Why did the USA become involved with Vietnam

Domino Theory

Beginnings Of War French Withdrawal China and the Soviet Union recognized the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, based in Hanoi, as the legitimate government of Vietnam. United States and Great Britain recognized the French-backed State of Vietnam in Saigon

Early involvement in Vietnam After the fall of China to Communism in 1949 and Korea shortly after America believed that Vietnam was next.

Early involvement in Vietnam After the fall of China to Communism in 1949 and Korea shortly after America believed that Vietnam was next. The USA backed the anti communist government in south Vietnam – Provided them with training, funding, and leadership

Early involvement in Vietnam The USA backed the anti communist government in south Vietnam – Provided them with training, funding, and leadership The South Vietnamese were fighting with the Vietcong – ( Communist group in south Vietnam) Vietcong were backed by North Vietnamese soon full scale war broke out

President Eisenhower Five star general who was commander of allied troops in Europe in WW2 Was 34 TH President

Vietnam Involvement under President Eisenhower Viewed Vietnam as a crucial part of his Domino Theory Did not commit to full scale war because congress was facing budget cuts of 5 billion and US could not get support form Great Great Britain

Vietnam Involvement under President Eisenhower Did not commit to full scale war because congress was facing budget cuts of 5 billion and US could not get support form Great Great Britain US provided the French with Air Support – Also sent 900 military advisors to aide South Vietnamese army – Financed nearly 80% of the war effort

President Kennedy (JFK) 35 th President Second youngest president ever at age 43 made the pledge in his inauguration "pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and success of liberty”

US Involvement in Vietnam under President Kennedy Kennedy financed the South Vietnamese Army the funds to increase its army by 20,000 – Sent air support and 12,000 military advisors ; but soldiers were told not to engage in combat Arranged the Strategic Hamlet Program – Program was designed to prevent influence of Vietcong on Vietnamese peasants Peasants were moved to Villages controlled by south Vietnamese Army

US Involvement in Vietnam under President Kennedy Arranged the Strategic Hamlet Program – Program was designed to prevent influence of Vietcong on Vietnamese peasants Peasants were moved to Villages controlled by south Vietnamese Army Program Failed for a number of reasons – Villagers did not want to move – Religious reasons – Most villages had a large Vietcong Presence

Thich Quang Due A monk who Protested South Vietnamese relocation by setting him self of fire Soon after his death thousands of monks were arrested

President Johnson (LBJ) 36 th President Became President after the assignation of JFK – bigger supporter of the war in Veitnam – Once in office he told his secretary of war to begin plans for war

Vietnam Under President Johnson (The Gulf of Tonkin Incident) The Gulf of Tonkin Incident was a confrontation in August 1964, in which two American warships were attacked by North Vietnamese gunboats – First warfare between US and Vietnamese

Vietnam Under President Johnson (The Gulf of Tonkin Incident) The Gulf of Tonkin Incident was the first warfare between US and Vietnamese occurred in august 1964 Soon after incident Senate gave Johnson power to give south armed support – In February 1965 US began bombing North Vietnam – By December ,000 American Soldiers are stationed in the country

Vietnam Under President Johnson (The Gulf of Tonkin Incident) – In February 1965 US began bombing North Vietnam – By December ,000 American Soldiers are stationed in the country In order to increase the size of the Army he instituted a policy of conscription “ The Draft” – Draft was unpopular with Americans

The Tet Offensive Tet – The most important holiday in all of Vietnamese culture. Marks the beginning of Spring US and Vietnamese had agreed on a cease fire for the duration of the holiday

The Tet Offensive US and Vietnamese had agreed on a cease fire for the duration of the holiday Vietnamese used the cease fire as a means for a sneak attack. – 543 Americans killed and 2,547 are wounded in the two day strike

The Tet Offensive Vietnamese used the cease fire as a means for a sneak attack. – 543 Americans killed and 2,547 are wounded in the two day strike After the Strike Americans approval of the war and President Johnson plummeted.

President Nixon 37 th President of the United States Took office after LBJ decided not to run for office in 1968 His election marked the beginning of the withdrawal of troops in Vietnam

Vietnam and President Nixon Once elected he wanted to find “ peace with honor” Pursued a policy of Vietnamisation – Supporting south Vietnamese with money and supplies From American troops in Veitnam decreased from 350,000 to 40,000

Vietnam and President Nixon From American troops in Veitnam decreased from 350,000 to 40,000 Peace treaty was signed in Paris in 1973

Why America Failed in Vietnam North Vietnamese had better tactics – While America out manned and out gunned the North Vietnamese they were not prepared to fight a Guerilla style war. Guerilla War Fare- Surprise attacks at irregular times North Vietnamese won the hearts and minds of the people – Vietnamese citizens would not support the Americans

Vietnam in total 58,303 Americans were killed 220,357 –313,000 South Vietnamese were killed 400,000 –1,100,000 North Vietnamese and Vietcong Killed