Do Now I volunteered….Ever since the American Revolution my family had people in all the different wars, and that was always the thing- when your country needs you, you go. You don’t ask a lot of questions.” -Vietnam Soldier Respond to the above quote. Do you Agree or disagree with this soldier’s motives for going to war? Why? What Does it mean to serve your country? List And explain reasons you would fight and Die in a war.

The Vietnam War AIM: Why did the United States go to War with Vietnam?

I. Vietnam: Overview  The Vietnam War was the longest War in American history and the only War the United States lost.  During WWII most Americans had felt deeply proud of their participation in the war.  Vietnam became a study in limits for American Citizens: the limit of their country’s power and of their country’s government.  This painful awakening remained long in America’s memory, and shaped US foreign policy for decades to come.

Overview Cont.  Over 57,000 Americans and 4 Mil Vietnamese were killed in the Vietnam War.

The Vietnam Memorial, Washington, D.C.

58,00058,000

Vietnam War Memorial A Mother to her Dead son: “ I came to this black wall again to see and touch your name, and as I do I wonder If anyone ever stops to realize that next to your name, on this black wall, is You mothers heart. A heart broken 15 Years ago today, when you lost your life in Vietnam.”

II. Vietnam Presidents  Eisenhower (Ike): (‘52-60) 1st President in Vietnam. Places roughly 700 “advisors” in the country  Kennedy (‘61-’63): Kennedy Increased the number of troops to 16k  Johnson (‘63-’68): responsible for vastly increasingAmerican presence in Vietnam.  Nixon (69-74): First increases and then removes American troops.

Background to the War  Vietnam was a French colony after WWII  U.S. gave billions of $ to support this

Indochina

Background to the War  The French lost control to of Vietnam in 1954 at Dien Bien Phu. Vietnam in 1954 at Dien Bien Phu.  Vietnamese trapped Fr for 55 days. Fr lost 15,000 men  Fr surrendered ‘54

IV. Background to the War  International Conference at Geneva Vietnam was divided at 17 th parallel Vietnam was divided at 17 th parallel O Ho Chi Minh’s communist North O Ngo Dinh Diem, a French- educated, Roman Catholic claimed control of the South (Supported by U.S.)

V. Background to the War  A date was set for democratic elections to reunify Vietnam  Fearing a loss US supported Diem backed out of the elections, leading to military conflict between North and South.

VI. Domino Theory  Remember: Us Foreign Policy was Dictated during the cold war by the Domino theory.  Domino Theory: Belief that if one Country “fell” to communisms, the surrounding countries would also fall.

 Questions 1&2

DO NOW  Collect the Animal Farm Wkst from The Front of the Room :)