1. The Vietnam War The Key players

2. THE VIETNAMESE

3. Ho Chi Minh “Uncle Ho” Leader of The Vietminh Nationalist Communist Becomes leader of North Vietnam after partition Dies before war ends

4. Vo Nguyen Giap “Giap” or General Giap Former History Teacher Military leader of the Vietminh Defeated French at Dien Bien Phu Leader of NVA during war

5. Pham Van Dong Close comrade of Ho Chi Minh Helped found the Vietminh Leader of North Vietnam during the war Prime minister of the unified Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1976

6. Ngo Din Diem Known as Diem Ruler of South Vietnam 1954 to 1963 Ruled autocratically with family members Devout Catholic Disliked by Bhuddists Killed in Coup 1963

7. THE AMERICANS

8. Dwight D. Eisenhower US president 1953 – 1960 Refused to commit troops to help French Authorized Aid Supporter of Diem

9. John F. Kennedy JFK Started sending Advisors to Vietnam Supported Diem at start Tried to find alternative Assassinated 3 weeks after Diem

10. Lyndon Johnson LBJ Firm believer in Domino Theory Did not want to appear soft on Communism Sent in 1 st combat troops Forced out of 1968 pres race by war

11. Richard Nixon “Tricky Dick” Republican Conservative Anti – Communist Vows to end war Visits China and Moscow as part of Push for “détente”

12. The Underlings Robert McNamara Secretary of Defense for Kennedy and Johnson Strong supporter of intervention Henry Kissinger Nixon’s Secretary of State Negotiated treaty to end the war

13. THE COMMUNISTS

14. Nikita Khrushchev Leader of the Soviet Union Vows to help all wars of liberation Ousted as leader in 1964

15. Mao Zedong Leader of China Takes Ho in to train his men at the end of WW2 Backs Ho with arms and money Meets with Nixon in 1972