Vietnam MemorialVietnam MemorialWashington D.C.Washington D.C.

Vietnam MemorialVietnam Memorial

The Start of the Vietnam The Start of the Vietnam WarWar

““No president really decided to go to war in No president really decided to go to war in Vietnam. Rather, the American involvement Vietnam. Rather, the American involvement

there emerged from years of gradually there emerged from years of gradually increasing commitments that slowly and increasing commitments that slowly and

imperceptibly expanded.”imperceptibly expanded.”

French RuleFrench Rule

Imperialist Era (late 1800s) to beginning Imperialist Era (late 1800s) to beginning WW2WW2

Controlled Indochina – Vietnam, Controlled Indochina – Vietnam, Cambodia, LaosCambodia, Laos

Took peasants land, treated them poorly, Took peasants land, treated them poorly, jailed any dissenters jailed any dissenters

Nationalist PartiesNationalist Parties Many political groups in Many political groups in

Vietnam against foreign rule.Vietnam against foreign rule.

Indochinese Communist Indochinese Communist Party – organized most of Party – organized most of the uprisings the uprisings Ultimately Ultimately known as known as VIETMINHVIETMINH

Headed by Ho Chi MinhHeaded by Ho Chi Minh He was sentenced to death by He was sentenced to death by

French, fled to USSR and later French, fled to USSR and later ChinaChina

France vs. VietminhFrance vs. Vietminh

French troops back in Vietnam after ’46French troops back in Vietnam after ’46

French gain control of Vietnam’s southern halfFrench gain control of Vietnam’s southern half

1950 – Truman enters US in Vietnam struggle to aid Ally1950 – Truman enters US in Vietnam struggle to aid Ally Next 4 yrs, sent $2.6 billionNext 4 yrs, sent $2.6 billion

Purpose: Growing fear of Communism despite former Purpose: Growing fear of Communism despite former alliance w/ Ho Chi Minh to oust Japanalliance w/ Ho Chi Minh to oust Japan

Vietminh drive out FranceVietminh drive out France Eisenhower backs French aid by Eisenhower backs French aid by

explaining the explaining the DOMINO THEORYDOMINO THEORY knock over the first one, what knock over the first one, what

happens to the rest?happens to the rest?

May 1954 – Vietminh overran May 1954 – Vietminh overran French after fall of Dien Bien PhuFrench after fall of Dien Bien Phu

French surrender and pull out of French surrender and pull out of VietnamVietnam

Geneva AccordsGeneva Accords France, GB, USSR, US, China, France, GB, USSR, US, China,

Laos, Cambodia, Vietminh and Laos, Cambodia, Vietminh and South Vietnam’s anti-South Vietnam’s anti-communist nationalistscommunist nationalists

Set up Peace Agreement - Set up Peace Agreement - Vietnam divided by 17Vietnam divided by 17thth parallel parallel

Communist control NorthCommunist control North Anti-Communist control SouthAnti-Communist control South

An election in 1956 would unify An election in 1956 would unify the country againthe country again