1. The Vietnam War
SS7H3.E - Explain the reasons for foreign involvement in Korea and Vietnam in terms of containment of Communism.
Bell-Ringer – Do you believe containment worked in Korea? Explain your reasoning.

2. North Vietnam and South Vietnam

3. Important Vocabulary
Indochina – 1900s French-owned countries of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
Demilitarized Zone – Boundary between two countries where there is no military people or activities.
Civil War – Fighting between 2 groups/areas in the same country.
Guerilla – Do not use traditional fighting tactics; use hit-and-run.
Ho Chi Minh Trail – System of paths through jungles and mountains that connected North Vietnam to South Vietnam through Laos and Cambodia.
Vietnamization – Policy of turning over control of war to South Vietnam as American troops withdrew from Vietnam.

4. Important People and Groups
Ho Chi Minh – Nationalist/Communist leader of North Vietnam.
Viet Minh – Ho Chi Minh’s nationalist/Communist army.
President Ngo Dinh Diem – Leader of “democractic” South Vietnam.
President Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, & Richard Nixon – The 4 American presidents in office during the Vietnam War.
Viet Cong – Communist guerillas based in South Vietnam.

5. Important Events
Gulf of Tonkin Incident (1964) – Began major escalation of war when U.S. navy ships were said to be attacked by the North Vietnamese.
Tet Offensive (1968) – Phase of attacks by North Vietnam against South Vietnamese and U.S. troops which weakened American support for the war.
Paris Peace Accords (1973) – Peace is declared and last U.S. troops leave Vietnam.

6. Vietnam Music Anti-War – Johnny Cash – “Vietnam Talkin’ Blues”
Pro-War – SSGT Barry Sadler – “Ballad of the Green Berets”

7. Work Session 1.) Read the article titled “The Vietnam War”
2.) Create a timeline with all important dates and an explanation of what happened (make sure dates are in order).
3.) Answer these questions (The better your response, the better your grade):
1.) Why do you believe the US got involved in the Vietnam War?
2.) Do you feel that the US should have been involved in the Vietnam War? Explain your response.
3.) Do you feel that containment worked in Vietnam? Explain your response.

8. Closing
Thinking about China, Korea, and Vietnam. Do you believe that containment of Communism worked or did not work?