Chapter 29 Section 1 The Vietnam War Riddlebarger The War Develops Chapter 29 Section 1 The Vietnam War Riddlebarger

Colonial Vietnam Bordered by Laos & Cambodia to the West; China to the North Vietnam’s agricultural resources have attracted invaders for centuries. China 200 B.C. to 1400’s France 1883 to 1954 French Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia)

Ho Chi Minh A Nationalist Leader Many Vietnamese driven into poverty under French control Nationalist movement emerges under Ho Chi Minh He sees communism as a way for Vietnamese to gain freedom. “It was patriotism not communism that inspired me.”

Changing Rulers Japanese occupy Vietnam during WW2. Ho Chi Minh leads resistance effort. Vietminh (League for the Independence of Vietnam) Led by Communists but open to all who want Vietnamese independence. After Japanese surrender to Allies, Vietminh declare Vietnam an independent country Ho sees Vietnamese fight as similar to American colonies vs. Britain.

“All men are created equal “All men are created equal. They are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights; among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. .. The whole Vietnamese people, animated (driven to action) by a common purpose, are determined to fight to the bitter end against any attempt by French colonialists to reconquer their country.” Why does he reference our Declaration? Ho Chi Minh, Vietnamese Declaration of Independence, 1945

Vietnam after World War II As Ho feared, French reclaim Vietnam as colony after World War II Dec. 1946: Vietminh begin fighting French rule

The First Indochina War Ho disappointed by Pres. Truman after WW2 Truman supported France Truman concerned about spread of communism China becoming Communist & North Korea invading South Korea follow. U.S. resolves to contain communism in SE Asia

Ho Chi Minh on French control of Vietnam: “ If they force us into a war, we will fight. The struggle will be atrocious, but the Vietnamese people will suffer anything rather than renounce their freedom.”

Domino Theory Pres. Eisenhower warned that if Vietnam went Communist, other Southeast Asian countries would quickly follow. Domino Theory- belief that communism would spread to neighboring countries. U.S. sends weapons & money to aid French forces.

Vietminh use guerrilla tactics to fight the French -attack without warning & then disappear into the jungle. “If the tiger ever stands still, the elephant will crush him with his mighty tusks. But the tiger does not stand still…He will leap upon the back of the elephant, tearing huge chunks from his hide, and then the tiger will leap back into the dark jungle. And slowly the elephant will bleed to death. That will be the war of [Vietnam].” Ho Chi Minh

France is defeated French make their last stand at Dien Bien Phu. 40,000 Vietnamese troops surround 15,000 French French hoped for American rescue but Ike has no intention of putting U.S. troops back into Asia so soon after Korean War French surrender on May 7, 1954 Vietnamese learned valuable lessons about fighting war against enemy with superior firepower & technology Will use this later against USA

The Geneva Conference After the French surrender, representatives from 8 countries meet in Geneva, Switzerland France, Vietnam, Cambodia, Britain, Laos, China, USSR & USA Goal was to work out peace for SE Asia Geneva Accords signed in July 1954

Results of Geneva Accords Vietnam will be temporarily divided at the 17th parallel. Vietminh control the North French will withdraw from the country Elections to be held in 1956 to re-unify the country U.S. concern over Communists winning elections

Ngo Dinh Diem

Diem’s Government US hopes in South Vietnam (of containing communist expansion) are pinned to Diem Soon, US will be disappointed in his corrupt & brutal leadership Diem policies lead to his unpopularity Favors Catholics over Buddhists Favors rich land-owners over peasants Torture & imprisonment of political opponents. US still sees him as better option over Communist take-over

A Civil War Diem did not allow 1956 election to re-unify country to take place He feared he would lose to Communists Increasingly, his opponents in the South begin to revolt against him 1959: Communists in the North begin supplying weapons to rebels in the South.

Vietcong The rebel forces in the South form the National Liberation Front (NLF) Its military forces are called Vietcong (Vietnamese Communists) While not all NLF are communists, they all agree Diem must go. Vietcong assassinates thousands of government officials in the South Soon, much of the countryside is under Vietcong (VC) control North Vietnamese Army (NVA) begins assisting Vietcong.

Increasing U.S. Involvement Pres. Kennedy (elected in 1960) was a firm believer in the domino theory. JFK sees Vietnam as a place where U.S. can show strength He hesitates to send in troops though Instead, he increases the number of U.S. military advisors & special forces (Green Berets). Their numbers grow in early 60’s Eventually, they begin taking part in combat Result: American casualties grow in Vietnam

Buddhist Protests Diem grows in unpopularity Begins arresting & killing Buddhist protesters. Some protest by publicly setting fire to themselves. Images shock the world & lead to America withdrawing support for Diem.

“We are launched on a course from which there is no respectable turning back: the overthrow of the Diem government. There is no turning back because there is no possibility, in my view, that the war can be won under a Diem [government].” Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., U.S. ambassador to Vietnam, Aug. 29, 1963

Diem’s Overthrow Nov. 1963: South Vietnamese generals kill Diem. US supported overthrow but not death. Pres. Kennedy still very concerned about Vietnam situation. JFK is killed shortly after Diem Would he have changed things?

What Johnson Inherited Pres. Johnson inherits a rapidly deteriorating situation in Vietnam South Vietnamese Army is on the brink of collapse North Vietnamese Army is coming into the South at an increasing rate. March 1964: Vietcong control about 40% of South Vietnam.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident Johnson believes U.S. needs to expand involvement in Vietnam to prevent Communist victory. Needs Congress to approve. 1964: Incident off coast of North Vietnam is told in a way to make it seem U.S. Naval boat was attacked. LBJ’s account to American people wasn’t exactly accurate

“I believe we have made a great mistake.” Wayne Morse One of only 2 Senators to vote against the Tonkin Resolution Senate: 88-2 House 416-0

Tonkin Resolution At the time, Congress didn’t know the facts about the incident So, they approve Gulf of Tonkin Resolution on Aug. 7th. Gave the President the power to take all necessary actions to repel any attack against U.S. forces. Johnson now has the authority to expand war in Vietnam.