Viet Nam – A Background
Distance between Washington, D.C. and Hanoi, Viet Nam: 8,298 miles
History of Foreign invaders:
A. Chinese – 111 B.C. – conquer northern Viet Nam
Chinese culture dominates much of Viet Nam:
Rice growing
Buddhism
Chinese writing
Viet Nam becomes independent by 1700
B. France invades in the mid 1800s
1893 – French have taken over Viet Nam, Cambodia, Laos
French improve Viet Nam – built roads, ports, etc.
Introduced Roman Catholicism
Put down opposition to French rule – censorship, secret police, killed Vietnamese nationalists, etc.
Revolts, strikes against French occur during 1930s:
Led by communists under leadership of Ho Chi Minh:(had formed Indochinese Communist Party in 1930)
1941 – communists, other nationalists combine – form the “League for Vietnamese Independence” – commonly known as theVietminh
A. Japan occupies Viet Nam during WWIIU. S. helps Vietminh – in exchange, U.S. gains info on Japanese movements
POST WWII:
A. 1945 – Vietminh proclaim independence for Viet Nam
French return
Ho Chi Minh appeals to Pres. Truman for help
U.S. ignores the plea – Vietminh is a communist group
1946 – war breaks out – Vietminh vs. French
1949 – French set up a puppet gov’t. – headed by Bao Dai:
1950 – Ho Chi Minh launches a huge offensive -
Receives aid from China (communist as of 1949)
B. President Truman’s role:
Fear of communism – communist China, Korean conflict, McCarthyism, etc.
Increased aid to the French
C. President Eisenhower’s role:
Believes in “domino theory”
Again increases aid to the French
D. 1954 – Dien Bien Phu:
Vietminh finally defeat FrenchEisenhower refused to help the French -
Fear of Soviet/Chinese retaliation, didn’t want to act w/o approval of Congress
E. Geneva Accords – 1954:
Cease-fire agreed upon
Viet Nam is divided at 17th parallel
North – led by Ho Chi Minh
South – led by Bao Dai
Elections to be held in 1956 – will unify Viet Nam
Laos, Cambodia will become independent
F. Bao Dai is overthrown by Ngo Dinh Diem:
Strong anti-communist leader (will receive U.S. support)
Refused to hold elections – knew Ho Chi Minh would win
Antagonized many S. Vietnamese – imprisoned opposition, restricted Buddhist practices, etc.
G. Formation of National Liberation Front (Vietcong)
Launched guerilla campaign against Diem
Made up of Vietminh, Buddhists, nationalists, liberals who wanted freedoms
Supported by Ho Chi Minh – By 1959, he will supply arms to NLF via the Ho Chi Minh trail:
Diem’s response – “strategic hamlet program”: relocate entire villagesCauses Vietcong to gain support – ancestor worship is common
H. President Kennedy’s role:
Increases aid to Diem - containment
Sends U.S. “military advisors” to aid Diem - 1963
I. Diem is overthrown:
Buddhists protest Diem’s oppressive rule
Military coup – 11/1/1963 – U.S. “looks the other way”Several governments follow, none muchbetter than Diem’s
J. Tonkin Gulf Resolution:
LBJ – concerned about U. S. credibility
Saw Vietminh/Vietcong as Chinese “puppets”
July, 1964 – N. Viet Nam claims U.S. helped S. Viet Nam attack islands
8/2/1964 – N. Vietnamese “attack” American destroyer, the Maddox:
Second attack occurs 2 days later
8/7/1964 – Tonkin Gulf Resolution – provides “blank check” for President
Feb. 1965 – Johnson begins “Operation Rolling Thunder” – bombing campaign
March, 1965 – first U.S. combat troops arrive in South Viet Nam
Five general reasons that leaders choose to commit their nations to war:(“The Five Ps”)
1. POWER
2. PRESTIGE
3. PRINCIPLES
4. PROFIT
5. PROTECTION
Starr, Gerald M. “The Lessons of the Vietnam War”. Center for Social Studies Education. Pittsburgh, 2002. Pp. 29-30
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