Vietnam War

French Indochina

In the early 1900’s the French controlled a section of Southeast Asia known as French Indochina.

Independence movements began in a section of French Indochina known as Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh was a Vietnamese man who became a leader of an independence movement.

In the 1930’s Ho Chi Minh turned to the Communists for help.

The French threatened Ho Chi Minh with death so he left the country.

Ballad of Ho Chi MinhFar away across the ocean,Far beyond the sea's eastern rim,Lives a man who is father of the Indo-Chinese people,And his name it is Ho Chi Minh.From VietBac to the SaiGon DeltaFrom the mountains and plains belowYoung and old workers, peasants and the toiling tenant farmersFight for freedom with Uncle Ho.

Now Ho Chi Minh was a deep sea sailorHe served his time out on the seven seasWork and hardship were part of his early educationExploitation his ABC.

Now Ho Chi Minh came home from sailingAnd he looked out on his native landSaw the want and the hunger of the Indo-Chinese peopleForeign soldiers on every hand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO2oCO-njHU

Now Ho Chi Minh went to the mountainsAnd he trained a determined bandHeroes all, sworn to liberate the Indo-Chinese peopleDrive invaders from the land.

Fourteen men became a hundredA hundred thousand and Ho Chi MinhForged and tempered the army of the Indo-Chinese peopleFreedom's Army of Viet Minh.

Every soldier is a farmerComes the evening and he grabs his hoeComes the morning he swings his rifle on his shoulderThis the army of Uncle Ho.

From the mountains and the junglesFrom the ricelands and the Plain of ReedsMarch the men and the women of the Indo-Chinese ArmyPlanting freedom with vict'ry seeds.

From VietBac to the SaiGon DeltaMarched the armies of Viet MinhAnd the wind stirs the banners of the Indo-Chinese peoplePeace and freedom and Ho Chi Minh.

World War II

During World War II the Japanese took over Indochina (1941 – 1945).

Ho Chi Minh returned and began reuniting his party.

Many believed Vietnam would become independent after the war ended and Japan lost.

Different Views on Independence

All Vietnamese people wanted to have an independent Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh wanted Vietnam to be independent and communist. Many Vietnamese people agreed, but not all.

Some Vietnamese people wanted to be independent, but not communist. These people were called Nationalists.

War Breaks Out

After World War II Vietnam didn’t become independent. Instead the French returned.

The Communists and Nationalists joined forces to fight the French and become independent.

The movement had spread to the peasants in the countryside.

France Surrenders

In 1954 the French suffered a humiliating defeat at Dien Bien Phu and gave up.

America had been supporting France. We were not ready to give up, and did not want Vietnam to become communist.

Civil War or International Conflict?

With France gone the Vietnamese people still had a lot of problems to sort out.

There was still a disagreement between the Nationalist and Communists about what type of government they would have.

America stayed involved because we wanted to contain communism.

North Vietnam was mostly communist and under control of Ho Chi Minh. South Vietnam was mostly Nationalist, and would come under control of a man backed by the US.

Domino Theory

Many Americans believed in domino theory – the belief that once a country becomes communist they will spread communism to their neighbors.

Is Domino Theory True?

US Backs Ngo Dinh Diem

The US gave support to Ngo Dinh Diem an unpopular leader of South Vietnam who ruled like a dictator, but wasn’t communist.

He was hated by many and overthrown and killed in 1963.This made Ho Chi Minh and communism even more appealing to the Vietnamese people.

Rise of the Vietcong

Diem’s unpopularity increased the support for Ho Chi Minh and the Vietcong – communist guerilla fighters, in the south.

The US had already been helping Nationalist leaders in the south, now we sent more planes, tanks, and military.

US Involvement

The US had many difficulties in fighting the Vietcong:1. Unfamiliar terrain and fighting against

guerilla tactics.2. South Vietnamese government was

rapidly losing popularity.3. North Vietnamese communists were

getting weapons from the Soviet Union and China.

Controversy and Conflict

During our involvement Laos and Cambodia were bombed to kill any Vietcong hiding there.

The American public didn’t understand why it was necessary for us to be involved in this conflict.

Due to the unpopularity of our involvement and the controversy over our tactics President Nixon withdrew our troops officially in 1973.

The use of napalm and Agent Orange, chemicals to clear large portions of forest in Vietnam caused great damage.

Agricultural was ruined for decades and many birth defects resulted from the use of Agent Orange.

Outcomes

After the US left the communist north overran the south.

Vietnam became communist.

Vietnam is still communist today, and has a good relationship with America.

What does this conflict have to do with the Cold War?

Vietnam War demonstrates how US became involved in foreign affairs to prevent the spread of communism due to our belief in domino theory.

Containment in action – was it successful or worth it?

The outcome of this war impacts later foreign policy decisions – President Nixon will works towards a better relationship with the Soviet Union and China.