1. Section 1 – The War Begins
Chapter 27
Section 1 – The War Begins

2. Background to the War – The first Indochina War
The Vietnam War is America’s longest war
France controlled “Indochina” since the late 19th century
Japan took control during World War II
With U.S. aid, France attempted re-colonization in the postwar period from
Ho Chi Minh had been fighting for Vietnamese independence since World War I.
The U.S. gave France aid to win its support in American anticommunist efforts in Western Europe.

3. Background to the War – The first Indochina War
The French lost control to Ho Chi Minh’s Viet Minh forces in 1954 at Dien Bien Phu after a 56 day battle
Minh had asked America for help clear back in 1919 after WWI when he wanted to free the area from colonial rule and use President Wilson’s idea of “self determination”
America was suspicious of Minh because he was Communist
He therefore was resentful of this and was happy to proclaim Vietnam as independent in the 1950’s
President Eisenhower declined to intervene on behalf of France.
Ho Chi Minh had been fighting for Vietnamese independence since World War I.
The U.S. gave France aid to win its support in American anticommunist efforts in Western Europe.

4. The war spreads
After WWII the United States was very concerned with the spread of Communism
It all started with the Soviet Union, then China, then Korea, and now Indochina
Many American politicians subscribed to what was known as the domino theory
President Eisenhower described it as: “You have a row of dominos set up. You knock over the first on, and what will happen to the last one is the certainty that it will go over very quickly.”
Therefore, the U.S. planned to stop Communism in its tracks!

5. International Conference at Geneva
Vietnam Divided
International Conference at Geneva
Vietnam was divided at 17th parallel
Ho Chi Minh’s nationalist forces controlled the North
Ngo Dinh Diem, a French- educated, Roman Catholic claimed control of the South
Realizing he would Diem backs out of elections.

6. Vietnam Divided
A date was set for democratic elections to reunify Vietnam
Diem backed out of the elections, leading to military conflict between North and South
Guerrilla fighters from the South carried out terror attacks against Diem’s officials & were supplied by the North
These guerrilla fighters came to be called the Vietcong
Realizing he would lose, Diem backed out of elections.

7. U.S. Military Involvement Begins
Repressive dictatorial rule by Diem
Diem’s family holds all power
Wealth is hoarded by the elite
Buddhist majority persecuted
Torture, lack of political freedom prevail
The U.S. aided Diem’s government
Ike sent financial and military aid
675 U.S. Army advisors sent by 1960.
Realizing he would Diem backs out of elections.

8. Early Protests of Diem’s Government
Self-Emolation by a Buddhist Monk

9. U.S. Military Involvement Begins
Kennedy elected 1960
Increases military “advisors” to 16,000 in South Vietnam
Diem imprisons people against him & many of his officials are corrupt
U.S. fears that this all is strengthening the Vietcong
1963: JFK supports a Vietnamese military coup d’etat – Diem and his brother are murdered (November 2, 1963)
Kennedy was assassinated just weeks later (November 22, 1963)
Kennedy’s advisors were clearly fighting a covert war by 1963.
MacNamara has suggested that he believes Kennedy would have pulled the U.S. out, but evidence in inconclusive.
JFK realizes Diem is a liability; offers quiet support to a Vietnamese military coup d’etat.
The coup results in the brutal murders of Diem and his brother
The Vietnamese generals overthrow one another. A relatively stable, but tyrannical government emerges. It is little better than Diem’s.