By: Matt Drohan

Brief History  Vietnam is located in the eastern and southern part of the Indochinese peninsula.  It is known presently as one of the few remaining Communist states.  France unified Vietnam in  It stayed this way until Japan took over military bases in 1940, and France kept the rest of Vietnam until  At this point, the independence movement started, which we will begin to go over.

Ho Chi Minh  Ho Chi Minh was a young nationalist who went to Versailles and demanded independence from France.  Became the leader of the rebel nationalist group called the Viet Minh.  They believed in Communism, and were backed by the Soviet Union and China, who provide arms and supplies.

The Viet Minh  After the French withdrew, the Geneva agreement split up Vietnam into two halves.  Ho and his forces occupied North Vietnam, and a non-communist government occupied South Vietnam, headed by Ngo Dinh Diem.

South Vietnam  Headed by Diem, who was heavily opposed, especially by southern communists who formed the Viet Cong.  Diem lost support because he failed to set up reform and end corruption; this led to protests  Diem responded harshly, ultimately leading to his assassination in ‘63.

The US Gets Involved  The US sent over nine thousand troops as the Viet Cong continued to grow.  Ho sent troops to help the Viet Cong.  US passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which allows Lyndon Johnson to “take all necessary steps including the use of force” to help South Vietnam.

Lasting Effects  Laos and Cambodia, Vietnam’s neighbors, also got involved involuntarily  People still feel the effects of the war, with destroyed villages, bridges, and roads.  Many fled the harsh communist regime; Thailand, Hong Kong, and others allowed refugees to seek refuge.  Hundreds of thousands still live in camps, and are afraid to return home.