Most people know how long and brutal the Vietnam War was, and most know how much controversy and protest it caused at home, but how much do you know about how the United States became involved in Vietnam? Read the following sections of your textbook: Page 837, right-hand column (continues six lines on p. 838) Begin with the last sentence on 841 and read the following two paragraphs. Read all of Page 881. 2. Based on your reading, decide what were the four most important events and the four most important people in bringing the U.S. into the war in Vietnam and in escalating our role in the war (don’t go past 1964). Focus on the people and events that you just could not explain the story without. 3. For each, write 25 words explaining why you chose to include that person or event in your list.

Ho Chi Minh Leader of the Vietnamese independence movement. Declared independence for Vietnam on Sept. 2, 1945. The U.S. had supported him during World War II against the Japanese, but as it became clear he intended to create an independent, Communist Vietnam, the U.S. turned against their former ally. Ho led the North Vietnamese forces until his death in 1969.

Ngo Dinh Diem President of South Vietnam, Ngo Dinh Diem was an anti-Communist Catholic who had spent time in the U.S. Sensing that he would lose a nation-wide election to Ho Chi Minh in 1956, he refused to participate and tried to maintain power in the South. His dictatorial regime was overthrown by a group with U.S. support in 1963.

John F. Kennedy Became President in 1961 and continued Eisenhower’s policy of support for Ngo Dinh Diem’s government. Sent financial and military aid to Diem, and had sent 16,000 U.S. military “advisors” to South Vietnam by 1963.

Lyndon B. Johnson Became President in 1963. Escalated the U.S. role in Vietnam. Asked Congress for approval to increase America’s military role in Vietnam (Tonkin Gulf Resolution). By 1965, he had sent 50,000 U.S. soldiers to battle the Vietcong in South Vietnam. Eventually, he would send 500,000.

Who else could you have included? Why?

French Colonization France colonized the region, which became known as French Indochina in the late 1800s. French colonists established rice plantations and made great profits in both rice and rubber. French missionaries spread Catholicism to the region. The French military cracked down on Vietnamese resistance to their rule. The French lost Indochina to the Japanese in WWII and never truly regained control, although they fought for it until 1954 against Vietnamese nationalists.

World War II During World War II, the Japanese took control of French Indochina. When Japan was defeated in 1945, Ho Chi Minh and other Vietnamese nationalists had no intention of returning to foreign rule. Although the French returned after the war and fought for control of the region, they were ultimately defeated in 1954 by Vietnamese nationalists and left.

The Battle of Dien Bien Phu Despite massive U.S. aid, French forces were defeated by the Vietminh at Dien Bien Phu in 1954. With the French surrender and evacuation of Vietnam, the United States took the lead in trying to prevent Ho Chi Minh and his Communist forces from taking control of Vietnam.

The Geneva Accords Vietnam temporarily divided at the 17th parallel North: Communist under Ho Chi Minh South: Ngo Dinh Diem National Election scheduled to reunify Vietnam in 1956 NEVER HAPPENED

Tonkin Gulf Resolution Aug 2, 1964 – U.S.S. Maddox fires upon 3 NV PT Boats – reports say the PT boats attacked first Aug 4, 1964 – U.S.S. Maddox and U.S.S Turner Joy report being fired upon by NV PT Boats Later discovered that attack probably never took place. Congress authorized Johnson to take “all necessary measures…”

What other events could you have included? Why?

Other terms to know: Vietminh: North Vietnamese nationalist group led by Ho Chi Minh that fought against the French for independence. The Vietminh defeated the French in 1954. Vietcong: Communist group in South Vietnam fighting against the Diem government. Continued to fight against U.S. forces in the South as the war escalated. (Slang: V.C., Charlie)