1. The Vietnam War

2. North Korea (communist) invaded South Korea (capitalist) - 1950
U.S. became involved to contain communism.
American troops in a U.S. led force, attacked North Korea
Chinese troops entered on the side of North Korea
Eventually ended with a stalemate
North Korea (communist) invaded South Korea (capitalist)
After communist North Korea invaded South Korea, American military forces led a United Nations counterattack that drove deep into North Korea itself
war threatened to widen, it eventually ended in a stalemate with South Korea free of communist occupation.

3. Why did the U.S. get involved?
CONTAINMENT
To stop the spread of communism!
Why did the U.S. get involved?

4. North Vietnam was a communist country under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh
South Vietnam was a non-communist country under the leadership of Ngo Dinh Diem
1950s – North Vietnam invaded South Vietnam to try to reunite the country into one communist government
The United States tried to prevent communist take-over of South Vietnam
Vietnam divided

5. Military involvement President Eisenhower sent “advisors” to Vietnam
President Kennedy began to increase the number of U.S. troops in Vietnam
After Kennedy was assassinated, President Johnson continued the build-up of troops

6. During the 1960s, more and more troops were sent to South Vietnam
American military forces won most of the battles, but the North Vietnamese did not give up
Fighting in Vietnam

7. Hawks and Doves The United States became divided over the war effort.
Hawks – in favor of continuing the war
Doves – in favor of ending the war
Many war protests occurred, especially on college campuses
Feel Like I'm Fixin' to Die Rag
Hawks and Doves

8. Nixon & Vietnamization
In 1968, Johnson decided not to run for re-election and Richard Nixon was elected
Nixon promised “peace with honor” in Vietnam
“Vietnamization” – withdrawing American troops and replacing them with South Vietnamese forces while maintaining military aid to the South Vietnamese
Nixon & Vietnamization

9. 1973 – United States and North Vietnam signed a peace treaty
Nixon resigned from office following the Watergate scandal
1975 – North Vietnam again invaded South Vietnam and created a single unified Vietnam
End of the war