1. Vietnam War History of Conflicts in Vietnam

2. France During the 1800’s France controlled the areas of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia Up until 1945 the area was known as French Indochina

3. Resistance and war Ho Chi Mihn- Vietnamese nationalist (wanted Vietnam to be controlled by the Vietnamese) He believed a Communist revolution would drive the French out of Vietnam

4. WWII Japan occupied Vietnam during WWII, driving the French out Ho refused to accept Japanese rule After Japan lost the war Ho declared Vietnam and independent nation. September 2, 1945

5. France returns France tried to reclaim Vietnam Eisenhower aided the French against Ho mainly because Ho was communist.

6. France defeated The Vietminh defeated the French army at Dien Bien Phu. 1954 – France surrenders July 1954 Vietnam is divided into North and South Vietnam by the Geneva Accords

7. Domino theory If Vietnam falls to the communists all of the countries around Vienam will become communist. Just like China and North Korea.

8. North and South North – communist led by Ho Chi Minh South – anti-communist led by Ngo Dinh Diem Elections to unite Vietnam were scheduled for July 1966

9. South Vietnam Diems gov’t was corrupt and brutal Eisenhower sent supplies and provided military training for his soldiers Diem refused to allow South Vietnam to take part in elections Thousands of South Vietnamese were arressted for supporting Ho Chi Minh

10. South Cont. Many who supported HO joined the National Liberation Front (NLF) to fight Diem’s government The Vietcong North Vietnamese Soldiers aided the NLF and began a Civil War in 1950.

11. North Vietnam The gov’t had the support of most of the people However, landowners were blamed for the poverty of the rest of the people, 1000’s of them were imprisoned and killed under Ho’s regime Their land was redistributed among the poor.

12. The Fall of Diem Diem became more unpopular Opened fire on Buddhist demonstrators. Buddists monks lit themselves on fire in protest 1963 Diem killed by his own Generals – political situation got worse

13. US involvement escalates Eisenhower sent aid and advisors to South Vietnam, 900 US military advisors by 1960 John F. Kennedy- sent special forces and more advisors 16,000 by 1963 US military personnel were in Vietnam.