The United States Gets involved in Vietnam Chapter 51

Viet Minh Were from North Vietnam and were members of a movement that supported independence from France.

First Indochina War Began when the French bombed the port of Haiphong in 1946 and the Viet Minh attacked French forces.

Geneva Accords Were an agreement to divide Vietnam along the 17th parallel until elections could be held to unify the nation.

Viet Cong Were those opposed to President Diem in the South who joined with the Viet Minh to overthrow the government.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Was a resolution in Congress that gave president Johnson permission to use all “necessary measures” to repel any forces that attacked the U. S. in Vietnam.

1 Some Americans saw the first French Indochina War as a conflict between nationalists and a European colonial power, a struggle for Vietnamese Independence. Others saw the conflict as a part of the Cold War, a struggle against the spread of Communism. The latter view prevailed.

2 President Truman millions in military aid to French Indochina as part of Containment necessary to combat the spread of Communism in Asia. President Eisenhower placed an Anti Communist leader in South Vietnam and sent military advisors. It was believed if Vietnam fell then countries in Asia would fall like Dominoes. President Kennedy increased American presence in Vietnam with more weapons money and advisors. Vietnam was the cornerstone of an anti communist policy.

3 President Johnson did not want to lose Vietnam to Communism. He believed in a limited war to secure South Vietnam’s independence.

4 First, the Domino Theory: If Vietnam fell to the Communists, other Southeast Asian nations would follow. Second, past experience showed that appeasement did not work; the aggressors always wanted more. Third, U. S. credibility; the United States had to make clear to both allies and communist opponents that the nations military could be counted on to meet communist challengers.

5 First, this war would prove more difficult and deadly than expected, and it would take money away from social programs at home. Second, the war was not really about American interests. Third, U. S. involvement in Vietnam might provoke a major war with china or the Soviet Union.

6 From the beginning of 1965 through the end of that year, President Johnson increased American strength in Vietnam from 3500 combat to troops to a total of 184,000. He also increased bombing runs. By the end of the year the United States had taken over all responsibility for the war.