Vietnam

Background:

• Vietnam was a French colony from 1858 – 1954.

• During WWII, French forces withdrew and Japan invaded.

• In 1941, Ho Chi Minh establishes the Vietminh – the League for Vietnamese Independence.

• With the defeat of the Axis powers, French return to Vietnam.

• March 6, 1946: Franco-Vietminh accords are signed.

• Would the agreement be kept?

First Indochina War:

• Vietnamese v. French

• China and the Soviet Union offer arms to Vietminh.

• United States pledges $15 million to French forces. Why?

• Domino Theory!

• Battle of Dienbienphu: • Major defeat for French forces

Vietminh Leaders:

Ho Chi Minh Vo Nguyen Giap

• Communist leader of the Vietminh.

• Founded the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

• Strong sense of nationalism.

• Sought the unification of Vietnam.

• Both were hugely popular in Vietnam.

• General of the Vietnam People’s Army.

• Led the Vietnamese forces during the Battle of Dienbienphu.

• Sought the unification of Vietnam under Ho Chi Minh.

End of First Indochina War:

• Decisive victory for Giap’s forces at Dienbienphu leads to the Geneva Peace Accords of 1954.

• Leads to the partition of Vietnam into two territories, separated at the 17th parallel.

• States that democratic elections will be held in 1956, with the hope of unifying Vietnam.

• United States does not accept the agreement.

• Why?

Ngo Dinh Diem:

• Following French withdrawal, power Vacuum is left in Vietnam.

• Ngo Dinh Diem assumes South Vietnamese Presidency, with American approval.

• Diem refused to accept the Geneva Agreement, and never allowed elections to take place.

• Was a part of the Catholic minority, majority of country’s population was Buddhist.

• Began series of reforms that treated many of the citizens unfairly.

• Why would the United States support Diem?

American Involvement:

• With French withdrawal of forces in 1956, United States sends military advisors to South Vietnam.

• M.A.A.G (Military Assistance Advisor Group) assumes responsibility of training South Vietnamese forces.

Beginning of Hostilities:

• With the arrival of M.A.A.G., Vietminh begin insurgent activities.

• Vietminh guerrillas assassinate over 400 South Vietnamese officials, while amassing 37 armed companies along the Mekong Delta.

• Thirteen members of M.A.A.G. are injured in a series of bombings in Saigon.

Ho Chi Minh Trail:

• In 1959, North Vietnam begins moving supplies into South Vietnam via the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

• Vietminh forces strike the Bienhoa airbase and kill two American soldiers, they are the first Americans to die in Vietnam.

• President Diem begins crackdown on communists and other opposition.

• First attempt is made to kill Pres. Diem.

Increased American Involvement:

• Battle of Kienhoa Province begins in 1961.

• VP Lyndon Johnson tours South Vietnam and shows U.S. support for Diem regime.

• President JFK approves the deployment of U.S. Green Berets to Vietnam.

• Berets will specialize in counterinsurgency.

• U.S. forces also begin the deployment of Agent Orange.

Overthrow of Diem:

• 1962,Second assassination attempt is made against President Diem.• After attempt on his life, Diem holds

elections, which he rigged, and claims the Presidency again.• 1963, Buddhist Monks begin

demonstrating against Diem government.• Diem is overthrown and killed by his

personal military advisors. United States supported the coup.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident:

• Aug. 2nd, 1964, USS Maddox claims North Vietnamese PT boats attacked them in neutral waters.

• Aug. 4th, Second ship arrives and makes similar claims.

• USS Maddox had been running covert U.S. and South Vietnamese military operations in N. Vietnam for six months.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution:

• Aug. 7th, 1964, Congress approves the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

• Authorizes Pres. Johnson to “…"take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression."

• Grants LBJ the right to wage all-out-war without Congressional approval.