1. The Vietnam Conflict Begins

2. How did the US become involved in Vietnam?
French Rule in Vietnam (Indochina)
U.S. assists WWII ally France in controlling the colony
The Vietminh, under Ho Chi Minh, are a Communist group pushing for independence

3. US Becomes Involved
Vietminh attack the French as a Communist army & U.S enforces the Truman Doctrine to stamp out the Communist ideology around the world
U.S. joins the conflict through the idea of the Domino Theory

4. Domino Theory
Domino Theory – countries would fall to Communism in a domino fashion of one after another until the whole world is in Communist control

5. North vs. South Ho Chi Minh calls for a popular election
Communist in the North vs. anti-Communists, under Ngo Dinh Diem, in the South
Anti-Communists and the U.S. cancel the popular elections in Vietnam
U.S. later supports an assassination of Diem (anti-Communist) and Vietnam fractures
Vietcong=communist opposition group in the South

6. Gulf of Tonkin Incident
The Tonkin Gulf Resolution
U.S.S. Maddox is attacked by the North Vietnamese
2 days later 2 American ships are “attacked”…though no sailors report it (?)
Lyndon Johnson calls for U.S. bombing and involves ground personnel

7. America Goes to War American Conscription
American has a small standing Army after WWII and the Korean War so a draft is instituted
All men aged are entered into the draft lottery
Ways out: physical, mental, student, or draft dodging
Known as the war of the “working-class”
Massive protests, sit ins, and demonstrations rage in the U.S. over forced military service
Riots and protests break out all over the U.S.

8. US Troop Strength