1. 19.1 Going to War in Vietnam

2. Lesson Objectives 1. The students will be able to discuss what started the conflict in Vietnam. 2. The students will be able to explain why America became involved in Vietnam. 3. The students will be able to explain why napalm/Agent Orange was used and it's effects.

3. A. Vietnam 1. History of being controlled. a. France from 1800s to WWII b. Japan during WWII c. Back to France i. Cambodia and Laos (Indochina)

4. B. Vietnamese Nationalism 1. Ho Chi Minh a. Leader of nationalist movement b. Wanted Vietnam's independence c. Indochinese Communist Party i. Overthrow French

5. 2. Vietminh a. Nationalist group i. United communists and non-communist ii. Expel Japan b. US sends aid to help Vietminh

6. C. America aids France 1. Japan surrenders, 1945 2. Ho Chi Minh declares Vietnam independent a. French troops invade, want US help 3. Two reasons to help: a. China's fall to communism b. Korean War

7. 4. Domino Theory a. Policy created by Eisenhower. b. If Vietnam fell to communism others would follow.

8. D. Defeat at Dien Bien Phu 1. Vietminh use guerrilla tactics a. Blend in with civilians 2. Vietminh bombard French troops 3. French forces leave May 7th, 1954.

9. E. Geneva Accords 1. Vietnam divided at 17 th parallel line. 2. Ho Chi Minh, leader of North Vietnam 3. Ngo Dinh Diem, leader of South Vietnam a. Refused elections

11. F. American Involvement 1. Ho Chi Minh wanted to reunite country a. Created Vietcong i. Used terror tactics 2. South Vietnamese trained by US advisors 3. Diem looked to US for help

12. G.Kennedy & Vietnam 1. Had to appear tough on communism 2. Want Diem to create democratic government 3. Strategic hamlets a. Villages protected by guns, barbed wire, & trenches

13. H. Overthrow of Diem 1. Discriminated against Buddhists a. Protests b. Demonstrations 2. Vietnamese generals want to overthrow Diem 3. Government grew weaker/unstable

16. I. Johnson & Vietnam 1.Used caution a. No expansion of war, but no communism. 2. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, 1964. a. President could use any means necessary.

17. 3. U.S. Troops in Vietnam a. Attack on Pleiku i. US retaliates b. Americans support troops in Vietnam c. March 1965 i. First combat troops

18. K. A Bloody Stalemate 1. 180,000 American combat troops, 1965 2. Vietcong used ambush tactics a. Lack of fire power b. Blend w/ civilians

19. L. “Search and Destroy” 1. Find enemies and bomb them 2. Vietcong hid in jungles or tunnels

21. 3. Destroying Landscapes a. Napalm b. Agent Orange i. Used to destroy plants in jungle ii. Caused medical problems

23. M. Ho Chi Minh Trail 1. Jungle path 2. Used to move supplies a. North to South 3. China & Soviets gave supplies 4. Americans begin to grow unhappy w/ war