1. US and Vietnam
No clever subtitle

2. A New Look
Vietnam History
US’s Role in Vietnam

3. Vietnam History
Before WWII, Vietnam was a French colony, part of Indochina
Japanese took control after Germany defeated France
Resistance was led by Ho Chi Minh
After WWII, France tried to regain power
Ho and his followers, communists, fought a war for liberation
Defeated France in 1954 at Dien Bien Phu
Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia were independent

4. Vietnam History
North Vietnam became communist and South Vietnam was not
S. V. gov’t was corrupt because it was run by wealthy land owners and businessmen
In the 1960s, the Viet Cong emerged and attempted to overthrow the gov’t
They were SV communists
VC asked NV for help

5. US’s Role in Vietnam US wanted to prevent the spread of Communism
What is this called?
Sent military advisors and equipment to Vietnam
In response, NV sent in troops to SV to fight in the civil war
By 1965, the US was in a full scale war with NVA and VC
US lost the war and 50,000 American troops

6. US’s Role in Vietnam
SV fell in 1975 to communism and Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City
The Vietnam War caused division in American society
People left the US rather than serve in the war
War protests on college campuses

7. Kent State University

9. New Opportunities
Trade Embargo
Vietnam as a Place for Business

10. Trade Embargo Lifted in 1994 by Clinton Had been in effect since 1975
Some wanted to wait until American MIA were accounted for
Families wanted to know
The remains of some Americans have been returned
Vietnam did this to improve relations

11. Trade Embargo
The lifting of the embargo was accompanied with a pledge to find MIAs
For business, the cessation of the embargo was a windfall
Opened up new markets
Vietnam is poor, so people are only potential customers
Cheap source of labor

12. Vietnam as a Place for Business
Companies like Microsoft and Pepsi moved into Vietnam
Mobil Oil given rights in the South China Sea
By 1990’s, Vietnam was energetic about American investment
Money and technology would improve the lives of the people

13. Vietnam as a Place for Business
Provide protection against China
Traditional enemies
Imports cheap goods
Building airfields on disputed land
July 1995, Clinton recognized Vietnam and began ambassador exchange
MIA families protested
Most welcomed the change