to bring down the government and unite Vietnam under communist rule Vietcong Assassinated government officials, destroyed road and bridges and tried to weaken Diem’s government Diem was an unpopular ruler and only the United States supported him

Kennedy Sends U.S. Troops to Vietnam In 1961 Kennedy sent forces to educate the South Vietnam on war tactics By 1963 more than 15,000 American advisors were fighting in Vietnam Diem was such a bad ruler that the United States said they needed a new ruler and plotted his assassination

North Vietnamese and U.S. Forces Clash August 2, 1964 a Vietnamese boat fired a torpedo at an American ship Lyndon B. Johnson said “Aggression by terror against peaceful villages of South Vietnam has now been joined by aggression on the high seas against the United States of America”

Congress Gives Johnson Broad Military Powers Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Said Johnson could take action to prevent other attacks against U.S. forces Johnson could send U.S. troops to South Vietnam to fight without asking Congress for a declaration of war It gave Johnson a lot of military power

For the next 5-10 minutes Write down if you agree or disagree with the United States being involved in the Vietnam War A topic sentence Evidence on why you agree or disagree After completing these walk around the class and ask 3 people Write down their opinions and get their signature on your flashcard

After talking to your classmates write down: Topic Sentence Evidence Commentary Final Thoughts

Closure Self Reflection Why did the United States get involved in the Vietnam War? Do you think they should have? And explain. Self Reflection Pirate Scale Learning (1-4) Today I learned…