1. The Vietnam War ( ) ( )

2. The First Vietnam War (1946-1954)
Since the 1860’s Vietnam had been a colony of France
Vietnam fought for independence

3. The First Vietnam War (1946-1954)
The French lost and agreed for peace
Vietnam was divided at the 17th parallel

4. Known as "Uncle Ho," he led the North Vietnam from 1945-69
Known as "Uncle Ho," he led the North Vietnam from Ho supported communism

6. Reasons for US Involvement
Vietnam has many raw materials (rice, oil and rubber)
Domino Theory - fear that if one country fell to communism, others would fall to it like “dominos”

7. Goals of American Involvement
Make the South Vietnamese Army a model of our military

10. Gulf of Tonkin
N.Vietnam gunboats attacked American warships in the Gulf of Tonkin near Vietnam
Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution giving the president the power to make war

11. Goals of American Involvement (continued)
Operation Rolling Thunder
US to Continually bomb North Vietnam

14. NVA Troops

15. Saigon during the war

16. How were troops selected to go to Vietnam?
The Selective Service System of the US used “lotteries” to determine the order of who would go to war.
Only men born between 1944 and 1950 (19-25 yrs old) were “drafted”

17. Goals of American Involvement (continued)
“Vietnamization” program
transfer combat to South Vietnamese army

18. Final Outcome
1975: North Vietnam launches final offensive crushing the south and unifying all of Vietnam under communism