FRENCH CONTROL: colonized Vietnam as part of their Southeast Asian Empire controlled Vietnam until World War II JAPANESE CONTROL: During WWII took over control of Vietnam When Japanese surrendered to the Allies, Vietnam fell under French control again AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: Colonies in Southeast Asia (ie: Philippines) Region provided U.S. with 90% of rubber and 75% of tin

Vietnamese are fighting for independence from the French Ho Chi Minh leads fight for independence Communist China provides direct aid to the Vietnamese Truman decides he needs to extend “containment” to South East Asia Results in American aid to France – military and economic assistance ($133 million) In 1950 U.S. adopts the “domino theory” Ho Chi Minh controls 2/3 of countryside with hundreds of thousands of Vietminh Korean War solidifies American belief in containment

1950 – 1952 U.S. sent $50 million worth of economic and technical assistance to French By 1952 U.S. paying for 1/3 of cost of war French attempt to recruit Vietnamese to fight failed (shows lack of Vietnamese support for French/American effort) French had lost 90,000 soldiers – clear they would be defeated Dien Bien Phu Remote village in Northwest corner of Vietnam Both Vietminh and French had amassed troops there in 1954 General Giap of Vietminh led an attack on the village in March of ’54 U.S. debates an air strike, but decide against it – without U.S. help French doomed and surrender on May 7 th

Geneva Accords July 20 th, 1954 Vietnam is split at the 17 th parallel French withdraw from North Vietnam Elections set for 1956 to reunify country Ho Chi Minh is in power in North Ngo Dinh Diem is in power in South American Reaction to Accords Eisenhower states that it is now U.S. responsibility to defend South Vietnam from communism U.S. and South Vietnam do NOT officially “sign” accords Form SEATO (South East Asia Treaty Organization) Goal: maintain a non-communist S. Vietnam and prevent a communist victory in 1956 election U.S. is firmly committed to Diem government

South Vietnam 11 million residents economy devastated by 14 years of war and colonial dependence Diem is not supported by the countryside corrupt government 10, ,000 North Vietnamese “operatives” living in South to incite problems U.S. provided aid to help maintain a communist free South – leads to dependence on the U.S

North Vietnam 14 million residents well trained and equipped army (thanks to the Chinese) organized and functioning government Ho and his Vietminh are seen as heroes for ending French rule over Vietnam

based in the South but organized from the North North aides insurgents by moving supplies and men into South through Laos (Ho Chi Minh Trail) founded the NLF (National Liberation Front) to organize insurgents – later called the Vietcong (VC) violence breaking out in countryside Eisenhower and Diem ignored problem 1956 Election is never held JFK sent more money, but not troops – believed in aid for ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam – South Vietnam’s Army) goal: build socialism in the North and carry out communist revolution in South

Diem continues corrupt policies, including the persecution of innocent Buddhists lead a protest (“monk burning”) Kennedy administration decides Diem has to go Diem asked to step down, refuses, so CIA plots a coup First CIA coup fails, second succeeds (Diem assassinated)

LBJ vows keep Vietnam from becoming another China conditions in South worse after coup – chaos followed with no stable government U.S. rejected withdrawal because wanted to maintain “street credibility” in the world North Vietnam increases aid to southern insurgents – some Americans believe it is time to weaken the North 1964