Unit 8 ER # 2 Notes on the Causes of the Vietnam War

I. Background A. French Colonial Rule( ) 1. B/f French rule, most land is owned communally (For all to use, mostly self- sustaining) 2. France changes Vietnam into a plantation economy (For export crops like tobacco, rice, etc.) 3. France loses control of V. during WWII A. French Colonial Rule( ) 1. B/f French rule, most land is owned communally (For all to use, mostly self- sustaining) 2. France changes Vietnam into a plantation economy (For export crops like tobacco, rice, etc.) 3. France loses control of V. during WWII

I. Background B. Japan Invades ( ) 1. Japan invades and occupies Vietnam during WWII 2. Vietminh (Vietnamese Commies) rebel and kick Japan out! B. Japan Invades ( ) 1. Japan invades and occupies Vietnam during WWII 2. Vietminh (Vietnamese Commies) rebel and kick Japan out!

I. Background C. France tries to reconquer its former colony ( ) 1. USA gives France lots of $ 2. Vietminh (now Vietcong) defeat the French 3. Vietnam split into Communist North and Non- communist South C. France tries to reconquer its former colony ( ) 1. USA gives France lots of $ 2. Vietminh (now Vietcong) defeat the French 3. Vietnam split into Communist North and Non- communist South

II. Vietnam War( ) A.US Reasons for Fighting 1. Stop the Spread of Communism *domino theory- If one nation falls to communism, their neighbors will also fall 2. It should be an easy war *US is powerful * Vietnamese are powerless b/c of decades of war and colonialism A.US Reasons for Fighting 1. Stop the Spread of Communism *domino theory- If one nation falls to communism, their neighbors will also fall 2. It should be an easy war *US is powerful * Vietnamese are powerless b/c of decades of war and colonialism

II. Vietnam War B. Vietnamese Reasons for Fighting 1. Land Reform *Make land communally owned again 2. Kick out the imperialists(like they did twice b/f) B. Vietnamese Reasons for Fighting 1. Land Reform *Make land communally owned again 2. Kick out the imperialists(like they did twice b/f)

III.US Tactics A. War of Attrition *Body Count-success is measured in number of V. killed B. Bombs *More bombs dropped on V. than all of Europe in WWII! C.Napalm *Gasoline Jelly-used to destroy vegetation but often used on V. people A. War of Attrition *Body Count-success is measured in number of V. killed B. Bombs *More bombs dropped on V. than all of Europe in WWII! C.Napalm *Gasoline Jelly-used to destroy vegetation but often used on V. people

Napalm “Well, I went and saw those children burned by napalm and it is absolutely true. The chemical reaction of this napalm does melt the flesh, and the flesh melts right down their faces on to their chests…these children can’t move their heads, they were so thick with flesh…” Ladies Home Journal(1966) “Well, I went and saw those children burned by napalm and it is absolutely true. The chemical reaction of this napalm does melt the flesh, and the flesh melts right down their faces on to their chests…these children can’t move their heads, they were so thick with flesh…” Ladies Home Journal(1966)

Images of the War

IV.Vietcong Tactics A. Confusion *US cannot tell friend from enemy B. Tunneling *V. live and travel underground to avoid bombs C. Guerilla Tactics *Makeshift traps, reusing US rockets, coke can grenades A. Confusion *US cannot tell friend from enemy B. Tunneling *V. live and travel underground to avoid bombs C. Guerilla Tactics *Makeshift traps, reusing US rockets, coke can grenades

V. Results A. Body Count *US: 56,000 deaths *Vietnamese: 3-5 million deaths B. US loses, withdraws, refuses to pay reparations C. Vietnam unites as one Communist nation A. Body Count *US: 56,000 deaths *Vietnamese: 3-5 million deaths B. US loses, withdraws, refuses to pay reparations C. Vietnam unites as one Communist nation

Causes of the Vietnam War Essay Review Who When Where What How Why Who When Where What How Why US vs. Vietcong Vietnam War on Commies US: body count, bombing, napalm Vietcong: tunneling, guerilla tactics US: anti- communism Vietcong: anti- imperialism (land reform)

QUESTIONS What were the causes of the Vietnam War? What were the results? What were the causes of the Vietnam War? What were the results?