American History Chapter 29-1

The War Develops

History of Vietnam• Vietnam was wanted due to its rich, agricultural

resources.• French Indochina was formed when the French

combined Vietnam, Laos, & Cambodia in 1883.• Japan occupied French Indochina in WWII.– Ho Chi Minh organized the Vietminh to resist Japan.– Hoped for independence after WWII but the French

reclaimed control.

Post WWII Vietnam• The U.S. supported French control of Vietnam.– Due to the domino theory: The spread of communism

throughout SE Asia.

Vietnamese Independence• The French forces surrendered at Dien Bien Phu in 1954.– The Vietminh used guerilla style warfare.

• Vietnam was divided at the 17th parallel into North & South Vietnam at the Geneva Conference.

• Ho Chi Minh was the communist leader of North Vietnam.

• Ngo Dinh Diem became the U.S. backed leader of South Vietnam.– Diem was a corrupt, brutal dictator.

Indochina 1950

War Breaks Out• Ho Chi Minh also became a ruthless Communist

dictator.– Was popular with the peasants as he redistributed land to

them.

• Vietcong: Communists in South Vietnam who rebelled against Ngo Dinh Diem.– President Eisenhower sent $ & guns to South Vietnam.– Sent military advisers to train the South Vietnamese army.

Vietcong

Kennedy Increases U.S. Involvement• U.S. special forces, the Green Berets, were sent in.• Diem became more brutal & more unpopular.– Diem was assassinated in Nov. 1963.

Buddhist monk, Quang Duc

President Johnson & Vietnam• Aug. 1964, the USS Maddox was attacked by the

North Vietnamese.– Caused Congress to approve the Tonkin Gulf Resolution.– Enabled President Johnson to use all necessary means to

repel armed attack against U.S. forces.

Domino Effect??