The Vietnam War

North Korea (communist) invaded South Korea (capitalist) - 1950 U.S. became involved to contain communism. American troops in a U.S. led force, attacked North Korea Chinese troops entered on the side of North Korea Eventually ended with a stalemate North Korea (communist) invaded South Korea (capitalist) - 1950 After communist North Korea invaded South Korea, American military forces led a United Nations counterattack that drove deep into North Korea itself war threatened to widen, it eventually ended in a stalemate with South Korea free of communist occupation.

Why did the U.S. get involved? CONTAINMENT To stop the spread of communism! Why did the U.S. get involved?

North Vietnam was a communist country under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh South Vietnam was a non-communist country under the leadership of Ngo Dinh Diem 1950s – North Vietnam invaded South Vietnam to try to reunite the country into one communist government The United States tried to prevent communist take-over of South Vietnam Vietnam divided

Military involvement President Eisenhower sent “advisors” to Vietnam President Kennedy began to increase the number of U.S. troops in Vietnam After Kennedy was assassinated, President Johnson continued the build-up of troops

During the 1960s, more and more troops were sent to South Vietnam American military forces won most of the battles, but the North Vietnamese did not give up Fighting in Vietnam

Hawks and Doves The United States became divided over the war effort. Hawks – in favor of continuing the war Doves – in favor of ending the war Many war protests occurred, especially on college campuses Feel Like I'm Fixin' to Die Rag Hawks and Doves

Nixon & Vietnamization In 1968, Johnson decided not to run for re-election and Richard Nixon was elected Nixon promised “peace with honor” in Vietnam “Vietnamization” – withdrawing American troops and replacing them with South Vietnamese forces while maintaining military aid to the South Vietnamese Nixon & Vietnamization

1973 – United States and North Vietnam signed a peace treaty Nixon resigned from office following the Watergate scandal 1975 – North Vietnam again invaded South Vietnam and created a single unified Vietnam End of the war