2. The Geneva Peace Conference: Ending the French War in Vietnam Viet Minh, France, United States, Britain, USSR, China

3. Outcomes France has lost the war and Vietnam will be an independent country France has lost the war and Vietnam will be an independent country Partition of Vietnam into North and South along 17 th parallel Partition of Vietnam into North and South along 17 th parallel Ho Chi Minhs government will continue to rule in the North Ho Chi Minhs government will continue to rule in the North French-friendly govt will rule in South as French slowly pack up and move out French-friendly govt will rule in South as French slowly pack up and move out General, democratic elections will be held in two years, July of 1956, to reunify the country into a single, sovereign state General, democratic elections will be held in two years, July of 1956, to reunify the country into a single, sovereign state

4. Vietminh United States US fearful of such a victory Refuses to sign agreement If communists win, then US loses. What? Confident of electoral victory

5. 1954 to 1963 United States supports the anti-Communist Ngo Nguyen Diem as the president of South Vietnam. US gives over $1.5 billion in aid to South Vietnam. 80% of these dollars go to the military. S. Vietnam is essentially a creation of the US US defending the independence of the South Vietnamese government.

6. S. Vietnam under Diem 1956 – elections for unification are cancelledDiem admits that HCM would win 1956 – elections for unification are cancelledDiem admits that HCM would win In South Vietnam there is a small ruling elite and MILLIONS of poor, landless peasants In South Vietnam there is a small ruling elite and MILLIONS of poor, landless peasants Diem is Catholic in a Buddhist country, and is French-educated and French-speaking. Diem is Catholic in a Buddhist country, and is French-educated and French-speaking.

7. Diem persecutes Buddhist majorityBuddhists protest. Self-immolation

8. Diem calls for an election In S.V. He wins with 98% of vote. In S.V. He wins with 98% of vote. Rigged? Rigged?

9. U.S. actions 1954-1964: Direct but Informal Military advisors Military advisors 1960:1000 1960:1000 1963:16,000 1963:16,000 1964:23,000 1964:23,000 CIA ops CIA ops Intelligence gathering Intelligence gathering 1964: $2 million/day spent in Vietnam 1964: $2 million/day spent in Vietnam

10. 1960: Creation of the National Liberation Front. Vietcong Infiltrated S. Vietnam Their goals: economic reform, unification. Vietcong assassinate 2000 government official

11. 1963 JFK: Lets drop Diem or deepen American commitment in Vietnam. JFK: Lets drop Diem or deepen American commitment in Vietnam. Went with aid and advisors: pressured for reforms. Went with aid and advisors: pressured for reforms. 1963 Oks Vietnamese generals to undertake a coup detat of Diem and his government. 1963 Oks Vietnamese generals to undertake a coup detat of Diem and his government.

12. 1964: Beginnings of Formal Direct action by US Johnson faces tough re-election Johnson faces tough re-election strong anti-Communist stand needed to win the election strong anti-Communist stand needed to win the election