The VIETNAM WAR 1954 - 1975

Roots of the Vietnam War Indochina – Ruled by the French since 1893

Who controlled Vietnam during WWII?

What was the First Indochina War? 1946 – 1954: Vietminh fights the colonial French forces for control of Vietnam. Who were the Vietminh? Vietminh – French nationalist group led by Communist Ho Chi Minh that fought Japanese & French rule. Mixture of Communists & Vietnamese nationalists.

What was the Battle of Dien Bien Phu? March – May 1954 25,000 French troops surrounded by Vietminh forces French surrender. KEY POINT: French retreat from Vietnam

Geneva Conference 1954 Granted Vietnam independence from France France divided into two zones along the 17th Parallel. North governed by the Vietminh under Ho Chi Minh South governed by former pro-French faction led by Ngo Dinh Diem Called for elections to reunify Vietnam in 1956 17th Parallel

Eisenhower & Diem blocks elections in 1956 U. S Eisenhower & Diem blocks elections in 1956 U.S. goal is to strengthen South Vietnam & not let nation be unified under Ho Chi Minh $

U.S. Goal 17th Parallel Contain Communism in Southeast Asia

U.S. Policy Toward Vietnam Based on what theory? THE DOMINO THEORY If one Asian country falls to communism, others will.

Ngo Dinh Diem Authoritarian Nepotism: Gave government jobs to his family members. Anti-Buddhist Restricts Buddhist practices Tortured/Imprisoned Political opponents Denies elections

Civil War in South Vietman Anti-Diem south Vietnamese in late 1950’s (remnants of Vietminh) North Vietnam supplies weapons. Weapons & Support

Who were the VIETCONG? 1957: The National Liberation Front formed in South Vietnam. Nicknamed the VIETCONG (Vietnam Communists) Group of anti-Diem/anti-U.S. communists and peasants with the goal of overthrowing Diem * Used Guerilla Warfare *

What is Guerrilla Warfare? Definition: Military operations conducted by irregular forces in enemy-controlled territory Wore no uniforms/blended into landscape/villages Hit-and-run tactics Armed with Chinese AK-47’s Rigged booby traps & “punji traps” Travelled & attacked from under- ground tunnel systems.

Ho Chi Minh 1960: Increases support of Vietcong. Sends supplies & N. Vietnamese troops to the south on the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

What was the Ho Chi Minh Trail? Complex network of roads, paths , & river transport systems from N. Vietnam to S. Vietnam Used to provide manpower & supplies from North Vietnam to the Vietcong.

$ The Situation U.S. increases support to Diem. 1960: 900 U.S. military advisors in S. Vietnam $

Eisenhower on the Situation “The loss of South Vietnam would set in motion a crumbling process that could, as it progressed, have grave consequences for us and for freedom.” - April 4, 1959

Kennedy takes over… Also believes in domino theory Tries to show strength in Vietnam after Bay of Pigs failure . . . Make U.S. a credible power in the world. Increases military advisors in Vietnam 16,000 by 1963

Diem Becomes More Unpopular Diem continues to get more repressive Continued restricting Buddhists rights Arrested & killed Buddhist protestors Unable to unite factions of South Vietnam

Buddhist Monks Protest

JFK Approves Military Coup Kennedy embarrassed of Diem’s rule. Convinced N. Vietnam cannot be defeated under Diem. Kennedy secretly authorizes a coup d'état of Diem’s government South Vietnamese Generals surround Saigon and eventually capture Ngo Dinh Diem

Nov. 2, 1963: Diem Murdered By Generals “There is no possibility, in my view, that the war can be won under a Diem administration.” - Henry Cabot Lodge U.S. Ambassador to South Vietnam

Three weeks after approving Diem’s Assassination . . . Kennedy assassinated in Dallas, Texas

Kennedy on Vietnam Kennedy on Vietnam situation shortly before his death. . .

Johnson Takes Over Lyndon B. Johnson becomes President Under LBJ, U.S. fully engages in a War in Vietnam Said U.S. had to help S. Vietnam win in its “con- test against the externally directed and supported Communist conspiracy.”

LBJ’s Determination I am not going to lose Vietnam. I am not going to be the president who saw Southeast Asia go the way China went.” - Lyndon B. Johnson

Situation worsens from winter ‘63 – Spring ‘64 South Vietnam close to complete collapse North Vietnamese infiltration into South increasing By March 1964: Vietcong controls 40% of South Vietnam Johnson realizes that South Vietnam cannot win without increased U.S. presence and help

Gulf of Tonkin Incident USS Maddox fired on by North Vietnamese torpedo boats

Johnson’s Response to Gulf of Tonkin Attack Johnson accuse North Vietnam of “open aggression on the high seas.” Johnson orders strike on N. Vietnamese bases. Uses attack on USS Maddox as basis for increasing American involvement in Vietnam

Tonkin Gulf Resolution Johnson submits resolution to Congress giving him authority to wage war in Vietnam using attack on USS Maddox as pretext. August 7, 1964, Congress passes Tonkin Gulf Resolution. “Congress approves and supports the determination of the President . . . to take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the U.S. and to prevent further aggression.”

Without a Declaration of War . . . AMERICA WAS AT WAR