1. Learning Target: I can explain why the United States got involved in the Vietnam War
Literacy Target: To develop and support a thesis with accurately cited supporting evidence
Opener: What do you know about the Vietnam War? After watching this clip what are your thoughts now

2. France Rules Indochina in Southeast Asia
France began to control areas in Indochina in the 1800’s
After World War II the Vietnamese were victims of colonization
Some Vietnamese, led by Ho Chi Minh, wanted Vietnamese independence
The Soviet Union backed Ho Chi Minh because he was a communist

3. The French Battle Nationalism and Communism
After World War II France was losing control over Vietnam because people didn’t want colonialism worldwide
US needed to decide if they wanted to back their ally France OR
If they wanted to support Vietnam independence
US decided to help France and donated $2.6 billion to France’s war efforts in Vietnam

4. The Domino Theory and Dien Bien Phu
Dwight D. Eisenhower said the fight in Vietnam was more than just a fight for one country
Domino Theory- If Vietnam fell to communist, its closet neighbors would follow
In 1954, after suffering 15,000 deaths the French lost and pulled their troops out of Vietnam

5. The United States Aids South Vietnam
Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO)
In 1954, the US and seven other countries formed this organization to stop the spread of communism
South Vietnam was led by Ngo Dinh Diem
When it was time for elections Diem refused to participate because he would have lost
The US supported his decision

6. Communist Opposition Grows
National Liberation Front (NLF) was created to bring down the government and unite Vietnam under communist rule
Vietcong
Assassinated government officials, destroyed road and bridges and tried to weaken Diem’s government
Diem was an unpopular ruler and only the United States supported him

7. Kennedy Sends U.S. Troops to Vietnam
In 1961 Kennedy sent forces to educate the South Vietnam on war tactics
By 1963 more than 15,000 American advisors were fighting in Vietnam
Diem was such a bad ruler that the United States said they needed a new ruler and plotted his assassination

8. North Vietnamese and U.S. Forces Clash
August 2, 1964 a Vietnamese boat fired a torpedo at an American ship
Lyndon B. Johnson said
“Aggression by terror against peaceful villages of South Vietnam has now been joined by aggression on the high seas against the United States of America”

9. Congress Gives Johnson Broad Military Powers
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Said Johnson could take action to prevent other attacks against U.S. forces
Johnson could send U.S. troops to South Vietnam to fight without asking Congress for a declaration of war
It gave Johnson a lot of military power

10. For the next 5-10 minutes
Write down if you agree or disagree with the United States being involved in the Vietnam War
A topic sentence
Evidence on why you agree or disagree
After completing these walk around the class and ask 3 people
Write down their opinions and get their signature on your flashcard

11. After talking to your classmates write down:
Topic Sentence
Evidence
Commentary
Final Thoughts

12. Closure Self Reflection
Why did the United States get involved in the Vietnam War?
Do you think they should have? And explain.
Self Reflection
Pirate Scale Learning (1-4)
Today I learned…