Origins of the Vietnam War Ch. 16-1-1 Origins of the Vietnam War
Why It Matters Kennedy and Johnson both wanted a better America in the 1960s Both wanted a better world New lines were drawn against communism in Vietnam Would be one of the costliest wars in American history
America and the War in Indochina Most Americans could not locate Vietnam on a map Drew little American attention America would soon be sending millions of soldiers there Roots in: European colonialism Cold War politics Vietnamese national independence
France Rules Indochina in Southeast Asia 1800s, France took control of Indochina Modern countries of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos Slightly bigger then Texas and 27 million people France ruled strict and requested high taxes Large plantations (rice and rubber) France controlled the mineral wealth as well Most people were poor Ho Chi Minh strongest voice for independence Ho Traveled the world for 30 years Supported the Soviet Union and Communism
The French Battle Nationalism and Communism Japan undermined France during WWII in regards to Vietnam France reassumed control after WWII Colonialism was dying American thoughts: Supported Vietnamese independence Wanted France as an ally Truman sacrificed his own anticolonial sentiments America gave aid to the French Containing Ho Chi Minh became a priority League of the Independence of Vietnam Vietminh
The Domino Theory and Dien Bien Phu Eisenhower continued Truman’s policy in Vietnam Wanted to avoid the domino theory Vietnam fall to communism would lead to further communism French were defeated at Dien Bien Phu Large supply lines cut Siege for 55 days Vietnam split in two at the 17th Parallel Ho Chi Minh in the North Anticommunist government in the South Free elections to happen in 1956 to unify Vietnam
America Opposes Communism in Vietnam France asked for American military support at Dien Bien Phu Eisenhower only supplied money Eisenhower did support South Vietnam
The United States Aids South Vietnam 1954 U.S. and 7 other countries created SEATO Southeast Asia Treaty Organization Like NATO, formed to stop the spread of communism Gave military and financial aid to Ngo Dinh Diem (South Vietnam) Diem knew he would lose the 1956 election Did not participate America supported this decision
Communist Opposition Grows 1957, National Liberation Front (NLF) Committed to unifying Vietnam (located in South Vietnam) Vietcong (guerrilla fighters) Assassinated government officials and destroyed roads and bridges Diem was Catholic in a Buddhist nations (weakened his strength) Only the aid of the U.S. kept Diem in power
Kennedy Sends U.S. Troops to Vietnam Kennedy took a strong stand in 1961 Sent Special Forces to guide the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) By 1963, there were 15,000 “advisers” Diem continued to lose power Buddhist began protesting Setting themselves on fire in the streets Kennedy called for new leadership America helped replace Diem Diem was assassinated in 1963 after being removed
Johnson Leads the Nation Into War 3 weeks after Diem’s fall, Kennedy was assassinated Saw the Soviet Union, China, and Vietnam as all the same Knew Americans expected victory
Read Aloud Pg. 536 North Vietnamese and U.S. Forces Clash Congress Gives Johnson Broad Military Powers