1. Unit 10 Day 11 (Vietnam Quote: “… all Vietnam is not worth the life of a single American boy.” - Senator Ernest Gruening (Alaska) Focus Question: How successful was the US in containing communism in Asia? Specific Content: Dien Bien Phu, North/South Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, Tonkin Gulf Incident/Resolution State Standards: Strand 1 Concept 9 PO 1

2. Vietnam Beginning in the mid 1940’s the Vietnamese people began fighting against the French for their independence. After the French Army was forced to surrender at the battle of Dien Bien Phu the Vietnamese won their freedom.

3. The country would be split into two parts, North Vietnam led by Ho Chi Minh was communist and South Vietnam led by President Ngo Dinh Diem was anti-communist. Beginning with President Eisenhower the US will send aid to the South.

4. President Diem was very unpopular with the people and many groups protested against him. In 1963, he was overthrown by a US supported military coup.

5. On August 2 nd 1964 a US naval ship, the USS Maddox, was attacked by North Vietnamese boats. President Johnson asked Congress for powers to take “all necessary means to prevent further aggression.”

6. On August 7 th Congress passed the Tonkin Gulf Resolution giving the President broad military powers in Vietnam.

7. Activity 1.How is the author of this cartoon and when was it drawn? 2.Who is the audience of this cartoon? 3.What is the message of this cartoon?

8. Herb Block, The Washington Post, 1967