VIETNAM Understanding both sides of the conflict Similar to North and South Korea Historical Background: SOUTH DEMOCRATIC Supported By Democratic Countries United States and Anti Communist allies Modern Weapons Chemical Weapons NAPALM Historical Background: NORTH COMMUNIST Supported By Communist Countries Soviet Union China Weapons were dated Gorilla warfare
Vietnam freedom revolution breaks into 2 Groups IMPERIALISM Vietnam freedom revolution breaks into 2 Groups North The People's Republic of China Soviet Union recognized the Viet Minh's Democratic Republic of Vietnam as the legitimate government of Vietnam. Capital in Hanoi South United States Great Brittan recognized the State of Vietnam as the legitimate Vietnamese Capital in Saigon a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force. Colonized by: French- 1850s 1950s- French Removed
Ho Chi Minh Communist rebel leader against French and Japanese imperialism Backed by Soviets and China Leader of Viet Minh's Democratic Republic of Vietnam Soon to be Leader of Communist North Vietnam
DOMINO THEORY if one state in a region came under the influence of communism, then the surrounding countries would follow in a domino effect.
example of communist expansionism directed by the Soviet Union Containment Aggressive war broke out in 1950 between (Soviet and China) Communist North and (United States and Great Brittan) Democratic South Containment was a United States policy to prevent the spread of communism abroad. example of communist expansionism directed by the Soviet Union
Vietnam War Viet Cong South Vietnamese Soviet trained and armed militants using Guerilla Warfare trying to defeat democratic south and unite Vietnam in Communism Use of terrorism, explosives, car bombs, Punji sticks, land mines, poison, trip wires, etc.. United States backed, armed, and trained militants trying to defend democracy and overthrow the communist north to unite Vietnam in Democracy. Use of artillery, helicopters, gunships, 50 Caliber machine guns, napalm
U.S. mindset on the war First Televised war After images of the violence hit main land America, Vietnam war became HUGELY unpopular.
Where the fighting happened Deep jungles & in the streets of villages Terrorist actions Human and car bombs in crowded areas
Many fisherman, shrimping industry workers, and port workers Boat People Vietnamese people Defecting from the country. Leaving on boats and landing along the U.S. coast line Many fisherman, shrimping industry workers, and port workers Brain Drain Educated Vietnamese leaving the country before the fighting escalated. Staying in their new country, unable to go back and help build on the education and economy
War ended in 1975 when Saigon fell to the North. now known as Ho Chi Minh City
Total casualties of all countries involved reach close to 1,400,000. Death Toll Vietnamese Casualties American Casualties United States of America 58,286 killed and missing in action4 Democratic Republic of Vietnam & Viet Cong 1.1 million killed2 Total casualties of all countries involved reach close to 1,400,000. 1.4 million lives
Assignment Write a letter home You are a US soldier Write a letter home Talk about the difficulty fighting against the North and guerilla warfare in this rough physical geography Think about the difficulty RECONGNIZING who the bad guys are in a “nation state” 1 full page