VIETNAM or VIETNAM or INDOCHINA WAR (s)INDOCHINA WAR (s)

DAI VIETDAI VIET

Vietnamese kingdom originates in Vietnamese kingdom originates in Red River valley in north.Red River valley in north.

Becomes independent in 9Becomes independent in 9thth century. century. Fights for independence from China. Fights for independence from China. Eventually expands into south part of Eventually expands into south part of

today’s Vietnam.today’s Vietnam.

FRENCH INDOCHINAFRENCH INDOCHINA

French colonize French colonize parts of Southeast parts of Southeast Asia in 1880s, incl. Asia in 1880s, incl. Kingdom of VietnamKingdom of Vietnam

When French fall to When French fall to Nazis and Japanese Nazis and Japanese in World War II, in World War II, Vietnamese led by Vietnamese led by Communist Ho Chi Communist Ho Chi Minh begin revoltMinh begin revolt

HO CHI MINHHO CHI MINH

Defeats French in Defeats French in 1954 at Battle of 1954 at Battle of DienbienphuDienbienphu

French, French, Communists sign Communists sign Geneva AccordsGeneva Accords

GENEVA ACCORDSGENEVA ACCORDS

Laos and Cambodia to become Laos and Cambodia to become independent.independent.

Vietnam split into North – under Vietnam split into North – under Communist control, and South – non-Communist control, and South – non-CommunistCommunist

Elections to be held in two years Elections to be held in two years (1956) to decide government for (1956) to decide government for whole countrywhole country

THE OUTCOMETHE OUTCOME

Elections are never held.Elections are never held.US and South VietnamUS and South VietnamFear Communist trickeryFear Communist trickery

Ngo Dinh Diem is made Ngo Dinh Diem is made President of South Viet-President of South Viet-Nam with American Nam with American backingbacking

DOMINO THEORY and DOMINO THEORY and COMMITMENTSCOMMITMENTS

US pledged through SEATO treaty to US pledged through SEATO treaty to defend Thailand, Philippines and defend Thailand, Philippines and South Vietnam.South Vietnam.

Domino Theory – fear that if one Domino Theory – fear that if one country in SE Asia becomes country in SE Asia becomes Communist, they all will follow. SE Communist, they all will follow. SE Asia is considered strategic area.Asia is considered strategic area.

DIEMDIEM

Unpopular as president. Strict Catholic in a Buddhist countryUnpopular as president. Strict Catholic in a Buddhist country Authoritarian, aloof from the peopleAuthoritarian, aloof from the people Communists lead a movement against Diem – National Communists lead a movement against Diem – National

Liberation Front – Communists become known as “Vietcong”Liberation Front – Communists become known as “Vietcong” 1963 - Buddhist protests and “betrayal” by military officers lead 1963 - Buddhist protests and “betrayal” by military officers lead

to his downfallto his downfall

DILEMNA!DILEMNA!

What was US to do about South Vietnam?What was US to do about South Vietnam?

Vietcong, backed by North Vietnam and USSR, were Vietcong, backed by North Vietnam and USSR, were making gains in countryside.making gains in countryside.

But there was no viable government.But there was no viable government.

US INVOLVEMENTUS INVOLVEMENT

US backs a series of military US backs a series of military governments, begins massive governments, begins massive bombing of North Vietnam and bombing of North Vietnam and begins sending massive numbers of begins sending massive numbers of combat troops in 1965. combat troops in 1965.

LAOS and CAMBODIALAOS and CAMBODIA

Communist-led uprisings also take Communist-led uprisings also take place in these two monarchiesplace in these two monarchies

Vietcong make great use of the Vietcong make great use of the mountainous border with these mountainous border with these countries for their supply line from countries for their supply line from North Vietnam, called the Ho Chi North Vietnam, called the Ho Chi Minh TrailMinh Trail

TET OFFENSIVETET OFFENSIVE

Surprise attack by Surprise attack by VC and North VC and North Vietnamese across Vietnamese across South Vietnam South Vietnam during traditional during traditional truce period.truce period.

Gives lie to US Gives lie to US predictions of predictions of

speedy speedy

victory.victory.

MY LAI MASSACREMY LAI MASSACRE

American troops are American troops are ordered to destroy a ordered to destroy a South Vietnamese South Vietnamese village and end up village and end up massacring 450 massacring 450 inhabitantsinhabitants

Public reaction Public reaction against war against war inflamed, but many inflamed, but many find it excusable.find it excusable.

““VIETNAMIZAION”VIETNAMIZAION”

Elected president in 1968, Nixon Elected president in 1968, Nixon promises to turn more of fighting promises to turn more of fighting over to the South Vietnamese.over to the South Vietnamese.

However, to support them he However, to support them he continues the bombing campaign on continues the bombing campaign on VC supply lines on North Vietnam VC supply lines on North Vietnam and, in 1970, orders bombing and and, in 1970, orders bombing and invasion of Cambodia.invasion of Cambodia.

““KILLLING FIELDS”KILLLING FIELDS” US invasion of US invasion of

Cambodia de-stabilizes Cambodia de-stabilizes neutral governmentneutral government

In 1975, very extreme In 1975, very extreme Communist group – Communist group – Khmer Rouge – take Khmer Rouge – take overover

Empty cities, kill Empty cities, kill anyone not a peasantanyone not a peasant

One million die; one of One million die; one of every eight every eight Cambodians. Many Cambodians. Many flee to Thailand, US.flee to Thailand, US.

PEACE TALKSPEACE TALKS

Begin in 1970Begin in 1970 Two years spent Two years spent

arguing over the arguing over the shape of the tableshape of the table

Cease-fire signed Cease-fire signed in January, 1973.in January, 1973.

American troops go American troops go home. Most home. Most prisoners of war prisoners of war are released.are released.

END OF WAREND OF WAR

1975-Communists 1975-Communists break cease-fire terms break cease-fire terms and quickly overwhelm and quickly overwhelm South Vietnamese.South Vietnamese.

North and South North and South Vietnam are re-unified. Vietnam are re-unified. Saigon becomes Ho Saigon becomes Ho Chi Minh City.Chi Minh City.

Communists also win Communists also win in Laos and Cambodia-in Laos and Cambodia-Bloodbath in Bloodbath in Cambodia.Cambodia.

REFUGEESREFUGEES