Chapter 30, Section 2

Chapter 30, Chapter 30, Section 2Section 2

Presentation by: Ms. TaylorPresentation by: Ms. Taylor

THE VIETNAM WAR

Map of VietnamMap of Vietnam

Vietnam is located just south of China, in the area that we call Indochina.

Causes of the Vietnam War…Causes of the Vietnam War…

► Indochina belonged to the French.Indochina belonged to the French.►During WWII, the Japanese captured During WWII, the Japanese captured

Indochina and took it from the French.Indochina and took it from the French.►Ho Chi Minh Ho Chi Minh was the leader of the was the leader of the

CommunistCommunist forces in Vietnam. forces in Vietnam. ► Japan lost WWII, so Ho Chi Minh fought the Japan lost WWII, so Ho Chi Minh fought the

French for control of Vietnam.French for control of Vietnam.►HO CHI MINH and the Communists HO CHI MINH and the Communists

defeated the French, and the French defeated the French, and the French left Vietnam and were no longer in left Vietnam and were no longer in control. control.


► After WWII, the Allies After WWII, the Allies met in Geneva to work met in Geneva to work out a peace out a peace agreement.agreement.

► This was known as the This was known as the Geneva AccordsGeneva Accords..

► According to the According to the Geneva Accords, Geneva Accords, Vietnam would be Vietnam would be temporarily divided temporarily divided between between NorthNorth and and SouthSouth Vietnam. Vietnam.

Vietnam divided between North and South.


Ho Chi Minh – became the leaderof North Vietnam. COMMUNIST

Ngo Dihn Dehm – became the leader ofSouth Vietnam. NON-COMMUNIST


► In the late 1950’s, In the late 1950’s, Diem started a civil Diem started a civil war against war against Communists Communists remaining in South remaining in South Vietnam.Vietnam.

► In response, Ho Chi In response, Ho Chi Minh formed the Minh formed the National National Liberation Front Liberation Front (NLF)(NLF), also known , also known as the as the VietcongVietcong..

How did America get involved in How did America get involved in the conflict?the conflict?

► One answer: the One answer: the domino theorydomino theory. . ► What is the domino theory? What is the domino theory? ► Obviously, our country is going to be supporting Obviously, our country is going to be supporting

and sending billions of dollars in aid to help Diem and sending billions of dollars in aid to help Diem and the South Vietnamese forces – because they and the South Vietnamese forces – because they are are NOT NOT communist.communist.

America runs into a America runs into a problem…problem…

► The Diem government The Diem government of South Vietnam of South Vietnam started taking away started taking away rights from people.rights from people.

► They took away rights They took away rights from the from the BuddhistsBuddhists, , who started protesting who started protesting by burning themselves by burning themselves in the streets.in the streets.

► Obviously, the Obviously, the Americans could no Americans could no longer support the Diem longer support the Diem government of South government of South Vietnam. Vietnam.

► Diem was assassinated.Diem was assassinated.

What does America do next?What does America do next?

► JFK is assassinated. Lyndon B. Johnson JFK is assassinated. Lyndon B. Johnson becomes President of the United States.becomes President of the United States.

► President Johnson decides to send Secretary President Johnson decides to send Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara to Vietnam. of Defense Robert McNamara to Vietnam.

McNamara

President Johnson

The The Gulf of TonkinGulf of Tonkin ResolutionResolution

► In August 1964, North Vietnamese patrol In August 1964, North Vietnamese patrol boats attacked American destroyers in the boats attacked American destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin. Gulf of Tonkin.

► This attack allowed President Johnson to ask This attack allowed President Johnson to ask America to officially go to war in Vietnam.America to officially go to war in Vietnam.

► Congress passed the Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Gulf of Tonkin ResolutionResolution which allowed the President to which allowed the President to “take “take ALL ALL necessary measures to repel any necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the armed attack against the forces of the United States”.United States”.

Johnson sends soldiers to Johnson sends soldiers to VietnamVietnam

►March 8, 1965March 8, 1965 – – President Johnson President Johnson started sending started sending more troops to more troops to Vietnam. They were Vietnam. They were stationed at Da stationed at Da Nang.Nang.

► 1965 – 180,0001965 – 180,000► 1966 – 400,0001966 – 400,000► 1968 – 500,0001968 – 500,000

Operation Rolling ThunderOperation Rolling Thunder

Massive bombing along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

Search-and-Destroy MissionsSearch-and-Destroy Missions

Napalm – an explosive that burned intensely.Agent Orange – herbicide that was sprayedto clear trees and forests.

Debates in the White HouseDebates in the White House

Officials in the White House believed that, at first, we could succeed.However, as the war dragged on, some government officials saw a gloomier situation. Outside the nation’s capital, opposition to the war grew and soon would turn into massive anger!!!!

THE END

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Chapter 30, Section 2