America and Vietnam The Early Years
Background Long history of foreign powers ruling Vietnam: Chinese, Japanese, French French Indochina= Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam
Background Vietnamese Nationalism Attempts to fight for independence against colonial governments Ho Chi Minh Presented petition for independence to Versailles Peace Conference in 1919- denied Visited USSR, became communist Set up Indochinese Communist Party in Southeast Asia Vietminh (1941)- nationalist group to expel Japanese US sent aid to Vietminh
Supporting the French Japanese surrender in 1945 Ho Chi Minh declares Vietnam independent French troops return to reclaim colony- fight the Vietminh Fighting escalates French ask US for help US opposes colonialism + communism= difficult position China falls to Communism + Korean War= Truman sends aid to French in Vietnam Containment Domino Theory- if Vietnam falls to Communism, the rest of Southeast Asia will fall
Dien Bien Phu French troops frustrated by guerrillas Guerrilla warfare- hit-and-run and ambush tactics by troop who blend in to the civilian population French attempt to take-over mountain town of Dien Bien Phu Cut off Vietminh supply lines Vietminh forces surround Dien Bien Phu May 7, 1954, French are defeated, withdraw from Indochina
Geneva Accords Peace negotiations Vietnam divided along 17th Parallel Ho Chi Minh and Vietminh control North Vietnam (Communist) US as protector of new government, led by Ngo Dinh Diem (anti-Communist) Plans for 1956 election to reunite Vietnam Cambodia and Laos independent
Geneva Accords French troops leave Indochina Diem becomes president of Republic of South Vietnam Refused to permit 1956 election due to fear of Ho Chi Minh winning Eisenhower approves, increases aid to South Vietnam (SEATO)
Vietcong Ngo Dinh Diem refuses to hold elections and cracks down on communist groups in South Vietnam Ho Chi Minh + nationalists begin armed struggle to reunify Vietnam Vietcong- guerrilla army of South Vietnamese Communists
Vietcong Fighting between Vietcong and South Vietnamese troops Eisenhower sends “military advisers” to train South Vietnam’s army Vietcong grows many Vietnamese oppose Diem Vietcong Terrorism Assassinate thousands of government officials Control countryside Diem needed more help from US
Kennedy and Vietnam During his presidency, Kennedy increased troops in Vietnam 2,000 15,000 Diem failed to take US suggestions to create democracy Diem unpopular and corrupt Introduced some reforms Strategic Hamlets- villages protected by machine guns, bunkers, trenches, and barbed wire Extremely unpopular
Opposition to Diem Diem (Catholic) discriminated against Buddhists Banned traditional religious flags Protests 9 protestors killed, 14 injured Buddhist monks poured gasoline on himself and lit themselves on fire Horrified Americans Demonstrated extreme opposition to Diem
Opposition to Diem Military coup to overthrow Diem (November 1, 1963) Executed him Made South Vietnam’s government weak and unstable America has to take heavier role in order to maintain stability Three weeks later Kennedy is assassinated