1. Vietnam

2. Vietnam War

3. France –France rules Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia) Late 1800s until WWII (Japanese take-over) –Land from peasants, build large plantations Extract large portions of rice and rubber for own profit –Several revolts from Vietnamese Most revolts organized by Indochinese Communist Party Party Leader, Ho Chi Minh Vietnam History

4. Ho Chi Minh (1890-1969) Flees Vietnam in 1930 Condemned to Death by French for rebellious activity Returns to Vietnam after Japanese Takeover 1941 Communist and Nationalist groups combine to form Vietminh –Seek Vietnam’s independence from foreign rule With Japanese defeat in 1945, Ho Chi Minh declares Vietnam an independent nation

5. French troops move back into Vietnam, 1946 Drive Vietminh out of southern half Ho Chi Minh vows to liberate southern half from French control

6. Ho Chi Minh “If ever the tiger pauses, the elephant will impale him on his mighty tusks. But the tiger will not pause, and the elephant will die of exhaustion and loss of blood.” -Ho Chi Minh

7. 1950 Cold War –Communism Eastern Europe China Korea likely Vietnam –Ho Chi Minh; “Independence” –United States; “Communist aggressor” Response, $$ to France

8. 1953 –Korea ends in stalemate (North as communist) 1954 –Eisenhower and Domino Theory –Dien Bien Phu French surrender, remove troops

9. North and South Vietnam Left in Wake –North = Communist –South = Anti-Communist Nationalists Geneva Accords –Temporarily divide Vietnam along 17th parallel –Elections to be held in 1956 to settle

10. Vietnam goes into Chaos Diem Cancels Election –US supports cancellation –President Kennedy continues aid to South/Diem Ho Chi Mihn seen as hero –Years fighting Japanese and French –Redistributes land to peasants Diem –Corrupt government –Harsh on Buddhists Opposition grows in South (Vietcong)

11. 1963 - Diem regime toppled 1963- Pres. Kennedy assassinated Pres. Lyndon Johnson takes over Democrats “Soft on Communism”… ?… Johnson escalates the situation…

12. Gulf of Tonkin Gulf of Tonkin attack Aug 2, 1964 Tonkin Gulf Resolution Aug 7, 1964 Feb 1965, Operation Rolling Thunder -The war becomes “Americanized”…

13. Strong Support for Containment Tonkin Gulf Resolution –“All necessary measures to… prevent further aggression.” -Johnson –Vote in Congress 98-2; Senators approval

14. Guerilla vs. Conventional Warfare United States –Superior Weaponry –Heavy Machinery (tanks, bombers, etc.) Vietcong –Ambush tactics –Terrain familiarity

15. Guerrilla Warfare When enemy advances, we retreat; the enemy camps, we harass; the enemy tires, we attack; the enemy retreats, we pursue -Mao Tse-Tung (China)

16. Anything Suspicious??

17. Vietcong Tunnel Systems

18. Underground Tunnels Effectiveness of bombings… –“The more Americans tried to drive us away from our land, the more we burrowed into it.” -Major Nguyen Quot, Vietcong Army

19. Tunnels Avoid Bombings Surprise attacks on US troops, then disappear quickly

20. Guerilla Warfare V.C. move in and out of general population Attack US troops in cities and countryside Increasingly difficult US troops to discern ‘friend from foe’

21. Guerilla Warfare Booby Traps –Land mines –Tripwire with grenades –Trap doors with wooden spears –Explosives-rigged decoys

22. Tiger vs. Elephant?

23. “You can kill ten men for every one I kill of yours, but even at those odds, you will lose ad I will win.” -Ho Chi Minh (Speaking to French occupation) Military Struggle vs. Battle for National Independence Will to Fight

24. Troop Morale Sweltering Heat Leeches, Insects Disease Friend from Foe Support of villagers/rural Vietnamese in S. Government

25. National Morale Government –Credibility Gap –Growing Doubts “The Living-Room War” –High costs –Growing Doubts about Victory Youth Movement

26. Tiger vs. Elephant “If ever the tiger pauses, the elephant will impale him on his mighty tusks. But the tiger will not pause, and the elephant will die of exhaustion and loss of blood.” -Ho Chi Minh