Vietnam War

Indochina France once controlled –Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia carved out Indochina Vietnamese, led by Ho Chi Minh, were determined French would not return after WWII –Led Vietnamese people in fight for independence –Received help from Communist China and Soviet Union French withdrew in 1954 –After withdrawal, Vietnam temporarily divided along 17 th parallel

Two Vietnams Communism: form of government in which the government alone decides how to use the resources of its country North Vietnam –Communist ruled –Leader was Ho Chi Minh, Vietnamese communist –Assisted by communist China and communist Soviet Union –Carried war into South Vietnam

Two Vietnams-continued South Vietnam –French chose leader –No leader strong enough to remain in power –Supported by U.S. and other Western nations –Concerned about stopping communist expansion (Domino Theory) Domino Theory –Belief that a Communist victory in Vietnam would encourage expansion of communism throughout SE Asia

Two Vietnams-continued Supporters of both communist and democratic governments pledged to reunite Vietnam, but couldn’t agree on how a reunited Vietnam would govern Led to Vietnam War

U.S. Military Involvement U.S. entered war as “advisors” to South Vietnam Involvement grew 1960s U.S. deployed troops fight August 4, 1964 Fought about 10 years, before withdrawing January 27, 1973 Approximately 58,000 American soldiers killed, many more seriously injured

U.S. Military Involvement-cont. American people divided over whether we should fight –Many anti-war demonstrations War difficult fight –Couldn’t tell enemy from friend North Vietnamese soldiers not uniformed, blended with villagers in South Vietnam –Jungle camouflaged enemy

U.S. Military Involvement-cont. Ho Chi Minh Trail –Major supply route for North Vietnamese to invade South Vietnam –U.S. targeted trail, but didn’t stop North Vietnamese from getting supplies to its soldiers in South

U.S. Military Involvement-cont. 26 th Amendment to Constitution –Extended right to vote to all citizens 18 years and older –Ratified 1973 Vietnam War precipitated amendment –If a young man was old enough to be drafted, he should be old enough to vote for or against those who lead country into war

U.S. Military Involvement-cont. About 2 years after American forces withdrew: –South Vietnam collapsed in defeat to North Vietnam Harsh communist led dictatorship imposed on country

Effect of War on SE Asia Much of region hurt by war War spread into Cambodia and Laos Khmer Rouge government in Cambodia was brutal communist government

Post Vietnam Since 1980s: –Leaders reformed society and stimulated economy –Abandoned efforts to build full communist society—built mixed economy instead –Foreign investment encouraged

Post Vietnam-continued Since 1980s: –Signed peace treaty with Cambodia –Established full diplomatic relations with U.S. and China –Leaders declared their support of “economic reform and political stability”