The Vietnam Conflict: A History

Map of Vietnam

History of Vietnam Fought to remain independent of foreign conquerors Ruled by China for centuries France made Vietnam a colony in the mid 1800’s Fought to remain independent of foreign conquerors Ruled by China for centuries France made Vietnam a colony in the mid 1800’s

French Colonialism French Colonialism Used raw materials: rubber, rice, and lumber Exploited the population for cheap labor People suffered under French rule 1920: Vietnamese Communist Party under Ho Chi Minh is assembled…called the Viet Minh Used raw materials: rubber, rice, and lumber Exploited the population for cheap labor People suffered under French rule 1920: Vietnamese Communist Party under Ho Chi Minh is assembled…called the Viet Minh

World War II Vietnam was occupied by Japan Viet Minh fought guerilla war against the Japanese 1945 End of WWII- French regain control of Vietnam from the British French control is weak because of the war in Europe Vietnam was occupied by Japan Viet Minh fought guerilla war against the Japanese 1945 End of WWII- French regain control of Vietnam from the British French control is weak because of the war in Europe

Ho Chi Minh Revolt against French led by Minh Studied Communism in China and USSR “Barefoot Army” French controlled cities, Minh controlled countryside (85% of population) French defeated at Dienbienphu in May of ,500 French, only 3,000 survive Revolt against French led by Minh Studied Communism in China and USSR “Barefoot Army” French controlled cities, Minh controlled countryside (85% of population) French defeated at Dienbienphu in May of ,500 French, only 3,000 survive

American Influence American Influence US financed 80% of war US takes France’s place in Southeast Asia US afraid of Communist Vietnam- “Domino Effect” Cease fire agreement called for by international conference US financed 80% of war US takes France’s place in Southeast Asia US afraid of Communist Vietnam- “Domino Effect” Cease fire agreement called for by international conference

Vietnam Divided Divided in half at 17 th Parallel North - Communist rule (Ho Chi Minh) Capital - Hanoi South - Government supported by US Ngo Dinh Diem - President More emperor than president Capital - Saigon Divided in half at 17 th Parallel North - Communist rule (Ho Chi Minh) Capital - Hanoi South - Government supported by US Ngo Dinh Diem - President More emperor than president Capital - Saigon

US Presence 1961 – ,000 military advisors in country Special Forces - Green Berets Aerial spraying of herbicides over rural Vietnam By 1963, 17,000 US troops 1961 – ,000 military advisors in country Special Forces - Green Berets Aerial spraying of herbicides over rural Vietnam By 1963, 17,000 US troops

South Vietnamese Government Nov. 1, Coup in SV, Diem killed Nov. 22, President Kennedy assassinated - Johnson becomes President SV government extremely unstable Changes leaders 8 times in 2 years Nov. 1, Coup in SV, Diem killed Nov. 22, President Kennedy assassinated - Johnson becomes President SV government extremely unstable Changes leaders 8 times in 2 years

Vietcong Vietcong Communist soldiers in South Vietnam Terrorists Supplied by NV through the Ho Chi Minh Trail Bombed public places where Americans congregated Charlie, Cong, VC, Mr. Charles, Victor Charlie Communist soldiers in South Vietnam Terrorists Supplied by NV through the Ho Chi Minh Trail Bombed public places where Americans congregated Charlie, Cong, VC, Mr. Charles, Victor Charlie

Gulf of Tonkin Incident President Johnson wanted to bomb Hanoi Congress had to approve bombing Aug. 2, Gulf of Tonkin (off NV coast) Destroyer USS Maddox attacked by NV gun-boats Sank 1, crippled other 2 Maddox hit by 1 bullet Fact or hoax? reason to bomb President Johnson wanted to bomb Hanoi Congress had to approve bombing Aug. 2, Gulf of Tonkin (off NV coast) Destroyer USS Maddox attacked by NV gun-boats Sank 1, crippled other 2 Maddox hit by 1 bullet Fact or hoax? reason to bomb

Operation Rolling Thunder Air war begins over North Vietnam Public backs President Intimidate NV people and leaders Bombing was not the answer

Combat Troops Combat Troops

Combat Troops Cont. March 8, ,500 Marines land at DaNang ,000 troops in country ,000 troops in country Tour of duty - 1 year Domestic opposition: Win the “hearts and minds” of the South Vietnamese people March 8, ,500 Marines land at DaNang ,000 troops in country ,000 troops in country Tour of duty - 1 year Domestic opposition: Win the “hearts and minds” of the South Vietnamese people

The Vietnamese ARVN - Army of the Republic of South Vietnam - Not very dependable, over-matched by North NVA - North Vietnamese Army - Battle-hardened troops, fighting Chinese, French, and Japanese. VietCong - South Vietnamese Communists- ally to NVA ARVN - Army of the Republic of South Vietnam - Not very dependable, over-matched by North NVA - North Vietnamese Army - Battle-hardened troops, fighting Chinese, French, and Japanese. VietCong - South Vietnamese Communists- ally to NVA

How War Was Fought

Cont.

Booby Traps

Tet Offensive: The Beginning of the End 1968-Tet New Year- cease fire US public thought war was going our way NV and VC launch attacks against 100 towns and cities in SV and most military installations Overrun the US Embassy in Saigon Pictures shown on TV Public learns that war is not as they thought VC mostly destroyed as a fighting force Tet New Year- cease fire US public thought war was going our way NV and VC launch attacks against 100 towns and cities in SV and most military installations Overrun the US Embassy in Saigon Pictures shown on TV Public learns that war is not as they thought VC mostly destroyed as a fighting force.

Final Years Final Years Most US troops withdraw Peace agreement signed in Paris Fighting erupts between North and South 1975 Saigon is overrun and falls US personnel evacuated Saigon becomes Ho Chi Minh City Most US troops withdraw Peace agreement signed in Paris Fighting erupts between North and South 1975 Saigon is overrun and falls US personnel evacuated Saigon becomes Ho Chi Minh City

Casualties - U.S. MILITARY CASUALTIES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA - - DEATHS BY CASUALTY TYPE AND SERVICE - - AS OF MARCH 31, Since names have been added to the memorial that are not show in the stats below. CASUALTY TYPEUSAUSNUSAFUSMCUSCGTOTAL HOSTILE KILLED 25,3581, ,491438,505 HOSTILE DIED OF WOUNDS 3, ,47615,242 HOSTILE DIED WHILE MISSING 1, , ,523 HOSTILE DIED WHILE CAPTURED/INTERNED NONHOSTILE DIED OF OTHER CAUSES 4, ,43627,455 NONHOSTILE DIED OF ILLNESS/INJURIES 1, ,990 NONHOSTILE DIED WHILE MISSING ,353 TOTAL38,1962,5552,58314,837758,178

Final Numbers 10 million Vietnamese-1/2 population homeless US cost of war- around $150 billion dollars