Moving Toward Conflict Chapter 22 Section 1

French in Vietnam 1800’s – WWII France controlled Indochina (Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam) –Experienced unrest by population; react harshly Begin to organize under Ho Chi Minh –Creates Indochina Communist Party Ho forms Vietminh- goal to get Vietnam out from foreign rule –When Japan is defeated by Allies, it looks possible

Maps

French begin to fight Japan is out; French back in –Ho Chi Minh vows to fight for liberation U.S. gets involved –Truman sends $15 million to aid French –Eisenhower continues policy- stop Communism Domino theory- if one country falls, they will all topple like dominos

Domino Theory

Drive out the French French can’t win; Vietminh take Dien Bien Phu- French outpost in NW Vietnam Peace agreement talked about in Geneva, Switzerland –Geneva Accords divided Vietnam at 17 th parallel –Communists under Ho in North w/ Hanoi –Nationalists in South w/ Saigon

Canceling Election Election in 1956 to unite country decided –Ho a Communist is popular in N. Vietnam –Ngo Dinh Diem in S. Vietnam afraid of election U.S. supports canceling election, sends aid to Diem –Diem corrupt, Catholicism causes problems with Buddhists

Opposition Many revolt against Diem’s regime Communists in the South- Vietcong begin attacking govt. officials –Later called National Liberation Front (NLF) Get support from Ho Chi Minh- begins sending weapons along the border –Ho Chi Minh Trail becomes link to North –Eisenhower does little to stop tactics

Ho Chi Minh Trail Trip along trail takes about a month –Moves supplies & men from north to south By late 60’s- trucks could travel Underground depots supplied fuel, weapons, supplies

Kennedy & Vietnam Kennedy increases financial aid, and sends thousands of military advisers to train S. Vietnamese troops –16,000 by end of 1963 Diem’s corruption increasing –Moves villagers, attacks Buddhists killing hundreds Monks protest, U.S. responds Kennedy supports coup; Diem’s regime is toppled, Diem is assassinated

Protests

Johnson’s takes powers Kennedy wanted to withdraw; Johnson escalates Can’t find a stable leader for S. Vietnam; Vietcong becoming stronger USS Maddox on patron in the Gulf of Tonkin report being fired on by N. Vietnamese patrols Johnson orders retaliation, asks Congress for the power –Tonkin Gulf Resolution gives Johnson “all necessary measure”- expands presidential powers

Johnson escalates Johnson doesn’t tell Congress or public- U.S. has secretly been raiding N. Vietnam Feb. 1965, Johnson uses his powers to unleash “Operation Rolling Thunder”- bombing raids on N. Vietnam Begins sending troops in March; by June 50,000 U.S. soldiers are fighting Vietcong

Operation Rolling Thunder