ush going to war in vietnam ho chi minh – vietnamese leader vietnam nationalism – ruled buy...
TRANSCRIPT
USH Going to War in Vietnam
• Ho Chi Minh– Vietnamese leader
• Vietnam Nationalism – Ruled buy foreign powers for centuries • China, France, Japan (since WWII)
– Wanted to get rid of foreign rulers • Specifically Japanese
– U.S. sends aid to support movement
America Aids the French
• French refuse to give up territory in Vietnam• Ho Chi Minh begins independence movement • France asks for American help• Eisenhower reluctantly agrees – “Domino Theory”• If Vietnam falls to communists, neighboring countries
will eventually fall, too
Geneva Accords
• Divided Vietnam along the 17th parallel – Ho chi Minh in control in north– Pro-western forces in control in south
• French troops leave– America becomes “protector” of south Vietnam
• Ngo Dinh Diem– South Vietnam nationalist leader– Ally of U.S.
America Becomes Involved
• Vietcong– Communist group in South Korea– Assassinated thousands of government officials
• Eisenhower sends hundreds of military advisors to assist South Korean military
Overthrow of Diem
• Diem (Catholic) treats Buddhist religion poorly – Citizens become angry– America continues to support Diem– Military overthrows, kills Diem– South Vietnam becomes weak and disorganized – U.S. becomes more deeply involved
Johnson and Vietnam
• Johnson campaigning for presidency – Was sensitive to accusations he was ‘soft’ on
communism• Republicans blamed Democrats for the fall of China to
communism
• North Vietnam torpedo U.S. ships in Gulf of Tonkin
• Gulf of Tonkin Resolution – President may take “all necessary measures” to
repel any attacks, and stop further aggression
Johnson and Vietnam
• U.S. sends in troops to Vietnam• Vietcong uses guerilla warfare – Hide in cities and jungles
• “Search and Destroy”– U.S. troops develop new tactics • Take away Vietcong’s ability to hide • Napalm: jelly-like gasoline that explodes on contact• Agent Orange: chemical that strips leaves from trees
and shrubs
Johnson and Vietnam
• 1965-1967: 220,000 Vietnamese killed• 1966: 6,700 American soldiers killed• War begins looking like a “stalemate”– No side wins
• American people begin to question U.S involvement in the war