1. Vietnam…the beginning
The “living room” war

2. Vietnamese Independence
Vietnam = Indochine under French rule (colony)
Indochine declares independence 9/1945 = war for 10 years
Rebels led by communist Ho Chi Minh
Truman’s containment policy = China already “fell”, $2.6 billion aid to France
Domino Theory
Vietnamese Independence

3. Rebels win (against France)
Peace conference in Geneva, Switzerland
Temporary dividing line at 17th parallel between communist North and US backed anti-communist South
French troops move to South for withdrawal
Elections to be held for a united Vietnam
Geneva Accords

4. Leaders South = Ngo Dihn Diem North = Ho Chi Minh Very popular
Ruthless autocrat
Leaders

5. S. Vietnam’s Diem… Refuses to allow 1956 vote
Feared a loss
Asks US for military advisors and assistance
Eisenhower = 600 advisors in 1960
JFK = 11,000 by 1962
Corrupt and unpopular
Against Buddhist majority = self immolation
S. Vietnam’s Diem…

6. Communist fighters Both sides of 17th parallel VietCong (VC)
Goal = defeat corrupt Diem
VietCong (VC)
NFLV (National Front Liberation of Vietnam)
Communist fighters

7. The Assassination of Diem
US quickly realizes “truth” about Diem
Isn’t helping war effort
Isn’t improving lives of people
US withdraws support of Diem
CIA involvement against Diem begins..Pentagon Papers
Diem and brother assassinated 1963 = South Vietnam in shambles, VC recruits rise
The Assassination of Diem

8. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
US ships along coast on N Vietnam for intel purposes
August 2, 1964: four NV torpedo boats fire on destroyer USS Maddox = one round hits deck
August 4, 1964: Intel suggests NV ships attack USS Maddox and another destroyer
August 7 : Congress grants Johnson authority to defend US armed forces and South Vietnam (not a declaration of war, an approval to participate)
Now know that no attack occurred on August 4
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

10. Feb 1965: first bombing against N Vietnam = Operation Rolling Thunder
Hope that N Vietnam would stop reinforcing VC in South Vietnam
Massive destruction didn’t compel VC to quit
Bombing campaigns