France and Indochina

Containment Mao Ze-dong, communist leader, succeeds in taking over China in 1949 –People’s Republic of China (PRC) US believes China to be puppets of USSR Refuses to acknowledge new govt

France Post WWII Reasserts colonial holdings in Indochina (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos) Anti-colonial movement led by Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam has taken root Declare independence a month after WWII ends France refuses to accept it

Insurgent Campaign Ho Chi Minh and forces called the Vietminh in full-blown fight against French French try to set up a government with Bao Dai as leader Jan 1950 Vietminh proclaim control as Democratic Republic of Vietnam US ignores

US Opinion - shifts At start of French-Vietminh conflict US sympathizes with Vietnam Own struggle with G.B. Korean War causes shift in US opinion See Vietnam as chance to contain Communism 1950 US signs Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement with France

Geneva Conference British, Soviets, US, France, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, China, and Ho Chi Minh reps from Dem. Rep. of Vietnam Tentative peace: Vietnam in 2 regions North controlled by Vietminh South controlled by State of Vietnam Many Vietminh from South “regroup” into Vietcong in North to continue communist cause post Geneva conference

Leaders of North Vietnam Ho Chi Mihn until his death in 1969 Le Duan – leader Pham Van Dong – led reunified Vietnam

Leaders of South Vietnam Bao Dai: French supported leader ousted by Diem Ngo Dinh Diem: Leader until killed by own generals in coup Nguyen Van Thieu: president of S. Vietnam until the fall of capital, Saigon.

Presidential Timeline Eisenhower: provided military aid to the French in Indochina, but refused to commit U.S. troops JFK: (assassinated) tripled the amount of American aid to Vietnam and increased the number of U.S. military advisors there LBJ: won a second term, but then increased U.S. involvement in Vietnam, and his popularity plummeted

Timeline Continued… Nixon: policy of "Vietnamization," whereby many U.S. troops were withdrawn and replaced by South Vietnamese army continued to provide supplies and air support for the Vietnamese, and expanded the war into Laos and Cambodia cease-fire agreement signed that, "brings peace with honor in Vietnam and Southeast Asia," -Nixon last American forces left Vietnam during Nixon's second term

Timeline Continued… Carter: Jan 21, 1977 proclaimed a blanket pardon for nearly all those who had evaded the military draft.

The End 1973: End of Military Draft Announced Last American Troops Leave Vietnam 1975: North Vietnam takes control of South and reunifies the nation of Vietnam 1976: Socialist Republic of Vietnam Joins United Nations

Tet Offensive 1968: U.S. military caught off guard, North Vietnamese and Vietcong attack several key cities in South Vietnam. Within days, US forces recapture most areas. Military point of view, Tet is a huge defeat for the Communists, but becomes a psychological victory. U.S. military's assessment of the war is questioned and further opposition builds.

My Lai Massacre March 1968: On March 16, the angry and frustrated US soldiers of 11th Brigade, enter the village of My Lai. "This is what you've been waiting for -- search and destroy -- and you've got it," say their superior officers. A short time later the killing begins. Sends shockwaves through the U.S.

Change in Tactics 1959: Weapons Moving Along Ho Chi Minh Trail 1962: U.S. Military Employs Agent Orange

Gulf of Tonkin 1964: Incident August 2, N.Vietnamese boats allegedly fire torpedoes at U.S.S. Maddox, a destroyer in the Tonkin Gulf (off coast of N. Vietnam) Alleged second attack August 4. Attack after 6 months of covert U.S. and S.V. naval operations. Resolution Approved by Congress on August 7 and authorizes President LBJ to "take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against forces of the United States." Resolution allows LBJ to wage all out war against North Vietnam without a formal Declaration of War from Congress.

Cambodia 1969: Nixon Begins Secret Bombing of Cambodia To destroy Communist supply routes and base camps in Cambodia secret from Congress and public for 14 months. 1973: Hearings on Secret Bombings Begin Allegations: Nixon allowed secret bombing raids when Cambodia's neutrality was officially recognized. Result: Congress orders bombing in Cambodia cease