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Vietnam War

Vietnam War. US Involvement 1954 to 1963. Response to Geneva Accords. Exodus Roughly 1 million (numbers disputed) Vietnamese from the north move south About 50000 move north Mostly Catholic and/or associated with French Strongly encouraged by US. US response.

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Vietnam War

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  1. Vietnam War US Involvement 1954 to 1963

  2. Response to Geneva Accords • Exodus • Roughly 1 million (numbers disputed) Vietnamese from the north move south • About 50000 move north • Mostly Catholic and/or associated with French • Strongly encouraged by US

  3. US response • Eisenhower determines that following French defeat that communism cannot be allowed to expand further • Domino theory put forth • Eisenhower opposed direct military intervention – Ridgeway determined that a force at least the size of forces committed to Korea would be required

  4. Decides to use CIA to help promote non communists • Military Assistance Advisory Command sent to South Vietnam to train and advise South Vietnamese military

  5. Rise of Diem • Anti-communist nationalist • Was not tainted by association with France • Staunchly Catholic – • Consolidates Rule in South – ousts last Emperor and declares himself president of Republic of Vietnam • Opposes elections in 1956 with US support

  6. Communists consolidate rule in north • Prosecute landlords and potential counter revolutionaries • Between 2000 and 50000 people killed or imprisoned • Promoted communist insurgencies in Laos and Cambodia

  7. Development of resistance in South • Heavy handed prosecution of opposition by Diem sparks resistance • Cancellation of elections in 1956 incite ex Viet Minh in south to appeal to North for help • Low level insurgency begins in 1957 • Work on Ho Chi Minh Trail begins

  8. Birth of the Viet Cong • Southern insurgency faced destruction by Diems secret police in 1959 • Hanoi decides to begin support • National Liberation Front established in Dec 1960 with Northern support and North Vietnemese (NVA) officers in command • Goal is to overthrow Diem’s government\

  9. NLF assassinates over 3000 Diem supporters and government officials from 1961 to 1963 • Diem refers to NLF as Vietnamese Communists or Viet Cong • Diem increases repression accusing any opposition as communist • Strategic Hamlet program tried • Causes more as many problems as solved

  10. Kennedy Era • Kennedy had bigger problems than Vietnam • Bay of Pigs, Berlin Wall Crisis, Laos • Sought to enhance credibility and anti-communist credentials • New Foreign Policy initiative stresses counter-insurgency program • National liberation movements and anti-colonialism exploited by Moscow • Created Green Berets for that purpose • Sent to assist South Vietnamese - MACV

  11. Encouraged Diem to pursue true democratic reforms and include non-communist opposition in government • Diem resists and continues repressive policies and nepotism • “Buddhist Barbeque” comment made by wife • Family members given top government posts • Corruption rampent

  12. Kennedy administration made aware of impending coup • No warning sent to Diem • Diem is killed during coup in Nov 1 1963 • Military Leaders replace Diem • Amid Chaos and political instability Viet Cong step up attacks • Giap prepares NVA to invade • 23000 US advisors in South Vietnam

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