VIETNAM WAR

Objective 1- Explain the causes of the Vietnam War and the reasons for American involvement.

THE DRAFT THE DRAFT

DRAFT NUMBERS 1.Each student will be given a draft number all classes 2.I will randomly choose numbers out of my Vietnam draft box the amount will escalate as the Unit(War) goes on 3.If your number is called come up and write your name on the board.

WHO WAS LEADING THE US DURING VIETNAM WAR? Dwight Eisenhower ( )) John F. Kennedy ( ) Lyndon Johnson (1963 – 1969) Richard Nixon ( ) Gerald Ford (1974 – 1977)

THE SHORT STORY… Vietnam War length- 10 years Vietnam War length- 10 years War started bc- Vietnamese revolution for freedom War started bc- Vietnamese revolution for freedom Who fought- Modern military technology (US) vs. Organized Human beings (Vietnam) Who fought- Modern military technology (US) vs. Organized Human beings (Vietnam) “War of Attrition”- body count will be the measure of success “War of Attrition”- body count will be the measure of success Who won- Human Beings Who won- Human Beings US reaction to war- largest anti-war movement the US had ever seen. US reaction to war- largest anti-war movement the US had ever seen. History Channel- US Soldiers in Vietnam History Channel- US Soldiers in Vietnam History Channel- US Soldiers in Vietnam History Channel- US Soldiers in Vietnam

VIETNAM BASICS: Location: Location: Southeast Asia Southeast Asia Population Characteristics Population Characteristics 83 Million people 83 Million people Mostly Buddhist Mostly Buddhist Strong minority of Catholics Strong minority of Catholics Resources Resources Very fertile Very fertile Hot, wet and humid climate Hot, wet and humid climate Rich in natural resources Rich in natural resources

THE LONG STORY… Imperialism: Imperialism: a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force France colonizes and controlled Southeast Asia Named “French Indochina” France used area’s valuable natural resources Result- Revolutionary group forms and begin organizing revolt again the French for many years Result- Revolutionary group forms and begin organizing revolt again the French for many years “Vietminh”- Vietnamese word for independence “Vietminh”- Vietnamese word for independence North Vietnam group fighting for independence North Vietnam group fighting for independence Led by Ho Chi Minh Led by Ho Chi Minh creator Indochinese Communist Party, leader, goal was independence creator Indochinese Communist Party, leader, goal was independence

VIETNAM WANTS INDEPENDENCE During WWII- Japan takes over Vietnam During WWII- Japan takes over Vietnam Japan loses WWII- Japan loses WWII- Ho Chi Minh declares independence Ho Chi Minh declares independence Seeking US support (p. 566) Seeking US support (p. 566) “All men are created equal…” “All men are created equal…” “they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rigths “they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rigths …life, liberty, pursuit of happiness” …life, liberty, pursuit of happiness” France wants Vietnam back France wants Vietnam back Killing people who are standing in their way Killing people who are standing in their way France and Vietnam fight in First Indochina War France and Vietnam fight in First Indochina War 8 years long 8 years long Will the US support Communist Leader or France? Will the US support Communist Leader or France?

UNITED STATES SIDES WITH FRANCE- “CONTAINMENT POLICY” China had already “fallen to communism” China had already “fallen to communism” If we don’t stop Communism now, whole world will fall If we don’t stop Communism now, whole world will fall US gives France money to support US gives France money to support $1 Billion dollars- 80% of total cost $1 Billion dollars- 80% of total cost 1954: French are defeated at Dien Bien Phu 1954: French are defeated at Dien Bien Phu surrender to Ho Chi Minh surrender to Ho Chi Minh What will Eisenhower do? What will Eisenhower do? At last, we are finally free of those pesky foreigners!!!

SPLITTING VIETNAM Rising communist support in Vietnam leads U.S. President Eisenhower to describe the situation as the “domino theory”: the fall of one country to communism will lead to fall of its neighbors Rising communist support in Vietnam leads U.S. President Eisenhower to describe the situation as the “domino theory”: the fall of one country to communism will lead to fall of its neighbors After surrender, in 1954, countries came together to work out peace agreement After surrender, in 1954, countries came together to work out peace agreement Geneva Accords: temporarily divided Vietnam along 17 th parallel Geneva Accords: temporarily divided Vietnam along 17 th parallel North Vietnam: Led by Ho Chi Minh’s communist forces & supported by the USSR and China North Vietnam: Led by Ho Chi Minh’s communist forces & supported by the USSR and China South Vietnam: Led by anti-communist gov’t under rule of Ngo Dinh Diem & supported by U.S. and France South Vietnam: Led by anti-communist gov’t under rule of Ngo Dinh Diem & supported by U.S. and France *Both sides agreed to let the people decide in the 1956 “unification election” *Communism or Democratic?

CONFLICT BETWEEN NORTH & SOUTH Ngo Din Diem Corrupt Refused unification Restricted Buddhist practices Creates army to take land from peasants Vietcong (VC) Leading attacks S. Vietnam group Goals: overthrow Diem & unify country Assassinating thousands of government officials Guerilla Warfare Supported by Ho Chi Minh Ho Chi Minh Trail- secret supplies down border Revolting against Ngo Din Diem

DIEM’S RESPONSE Increased raid of Buddhist pagodas claiming they were harboring Communists Increased raid of Buddhist pagodas claiming they were harboring Communists RESULT: Massive protests on the streets of Saigon including the self immolation of many Buddhist monks RESULT: Massive protests on the streets of Saigon including the self immolation of many Buddhist monks Why would these Buddhist monks perform such an act? The pictures of the monks engulfed in flames made world headlines, bringing attention to the corrupt government of Ngo Dinh Diem

A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP Cause: Diem unpopular, corrupt, dictator, decides not to hold elections promised Cause: Diem unpopular, corrupt, dictator, decides not to hold elections promised Result: 1963, U.S. backs coup to overthrow Diem. He is assassinated. Result: 1963, U.S. backs coup to overthrow Diem. He is assassinated. Later that month, President Kennedy is also assassinated = Johnson becomes President Later that month, President Kennedy is also assassinated = Johnson becomes President

PRESIDENT JOHNSON EXPANDS THE CONFLICT South Vietnam in chaos after assassination of Diem South Vietnam in chaos after assassination of Diem Vietcong influence increases Vietcong influence increases Johnson not wanting to seem “soft” on communism sends in increased # of military advisors Johnson not wanting to seem “soft” on communism sends in increased # of military advisors How “involved” should the United States get? How “involved” should the United States get?

CAUSES OF VIETNAM WAR Why conflict began: Why conflict began: Vietnam wanted independence from France Vietnam wanted independence from France Why the US got involved: Why the US got involved: Vietnam wanted to be Communism Vietnam wanted to be Communism Stop the spread of Communism in Asia Stop the spread of Communism in Asia