1. The US focuses on Vietnam Ch. 30 section 1

2. Early American involvement The Growth of Vietnamese Nationalism – Vietnam ruled by France. Official name: French Indochina (also includes Laos & Cambodia) – Vietnamese leader of nationalist movement: Ho Chi Minh – In 1930, he is a founder of the Indochinese Communist Party & worked to overthrow French rule.

4. When Japan takes over Vietnam in 1941 during WWII, Ho Chi Minh organizes the Vietminh, which is supported by Allies (incl. USA)

5. French Rule When Allies win WWII, Vietnam reverts back to French control Vietminh & other nationalists want independence for Vietnam Fighting b/w French & Vietminh (1945)

6. US involvement The United States is conflicted: – US does not think France should control Vietnam – BUT— – US does not want Vietnam to be Communist either

7. US involvement c’ued Two events make US support France: China becomes Communist Korean War (US is convinced that the Soviets are trying to make SE Asia Communist)

8. Domino Theory- the belief that if one nation falls to Communism, neighboring countries will follow By 1954, the US is paying ¾ France’s war costs

9. Vietminh drive out the French Vietminh use guerilla warfare-surprise attacks & sabotage instead of open warfare Battle of the tiger v. the elephant "It is the fight between tiger and elephant. If the tiger stands his ground, the elephant will crush him with its mass. But, if he conserves his mobility, he will finally vanquish the elephant, who bleeds from a multitude of cuts.“ ~Ho Chi Minh

10. Dien Bien Phu Turning point in war b/w France & Vietminh May 7, 1954—the Vietminh defeat France in battle of Dien Bien Phu Fr. withdraws from Vietnam-end of colonialism

12. Geneva Conference 1954 USSR, USA, France, UK, China, Korea and Vietnamese delegates discuss future of Indochina

13. Geneva Accords Geneva Accords temporarily divide Vietnam along the 17 th parallel: Ho Chi Minh & the Vietminh controls North Vietnam Democratic government controls South Vietnam

15. US becomes more involved Ngo Dinh Diem becomes leader of South Vietnam and is pro-Democracy anti- Communist United States immediately steps in and increases military & economic aid to S. Vietnam Vietnam heading for a civil war

17. Questions on your test from this section Why was the Vietminh initially formed? What 2 events convince Truman to help France in Vietnam? What is a result of the battle at Dien Bien Phu? What is the domino theory? The Geneva Accords gave control of N. Vietnam to whom? When France left Vietnam, why did US step in?