1. THE COLD WAR: Communism Spreads Into Asia

2. Domino Theory
Idea that if a nation falls to communism, nearby nations will also fall to communism

3. The Forgotten War: Korean War
End of WWII
North Korea
Occupied by Soviet Union
Communist
South Korea
Occupied by United States
Non-Communist
38th PARALLEL

4. Korean War Begins 1950, North Koreans invaded South Korea
South Korea asked the United States and the United Nations for help
US helps out under General MacArthur

5. Then… UN forces push N. Korea across the 38th Parallel Neared China…
So the CHINESE army joined North Korean forces
Why are they helping N. Korea?

6. Results? A cease-fire agreement was signed in July, 1953
More than 2.5 million people were dead
GET THIS:
The border between the two Koreas was still drawn at the 38th Parallel!
38th PARALLEL

7. Today

8. The Vietnam War

9. Background 1900s – France controlled Vietnam
Nationalist Leader Ho Chi Minh asked for communist help
France then fought the combined Nationalist and Communist forces
United States supported France
French surrendered to Ho Chi Minh

10. Division Peace Conference Vietnam was divided at 17th parallel
North – Communism
South – anti-Communist
Sound familiar?
Problems…
There are communist guerillas in the South

11. Fighting Vietcong – communist guerillas in the South
Should the United States help out?
2 US boats were attacked
By 1968 –
½ a million American soldiers

12. The War US had most advanced military in the world Problems:
Guerrilla war in unfamiliar jungle territory
South Vietnamese gov’t became unpopular
Unpopular in the US

13. Result US troops gradually pulled out 1.5 million Vietnamese dead
Last left in 1973
1.5 million Vietnamese dead
58,000 Americans dead
Saigon capital became:
“Ho Chi Minh City”
Communist today
However, trade is welcomed there