1. Chapter 22: The Vietnam War Years
Section 1: Moving Toward Coflict
Pages:

2. America Supports France in Vietnam
America’s involvement in Vietnam began in the 1950s
USA Give French Massive economic and Military aid to fight communism

3. French Indochina War
France’s attempt to reestablish rule in Vietnam after World War II
From late 1800s until World War II France ruled most of Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia)

4. Ho Chi Minh
Helped create Indochinese Communist Party
Won Popular in North Vietnam support by breaking up large estates and redistributing land to the peasants

5. VIETMINH Japanese took control of Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh helped create the Vietminh
Goal was to win Vietnam’s independence from foreign rule
1945 Vietnam independent nation

6. France Battles the Vietminh
In 1945 France controls south Vietnam
President Truman pumps money into France’s war
Ho Chi Minh one time ally of ours

7. President Eisenhower
Domino Theory – countries on the brink of communism were waiting to fall one after the other

8. France Battles the Vietminh
At the battle of DIEN BIEN PHU – France now surrenders to the Vietminh

9. GENEVA ACCORDS Geneva, Switzerland
Temporarily divided Vietnam along the 17th Parallel
North Vietnam = Ho Chi Minh and Communism
South Vietnam = anticommunists

10. The United States Steps In

11. Ngo Dinh Diem South Vietnam’s President Anticommunist
Country wide election between Ngo Dinh Diem and Ho Chi Minh cancelled because Americans fear Ho Chi Minh would win

12. Ngo Dinh Diem Corrupt government
Little or no land distribution to peasants
He was Catholic
Restricted Buddhist practices
Results in formation of Vietcong

13. VIETCONG Communist group in South Vietnam Fought Diem Government
Later called NLF – NATIONAL LIBERATION FRONT
Ho Chi Minh supports the Vietcong

14. Ho Chi Minh Trail
Path along borders of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia to supply arms to Vietcong

15. KENNEDY & VIETNAM
In response to accusations that the Democrats were soft on Communism…… HE
Increased financial aid to Diem
Sent thousands of military advisors to help train south Vietnamese troops