conflict in Vietnam Laos & Cambodia *Cold War-era conflict in Vietnam Laos & Cambodia - 1956 to 1975

History of Conflict In 1850s France (Imperialism) gained control of Indo-China … Current nations of Vietnam, Laos, & Cambodia

Japan takes over WWII Once France was defeated by Nazis (1940) – Axis Power Japan put in charge Revolutionary group called Viet Minh leadership from Ho Chi Minh … which had been fighting the French now went to fighting the Japanese

Vietnam Split in Two North Vietnam - support by Soviet Union & China South Vietnam - support by USA + NATO allies ... but France was given primary responsibility since these were her former colonies USA supplies Marshall Plan $ to assist rebuild

Containment U.S. Gov viewed involvement as way to prevent Communist takeover of Vietnam Domino Theory = spread of communism

First Indo-China War Rebel group led by Ho Chi Minh & supplied by North Vietnamese Gov began war (invades South Vietnam) to expel France … group came to be called Vietcong War spread to Laos & Cambodia - where Khmer Rouge (supplied by China) began fighting French … to gain independence

Khmer Rouge

Viet Cong Vietnamese communist group – armed by North Vietnam + China - hiding in North & South - civil war in South vs anti-communists - see conflict as colonial war vs France - see conflict as way to re-unify country without influence from foreign interests

Can You Tell?

Dien Bien Phu China supplied weapons & training turns Viet Cong into powerful guerrilla force – able to wear down French forces French troop losses + huge war costs = drop involvement in Indochina in 1954

Back to original 17th Parallel North Vietnam - support by USSR & China South Vietnam - support by USA, Britain, & NATO Massive relocation (people) & reallocation (resources) campaigns … $93 million (US) Installation of temporary Prime Minister in South Vietnam (Ngo Dinh Diem) … until elections held

Ngo Dinh Diem - Catholic in Buddhist country - Conservative in area with many needs - Nationalist desires Gov control of Econ - Advocate for US involvement … Puppet??? Wins 98% of vote in the South prior to National elections

Man of The Year

Picture of the Year

Questionable Leadership Fears election loss to Ho Chi Minh (80%) – eliminates opposition political parties and names his brother as “Free Election Supervisor” Fearing loss of Catholic power-base - sends military police against Buddhists Multiple claims of corruption, political promotions, and bad economic policies – especially in rural areas Poor Econ growth = Blame Communists

Assassination of Diem -1963 American CIA = considering plan to remove Diem Many ?s surround Diem's murder & the Coup de tat (overthrow of Gov) - CIA, Viet Cong, North Vietnam, China South Vietnam dives into political upheaval - increasing influence of Viet Cong

Gulf of Tonkin Incident U.S. involvement escalates more in 1964 - Battleship clashes with North Vietnam Pres Johnson uses incident to authorize increasing US troop presence in region (Southeast Asia)

Escalation U.S. troop deployment to Vietnam rose rapidly - targeting Viet Cong … policy of “limited engagement” - 16,500 in 1964 - 200,000 in 1965 - 415,000 in 1968 Continuous bombing of North Vietnam