1. Roots of Conflict
Vietnam War

2. Vietnam’s Independence
Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia were a French colony known as French Indochina from the late 1800s - end of WWII
France increased its wealth by exporting rice and rubber from Vietnam
Vietnamese peasants lost land and grew poor

3. Revolution
1930, Ho Chi Minh united three Communists groups to form the Indochinese Communist Party (ICP)
Wanted independence for Vietnam
France arrested many suspected Communists and executed revolutionary leaders

4. WWII Years During WWII Japan took over Indochina
Viet Minh – formed by Minh to train soldiers to fight foreign rule
US aided Viet Minh because Japan was a US enemy
After Japan surrendered in 1945, Minh declared Vietnam independent
France attempted to regain control, 1946 war breaks out when France attacks

5. Viet Minh

6. America Enters the Conflict
Communism spreading through Asia concerned Americans
France asked US for aid in fighting the Viet Minh, US agreed (Containment)
Domino Theory used to explain aid given to France
If one Asian country falls the others will follow

7. Vietnam Divided 1954 - Peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland
Geneva Accords established two countries
North, Communist led by Ho Chi Minh
South, non-communist led by Ngo Dinh Diem
Split at the 17th parallel known as the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

8. Reuniting Vietnam
In 1956 a nationwide election was to reunite the North and South Vietnam
Diem refused elections because Minh was more popular with the people
Eisenhower, knowing Minh would have won, continued sending aid to strengthen Diem’s government

9. New President
Kennedy continued support in Asia fighting the spread of Communism
Bay of Pigs, 1961
Berlin Wall built, 1961
Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962

10. Diem’s Failures
Diem was corrupt and consequently drove many to Communism
South Vietnamese dissatisfied with Diem formed the National Liberation Front to overthrow Diem and reunite with North under Communist rule
Diem referred to group as Viet Cong

11. Minh Support
Minh sent soldiers and supplies to the Viet Cong via the Ho Chi Minh Trail
Kennedy asked Diem to reform his government, he didn’t
US supported a military coup overthrowing Diem (he was killed)
Johnson, new president, increased US involvement