Communism & the Vietnam War Cesar Castilleja, Colby Bachmann, Weston Bishop Communism & the Vietnam War

The Vietnam War was significant because America wanted to stop the spread of Communism throughout South Vietnam Where did Communism Start? Why did America not like Communism? Why was America in Vietnam? Did the civilians support the war in Vietnam?

Beginning of the War “This eleven year conflict started in 1964 when North Vietnam fell to Communism and tried to take control of South Vietnam” (“The Vietnam War”). Also, America supported the South because they believed in the “Domino Theory”.

Why was America in the War? In August 1964, a US warship was attacked by North Vietnamese torpedo boats in the Gulf of Tonkin. Following this attack, Congress passed the Southeast Asia Resolution which allowed President Lyndon Johnson to conduct military operations in the region without a declaration of war.(Vietnam 101)

Vietnam Battles Map

http://safari.csisd.org/SAFARI/montage/dashboard/dashboard.php

McCarthyism McCarthyism was a point of view during the Red Scare in which people believed that Senator Joseph McCarthy had a list of over 300 possible Communists. Because of him, many people were accused and ridiculed. Many people lost jobs and social statuses. During this time there were few in the press willing to stand up against McCarthy and the anti-Communist machine.

Joseph McCarthy

Novel Detail 1 “Lobel said something about the domino theory, how if Vietnam fell to the Communists, then the rest of Asia might fall”(Myers 45). One character, Lobel, explains why he fights for the war. He believed in the domino theory.

Novel Detail 2 “We were supposed to smile a lot and treat the people with dignity. They were supposed to think we were the good guys.” (Myers 72) Citizens living during the war didn’t mostly think that the American troops were there to liberate them.

Novel Detail 3 “Sergeant Simpson said that we were trying to free the South Vietnamese people to do what they wanted to do” (Myers 45). Another soldier, explains that he fights for the freedom of the South Vietnamese.

Recap on Information Why it occurred- to stop the spread of Communism throughout Vietnam. When it happened- Early nineteen sixties to seventies. What was the outcome- Victory for America when the last helicopter flew out of Saigon. How long did it last?- 11 years.

Works Cited -"Austin Community College - Start Here Get There." Austin Community College - Start Here Get There. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 May 2013. -"Joseph McCarthy." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 20 May 2013. Web. 21 May 2013. -”McCarthyism.” Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. History: Government and Politics. Detroit: Gale, 2009. Student Resources In Context. Web. 2 May 2013 -"Vietnam 101: A Short Introduction." About.com Military History. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2013.

Cont’d. Myers. Walter Dean. Fallen Angels. Columbus Glencoe/ McGraw- Hill, 2002 Print.