The Vietnam War

1954 - 1975

The Vietnam War

1954 - 1975

Background to the War

Background to the War

France controlled France controlled ““IndochinaIndochina”” since the late 19since the late 19thth century century

Indochina consists of Vietnam, Indochina consists of Vietnam, Laos & CambodiaLaos & Cambodia

Tried to regain control after Tried to regain control after WWII; Vietnamese fight a WWII; Vietnamese fight a guerrilla war against guerrilla war against reoccupationreoccupation

Background to the WarBackground to the War

Vietnam divided at 17Vietnam divided at 17thth parallelparallelO Ho Chi MinhHo Chi Minh’’ss nationalist nationalist

forces controlled the Northforces controlled the NorthO Ngo Dinh DiemNgo Dinh Diem, , ““democracydemocracy””

in Southin SouthO France & U.S. establish the France & U.S. establish the

Anti-communist governmentAnti-communist government

In S.V. In S.V.

*Diem ruled the south as a *Diem ruled the south as a dictator.dictator.

Early Protests of Diem’s Government

Early Protests of Diem’s Government

Self-EmolationSelf-Emolation by a Buddhist Monk by a Buddhist Monk

• US Gov’t feels Vietnam is important to America.• Domino Theory-if SV falls to communism, other countries

will quickly follow (mainly in SE Asia)• Containment-larger US policy against communism; prevent

it from expanding its territory or spreading its influence

WHY did the USSupport the corrupt South?

Gulf of Tonkin

• August 1964- U.S. President Lyndon Johnson sends more troops b/c two U.S. destroyers were attacked by N. patrol boats in Gulf of Tonkin.

• ½ million soldiers by 1968.

Who Is the Enemy?Who Is the Enemy? VietcongVietcong:

Farmers by day; guerillas at night; Farmers by day; guerillas at night; willing to accept many casualtieswilling to accept many casualties

American sends more troops to American sends more troops to avoid Vietcong takeover.avoid Vietcong takeover.

The guerilla wins if he does not The guerilla wins if he does not lose, the conventional army loses lose, the conventional army loses if it does not win.if it does not win. -- Mao Mao ZedongZedong

Vietcong

• Supported by many people in both South and North Vietnam.– South supports because

gov’t unpopular

• U.S. has trouble fighting on unfamiliar territory.

• Late 1960’s- US bombed farmland and forest (civilian targets)- U.S. protests.

Vietnamization

• 1969- U.S. begins to withdraw troops• South Vietnam increases its military role• Last U.S. forces leave in 1973• N. Vietnam overruns the South.

The Fall of SaigonThe Fall of Saigon

South Vietnamese South Vietnamese Attempt to Flee the CountryAttempt to Flee the Country

The Fall of Saigon

The Fall of Saigon

America Abandons Its America Abandons Its EmbassyEmbassy

April 30, 1975April 30, 1975

The Fall of Saigon

The Fall of Saigon

North Vietnamese North Vietnamese at the Presidential Palaceat the Presidential Palace

Formerly Formerly SaigonSaigon

A United VietnamA United Vietnam