6. The Vietnam War Begins
EQ: What was the progression of events that led to the U.S. becoming involved in Vietnam?

7. Background to the War
France controlled Indochina since the late 19th century
Japan took control during World War II
Ho Chi Minh founds Vietminh political group
Vietnam declares independence once Japan is defeated
With U.S. aid, France attempts re-colonization after WWII
Ho Chi Minh had been fighting for Vietnamese independence since World War I.
The U.S. gave France aid to win its support in American anticommunist efforts in Western Europe.

8. First Indochina War
Belief in domino theory leads to U.S. sending arms, ammunition, supplies and $ to French
The French surrendered to Vietminh in 1954 at Dien Bien Phu
President Eisenhower declined to aid French w/ additional soldiers
Ho Chi Minh had been fighting for Vietnamese independence since World War I.
The U.S. gave France aid to win its support in American anticommunist efforts in Western Europe.

9. Vietnam Temporarily Split
International Conference at Geneva 1954
Geneva Accords: Vietnam divided at 17th parallel
Ho Chi Minh’s nationalist forces controlled the North
Ngo Dinh Diem, Roman Catholic claimed control of the South
Reunification elections to be held in 1956
Realizing he would Diem backs out of elections.

10. Ngo Dinh Diem’s Troubled Leadership
Diem backed out of the elections
Repressive dictatorial rule by Diem
Election corruption
Family holds power
Persecution of Buddhists
Favoritism of wealthy landowners
Torture and imprisonment of political opponents
National Liberation Front founded – Vietcong: rebel soldiers
Realizing he would lose, Diem backed out of elections.

11. Early Protests of Diem’s Government
Self-Emolation by a Buddhist Monk

13. U.S. Military Involvement Begins
Kennedy elected 1960
Increases military “advisors” to 9,000 by 1962
1963: JFK supports a South Vietnamese military coup d’etat – Diem and his brother are murdered
Kennedy was assassinated 3 weeks later
Kennedy’s advisors were clearly fighting a covert war by 1963.
MacNamara has suggested that he believes Kennedy would have pulled the U.S. out, but evidence in inconclusive.
JFK realizes Diem is a liability; offers quiet support to a Vietnamese military coup d’etat.
The coup results in the brutal murders of Diem and his brother
The Vietnamese generals overthrow one another. A relatively stable, but tyrannical government emerges. It is little better than Diem’s.

14. Johnson Inherits the Vietnam Problem
During his presidential campaign: “We are not about to send American boys nine or ten thousand miles away from home to do what Asian boys ought to be doing for themselves.”
As the war escalates: “I’m not going to be the president who saw Southeast Asia go the way China went.”
What Johnson told Congress
What he didn’t tell Congress:
He had already written the resolution before the “incident.”
The U.S. naval vessels were aiding ARVN in commando raids in North Vietnam at the time.
He learned that the attack probably hadn’t occurred.
The U.S. navy was not on the “high seas” but in N. Vietnam’s 12 mile territorial limit.

15. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Johnson approves covert attacks on radar stations along Northern Coast
North fires torpedoes and machine guns at U.S. destroyer
Second attack?
Tonkin Gulf Resolution passed by Congress (The Blank Check)
What Johnson told Congress
What he didn’t tell Congress:
He had already written the resolution before the “incident.”
The U.S. naval vessels were aiding ARVN in commando raids in North Vietnam at the time.
He learned that the attack probably hadn’t occurred.
The U.S. navy was not on the “high seas” but in N. Vietnam’s 12 mile territorial limit.

16. Essential Questions: What is Vietnam’s colonial history?
What compromises were made at the Geneva conference?
Why was President Diem so unpopular?
How does President Kennedy and Johnson increase U.S. involvement in Vietnam?