The Vietnam War1954 - 1975

After gaining its independence from France, Vietnam was divided into North and South

Vietnam. As part of the agreement they were to hold unification elections in 1956.

North Vietnam South Vietnam

• Communist government…• Lead by Ho Chi Minh• Supported by U.S.S.R. & China• North Vietnamese Army

• Non-Communist government… Republic of Vietnam• Lead by Ngo Dinh Diem• Supported by the U.S./NATO• Viet Cong guerrillas (communist) fought against the government

Causes of the Vietnam War• Division of the country into Communist North

Vietnam & Non-Communist South Vietnam

• Ho Chi Minh’s determination to bring communist

rule to S. Vietnam

• Communist guerrillas (Viet Cong) in S. Vietnam

• Diem’s refusal to hold elections to unify the country

Flag of N. Vietnam Flag of S. Vietnam

Many, especially those in the country opposed Diem’s government & favored communism

These people formed groups of guerrilla fighters

They were supported by North Vietnam The Viet Cong began fighting the South

Vietnamese Army in 1959

The Viet Cong

In 1968, the N. Vietnamese launched a series of attacks across S. Vietnam, showing the U.S. that the NVA was stronger than we thought.

Tet Offensive

In the early 1960’s, Presidents Eisenhower & Kennedy sent military advisors to help build up S. Vietnam’s army and air force

In 1965, the U.S. Air Force began bombing N. Vietnam and sent thousands of troops to help the S. Vietnamese Army (ARVN)

By 1967, the U.S. had over a half million troops in Vietnam

U.S. Involvement…

Domino Effect – President Johnson’s belief that if one country in S.E. Asia fell to communism, soon all the countries in the region would as well

In 1967, protests against the war began in the U.S.

Vietnamization - Pres. Nixon’s plan to turn most of the ground fighting over to the S. Vietnamese

U.S. Involvement Cont.…

U.S. Involvement Cont.…

• In 1970, National Guard troops killed four students at an anti-war protest at Kent State University.

• In the early 1970’s U.S. bombing of N. Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos continued

• In 1975 the last U.S. troops left Vietnam

Vietnam was united under a communist government

The Domino Theory proved false Nearly 3.5 million Vietnamese died More than 58,000 Americans died Détente - a relaxation of tensions between

the U.S., U.S.S.R & China

Effects…