1. Conflict in Vietnam
THE MOST SERIOUS AND DEADLY EVENT OF THE COLD WAR TOOK PLACE IN VIETNAM, A COUNTRY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA. BY THE EARLY 1880S ALL OF VIETNAM WAS CONQUERED BY FRANCE. FRENCH LEADERS IMPOSED HEAVY TAXES AND PUT LIMITS ON POLITICAL FREEDOMS. VIETNAMESE NATIONALISTS BEGAN A STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE IN THE EARLY 1900S.

2. France and Vietnam *video
Ho Chi Minh – leading Vietnamese nationalist
Japan drove the French out of Vietnam during WWII
After the war, Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnamese independence echoing the words of the U.S. Declaration of Independence
However, French forces moved to regain control of Vietnam, leading to new fighting between France and Vietnam

3. America’s role after WWII
President Truman and Eisenhower both supported France with military aid
Concerned that if one country became Communist, nearby countries would also fall to Communism
Became known as the domino theory

4. Domino Theory *video clip
Discuss with your partner. What is the purpose of this cartoon?

5. French Defeat Battle of Dien Bien Phu *video
The Vietminh had fewer weapons and supplies than the French, but they used hit-and –run guerilla tactics to gradually weaken French forces. In 1954 the French army was trapped at Dien Bien Phu, where the French surrendered. French and Vietnamese leaders worked out a compromise to temporarily divide Vietnam into North and South Vietnam. It called for democratic elections in 1956 that would unite the two countries under one government.
French Defeat Battle of Dien Bien Phu *video

6. North and South Vietnam
North Vietnam became a Communist dictatorship led by Ho Chi Minh
South Vietnam had a Western style government led by Ngo Dinh Diem and supported by the United States
U.S. hoped Diem would win control of the country in the 1956 elections

7. The 1956 Elections Diem proved to be corrupt and ineffective leader
People in South Vietnam began to support Ho and his Communist policies
Diem refused to allow South Vietnam to participate in the elections and arrested anyone who supported Ho Chi Minh
North Vietnam started recruiting South Vietnamese who opposed Diem and created the Vietcong, a guerilla army to supply the North
The 1956 Elections

8. President Eisenhower and JFK sent aid, weapons, and military advisors to South Vietnam to aid Diem. By late 1963 about 16,000 U.S. military personnel were serving in Vietnam.
However, Diem was becoming less popular. He would not hold elections and ordered his troops to fire on Buddhist demonstrators. Some monks set themselves on fire in protest.
In 1963 both Diem and President JFK were assassinated.
South Vietnamese forces receiving guerrilla warfare training from American military advisors *clip