Roots of Conflict Vietnam War
Vietnam’s Independence Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia were a French colony known as French Indochina from the late 1800s - end of WWII France increased its wealth by exporting rice and rubber from Vietnam Vietnamese peasants lost land and grew poor
Revolution 1930, Ho Chi Minh united three Communists groups to form the Indochinese Communist Party (ICP) Wanted independence for Vietnam France arrested many suspected Communists and executed revolutionary leaders
WWII Years During WWII Japan took over Indochina Viet Minh – formed by Minh to train soldiers to fight foreign rule US aided Viet Minh because Japan was a US enemy After Japan surrendered in 1945, Minh declared Vietnam independent France attempted to regain control, 1946 war breaks out when France attacks
Viet Minh
America Enters the Conflict Communism spreading through Asia concerned Americans France asked US for aid in fighting the Viet Minh, US agreed (Containment) Domino Theory used to explain aid given to France If one Asian country falls the others will follow
Vietnam Divided 1954 - Peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland Geneva Accords established two countries North, Communist led by Ho Chi Minh South, non-communist led by Ngo Dinh Diem Split at the 17th parallel known as the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
Reuniting Vietnam In 1956 a nationwide election was to reunite the North and South Vietnam Diem refused elections because Minh was more popular with the people Eisenhower, knowing Minh would have won, continued sending aid to strengthen Diem’s government
New President Kennedy continued support in Asia fighting the spread of Communism Bay of Pigs, 1961 Berlin Wall built, 1961 Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962
Diem’s Failures Diem was corrupt and consequently drove many to Communism South Vietnamese dissatisfied with Diem formed the National Liberation Front to overthrow Diem and reunite with North under Communist rule Diem referred to group as Viet Cong
Minh Support Minh sent soldiers and supplies to the Viet Cong via the Ho Chi Minh Trail Kennedy asked Diem to reform his government, he didn’t US supported a military coup overthrowing Diem (he was killed) Johnson, new president, increased US involvement