1. Do Now: Why do you think there is always a nation split up by the two major economic/political systems?

2. CausesResults 1 – Vietnamese Communist rebels (the Vietcong*), led by Ho Chi Minh*, and successfully attacked the French forces that controlled their country. 2 – Vietnam gains its independence but its split into 2 countries; a Communist North & a non-communist South 3 – The Vietcong attack South Vietnam, hoping to unite all Vietnam under a Communist government. The US sent troops to prevent this. 4 – Domino Theory* – the US felt that if South Vietnam was taken over by Communists, the rest of Asia would soon follow. 1 – After 8 years of bitter fighting & 56,000 US deaths, American troops left. 2 years later, the North defeated the South Vietnamese. 2 – Vietnam was united into 1 Communist country but the Domino Theory never occurred, most Asian nations remained free of Communism.

4. Read the Handout – The War in Vietnam Underline or highlight the important information. Answer questions 1 – 5.

5. What are the similarities & differences between the Vietnam & Korean Wars?