1. Vietnam War Pgs. 379-381 Many people thought the war was unnecessary and wrong.

2. Vietnam after WWII Like Korea, Vietnam was divided into two countries after WWII. Like Korea, Vietnam was divided into two countries after WWII. North Vietnam – CommunistNorth Vietnam – Communist South Vietnam - RepublicSouth Vietnam - Republic

3. Vietcong In the late 1950s Vietnamese communists, called the Vietcong, tried to take over the South Vietnamese government. In the late 1950s Vietnamese communists, called the Vietcong, tried to take over the South Vietnamese government. Between 1956-1962 the United States sent money, war supplies, and soldiers to help South Vietnam fight the Vietcong. Between 1956-1962 the United States sent money, war supplies, and soldiers to help South Vietnam fight the Vietcong. Why? Why?

4. President Johnson - 1963 By the time Lyndon Johnson became President, the Vietcong were winning the war against South Vietnam. By the time Lyndon Johnson became President, the Vietcong were winning the war against South Vietnam. In August 1964, it was reported that a North Vietnamese gunboat had attacked a U.S. Navy ship near Vietnam. In August 1964, it was reported that a North Vietnamese gunboat had attacked a U.S. Navy ship near Vietnam. President Johnson sent more soldiers to South Vietnam to prevent another attack. President Johnson sent more soldiers to South Vietnam to prevent another attack.

5. Losing the War ? After sending extra troops, the U.S. and the South Vietnamese troops failed to defeat the Vietcong quickly. After sending extra troops, the U.S. and the South Vietnamese troops failed to defeat the Vietcong quickly. The United States decided to send planes to bomb North Vietnam. The United States decided to send planes to bomb North Vietnam. President Johnson hoped the bombing would stop the flow of supplies from North Vietnam to the Vietcong. President Johnson hoped the bombing would stop the flow of supplies from North Vietnam to the Vietcong.

6. Military Build-Up By 1968 more than 500,000 United States Soldiers were in Vietnam. By 1968 more than 500,000 United States Soldiers were in Vietnam.

7. The Cost of War The Vietnam War was costing the United States billions of dollars each year. The Vietnam War was costing the United States billions of dollars each year. To pay for the Vietnam War, the government had to borrow a lot of money. To pay for the Vietnam War, the government had to borrow a lot of money. This borrowing led to inflation – a time when more and more money is needed to buy the same goods and services. This borrowing led to inflation – a time when more and more money is needed to buy the same goods and services. As a result the economy began to suffer. As a result the economy began to suffer.