Chapter 26 The Vietnam War

Chapter 26 Lesson 1

Vietnam Post WWII – France goes into Vietnam to regain its old colony U.S. Supports the French Vietnamese want to rule themselves Ho Chi Minh becomes the communist leader of the Vietnamese

America Aids the French After Japans surrender in 1945, France moves in to regain it’s former colony U.S. sends aid to France to stop Minh’s communist government. Eisenhower believed that if Vietnam were to fall to communism it would lead to a domino effect. Domino Theory – The rest of South East Asia would fall to communism if Vietnam did. U.S. opposed to colonialism but fears the spread of communism in Vietnam

Defeat at Dien Bien Phu Vietnamese use guerilla warfare to defeat the French Vietnamese surround Dien Bien Phu and bombard the French force Forces the French to make peace and withdraw from Vietnam 1954 – Vietnam is divided into North and South

1954 Geneva Accords Divide Vietnam in to North and South Communism – North Democratic – South (backed by U.S.)

American Involvement Deepens Ho Chi Minh organizes communist sympathizers in the south (Vietcong) President Kennedy expands U.S. involvement in Vietnam Troop levels jump from 2,000 to 15,000 from 1961-1963 South Vietnam President Ngo Dinh Diem alienates Buddhist Monks. Monks protest and are killed by police South Generals plan a coup to overthrow Diem. Seize control on November 1, 1963 and execute Diem (South Vietnams government weakened) Buddhism is the predominate religion in Vietnam. Monks set themselves on fire – upsets many in the U.S.

American Involvement Deepens President Kennedy assassinated – Lyndon Johnson continues Kennedy’s legacy in Vietnam North Vietnam’s navy attacks U.S. ships in the Gulf of Tonkin. Johnson asks Congress for approval to send additional U.S. troops. Congress approves the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

A Bloody Stalemate By 1966 300,000+ U.S. personnel in Vietnam U.S. superior weapons and technology Vietcong – blend in with the civilian population, booby traps, and guerilla warfare

Search and Destroy Draw the enemy out into the open Planes drop Napalm and Agent Orange

The Ho Chi Minh Trail Network of jungle paths that wind through Cambodia and Laos Used to transport troops and equipment North Vietnam receives support from China and Russia Johnson feared attacking North Vietnam would bring China into the war (repeat of Korean War)

Chapter 26 Lesson 2