1. conflict in Vietnam Laos & Cambodia
*Cold War-era
conflict in Vietnam Laos & Cambodia
to 1975

2. History of Conflict
In 1850s France (Imperialism) gained control of Indo-China
… Current nations of Vietnam, Laos, & Cambodia

4. Japan takes over WWII
Once France was defeated by Nazis (1940) – Axis Power Japan put in charge
Revolutionary group called Viet Minh leadership from Ho Chi Minh … which had been fighting the French now went to fighting the Japanese

5. Vietnam Split in Two North Vietnam - support by Soviet Union & China
South Vietnam - support by USA + NATO allies
... but France was given primary responsibility since these were her former colonies
USA supplies Marshall Plan $ to assist rebuild

7. Containment
U.S. Gov viewed involvement as way to prevent Communist takeover of Vietnam
Domino Theory = spread of communism

8. First Indo-China War
Rebel group led by Ho Chi Minh & supplied by North Vietnamese Gov began war (invades South Vietnam) to expel France … group came to be called Vietcong
War spread to Laos & Cambodia - where Khmer Rouge (supplied by China) began fighting French … to gain independence

9. Khmer Rouge

10. Viet Cong Vietnamese communist group – armed by North Vietnam + China
- hiding in North & South
- civil war in South vs anti-communists
- see conflict as colonial war vs France
- see conflict as way to re-unify country without influence from foreign interests

11. Can You Tell?

12. Dien Bien Phu
China supplied weapons & training turns Viet Cong into powerful guerrilla force
– able to wear down French forces
French troop losses huge war costs = drop involvement in Indochina in 1954

13. Back to original 17th Parallel
North Vietnam - support by USSR & China
South Vietnam - support by USA, Britain, & NATO
Massive relocation (people) & reallocation (resources) campaigns … $93 million (US)
Installation of temporary Prime Minister in South Vietnam (Ngo Dinh Diem) … until elections held

14. Ngo Dinh Diem - Catholic in Buddhist country
- Conservative in area with many needs
- Nationalist desires Gov control of Econ
- Advocate for US involvement
… Puppet???
Wins 98% of vote in the South prior to National elections

15. Man of The Year

16. Picture of the Year

17. Questionable Leadership
Fears election loss to Ho Chi Minh (80%) – eliminates opposition political parties and names his brother as “Free Election Supervisor”
Fearing loss of Catholic power-base
- sends military police against Buddhists
Multiple claims of corruption, political promotions, and bad economic policies – especially in rural areas
Poor Econ growth = Blame Communists

18. Assassination of Diem -1963
American CIA = considering plan to remove Diem
Many ?s surround Diem's murder & the Coup de tat (overthrow of Gov)
- CIA, Viet Cong, North Vietnam, China
South Vietnam dives into political upheaval - increasing influence of Viet Cong

19. Gulf of Tonkin Incident
U.S. involvement escalates more in Battleship clashes with North Vietnam
Pres Johnson uses incident to authorize increasing US troop presence in region (Southeast Asia)

20. Escalation
U.S. troop deployment to Vietnam rose rapidly - targeting Viet Cong … policy of “limited engagement”
- 16,500 in ,000 in 1965
- 415,000 in 1968
Continuous bombing of North Vietnam