1. THE VIETNAM
WAR

2. When November 1955 – April 1975 (The US sent its first troops in 1965)
SEVEN different U.S. presidents were involved in war decisions

3. Background Vietnam had been a French colony
Ho Chi Minh fought against the French for Independence; Communist party backed him so he turned Communist
The Geneva Accords split Vietnam into North and South

4. The Split
The Geneva Accords split Vietnam into North and South along the 17th parallel

5. The North
Ho Chi Minh lead the North (Communists) and was supported by the Soviet Union; he wanted the whole country to be unified, but as Communists

6. The South
The South became “The Republic of Vietnam” and was aided by the Americans and lead by Ngo Dinh Diem
Diem wanted the South to remain independent

7. Diem in the South
He felt that the North (Communists) were attacking him, so with the Americans, he fought back
Many people – especially Buddhist monks – disagreed with his plans
Buddhist monks held demonstrations in protest by setting themselves on fire

8. Division of sides during Vietnam War
North Vietnam lead by Ho Chi Minh (Communists)
Division of sides during Vietnam War
South Vietnam lead by Dinh (supported by Americans)

9. South Vietnamese who actually supported/fought for the North
Viet Cong (“VC”)
South Vietnamese who actually supported/fought for the North

10. Americans = Scared
Pres. Truman (and the following presidents) were scared that Communism would spread around the world, so he decided we would help South Vietnam fight North Vietnam

11. The Domino Theory
This theory stated, “If South Vietnam falls to the Communist, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, India and Pakistan would also fall like dominos. The Pacific Islands and even Australia could be at risk” (Eisenhower)
(How strong is this theory? Would this have happened?)

12. America Enters the War
In 1965, the U.S. sent ground troops to South Vietnam and began bombing North Vietnam in “Operation Rolling Thunder”

13. Some facts about the war…
Longest war in American history
More than 58,000 Americans were killed
300,000 wounded
14,000 disabled

14. The “Living Room War”
People could watch combat footage on the nightly news – this was the first war in which television played a major role
(How do you think this affected American reaction to the war, vs previous wars?)

15. American Soldiers Average age of a soldier : 19
Many soldiers were DRAFTED (more on that later)

16. RESISTANCE Many Americans were opposed to the war
After a while, more and more Americans realized the war had very little to do with Americans and we should not be fighting it

17. Exit Slip: Writing Thesis Statements
Imagine you’ve just been given the assignment to write an essay based on the following prompt: How much involvement should America have had in the Vietnam War? Write a thesis statement that correctly conveys your overall point.