2. The Vietnam War Begins

3. Essential Questions: 1)What is Vietnam’s colonial history? 2)What compromises were made at the Geneva conference? 3)Why was President Diem unpopular? 4)How does President Kennedy and Johnson increase U.S. involvement in Vietnam?

4. Background to the War France controlled Indochina since the late 19 th century France controlled Indochina since the late 19 th century Japan took control during World War II Japan took control during World War II Ho Chi Minh founds Vietminh Ho Chi Minh founds Vietminh Vietnam declares independence once Japan is defeated Vietnam declares independence once Japan is defeated With U.S. aid, France attempts re-colonization after WWII With U.S. aid, France attempts re-colonization after WWII

5. First Indochina War Belief in domino theory leads to U.S. sending arms, ammunition, supplies and $ to French Belief in domino theory leads to U.S. sending arms, ammunition, supplies and $ to French The French surrendered to Vietminh in 1954 at Dien Bien Phu The French surrendered to Vietminh in 1954 at Dien Bien Phu President Eisenhower declined to aid French w/ additional soldiers President Eisenhower declined to aid French w/ additional soldiers

6. Vietnam Temporarily Split International Conference at Geneva 1954 International Conference at Geneva 1954 Geneva Accords: Vietnam divided at 17 th parallel Geneva Accords: Vietnam divided at 17 th parallel Ho Chi Minh’s nationalist forces controlled the North Ho Chi Minh’s nationalist forces controlled the North Ngo Dinh Diem, Roman Catholic claimed control of the South Ngo Dinh Diem, Roman Catholic claimed control of the South Reunification elections to be held in 1956 Reunification elections to be held in 1956

7. Ngo Dinh Diem’s Troubled Leadership Diem backed out of the elections Diem backed out of the elections Repressive dictatorial rule by Diem Repressive dictatorial rule by Diem Election corruption Election corruption Family holds power Family holds power Persecution of Buddhists Persecution of Buddhists Favoritism of wealthy landowners Favoritism of wealthy landowners Torture and imprisonment of political opponents Torture and imprisonment of political opponents National Liberation Front founded – Vietcong: soldiers National Liberation Front founded – Vietcong: soldiers

8. Early Protests of Diem’s Government Self-Emolation by a Buddhist Monk

10. U.S. Military Involvement Begins Kennedy elected 1960 Kennedy elected 1960 Increases military “advisors” to 9,000 by 1962 Increases military “advisors” to 9,000 by 1962 1963: JFK supports a South Vietnamese military coup d’etat – Diem and his brother are murdered 1963: JFK supports a South Vietnamese military coup d’etat – Diem and his brother are murdered Kennedy was assassinated 3 weeks later Kennedy was assassinated 3 weeks later

11. Johnson Inherits the Vietnam Problem During his presidential campaign: “We are not about to send American boys nine or ten thousand miles away from home to do what Asian boys ought to be doing for themselves.” As the war escalates: “I’m not going to be the president who saw Southeast Asia go the way China went.” As the war escalates: “I’m not going to be the president who saw Southeast Asia go the way China went.”

12. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Johnson approves covert attacks on radar stations along Northern Coast Johnson approves covert attacks on radar stations along Northern Coast North fires torpedoes and machine guns at U.S. destroyer North fires torpedoes and machine guns at U.S. destroyer Second attack? Second attack? Tonkin Gulf Resolution passed by Congress (The Blank Check) Tonkin Gulf Resolution passed by Congress (The Blank Check)

13. U.S. Troop Deployments in Vietnam

14. Essential Questions: 1)What is Vietnam’s colonial history? 2)What compromises were made at the Geneva conference? 3)Why was President Diem so unpopular? 4)How does President Kennedy and Johnson increase U.S. involvement in Vietnam?