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Ch. 16-1-1

Ch. 16-1-1. Origins of the Vietnam War. Why It Matters. Kennedy and Johnson both wanted a better America in the 1960s Both wanted a better world New lines were drawn against communism in Vietnam Would be one of the costliest wars in American history. America and the War in Indochina.

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Ch. 16-1-1

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  1. Ch. 16-1-1 Origins of the Vietnam War

  2. Why It Matters • Kennedy and Johnson both wanted a better America in the 1960s • Both wanted a better world • New lines were drawn against communism in Vietnam • Would be one of the costliest wars in American history

  3. America and the War in Indochina • Most Americans could not locate Vietnam on a map • Drew little American attention • America would soon be sending millions of soldiers there • Roots in: • European colonialism • Cold War politics • Vietnamese national independence

  4. France Rules Indochina in Southeast Asia • 1800s, France took control of Indochina • Modern countries of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos • Slightly bigger then Texas and 27 million people • France ruled strict and requested high taxes • Large plantations (rice and rubber) • France controlled the mineral wealth as well • Most people were poor • Ho Chi Minh strongest voice for independence • Ho Traveled the world for 30 years • Supported the Soviet Union and Communism

  5. The French Battle Nationalism and Communism • Japan undermined France during WWII in regards to Vietnam • France reassumed control after WWII • Colonialism was dying • American thoughts: • Supported Vietnamese independence • Wanted France as an ally • Truman sacrificed his own anticolonial sentiments • America gave aid to the French • Containing Ho Chi Minh became a priority • League of the Independence of Vietnam • Vietminh

  6. The Domino Theory and Dien Bien Phu • Eisenhower continued Truman’s policy in Vietnam • Wanted to avoid the domino theory • Vietnam fall to communism would lead to further communism • French were defeated at Dien Bien Phu • Large supply lines cut • Siege for 55 days • Vietnam split in two at the 17th Parallel • Ho Chi Minh in the North • Anticommunist government in the South • Free elections to happen in 1956 to unify Vietnam

  7. America Opposes Communism in Vietnam • France asked for American military support at Dien Bien Phu • Eisenhower only supplied money • Eisenhower did support South Vietnam

  8. The United States Aids South Vietnam • 1954 U.S. and 7 other countries created SEATO • Southeast Asia Treaty Organization • Like NATO, formed to stop the spread of communism • Gave military and financial aid to Ngo Dinh Diem (South Vietnam) • Diem knew he would lose the 1956 election • Did not participate • America supported this decision

  9. Communist Opposition Grows • 1957, National Liberation Front (NLF) • Committed to unifying Vietnam (located in South Vietnam) • Vietcong (guerrilla fighters) • Assassinated government officials and destroyed roads and bridges • Diem was Catholic in a Buddhist nations (weakened his strength) • Only the aid of the U.S. kept Diem in power

  10. Kennedy Sends U.S. Troops to Vietnam • Kennedy took a strong stand in 1961 • Sent Special Forces to guide the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) • By 1963, there were 15,000 “advisers” • Diem continued to lose power • Buddhist began protesting • Setting themselves on fire in the streets • Kennedy called for new leadership • America helped replace Diem • Diem was assassinated in 1963 after being removed

  11. Johnson Leads the Nation Into War • 3 weeks after Diem’s fall, Kennedy was assassinated • Saw the Soviet Union, China, and Vietnam as all the same • Knew Americans expected victory

  12. Read Aloud • Pg. 536 • North Vietnamese and U.S. Forces Clash • Congress Gives Johnson Broad Military Powers

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