The Vietnam War, 1954-1975

1
The Vietnam War 1954 - 1975
2

• Section1 Moving Toward War

3
Overview

• The Vietnam War was the longest military battle
  in the history of the United States. It lasted
  from 1959 to April 30,1975. The Vietnam War was
  also referred to as the Second Indochina War. It
  was fought between the communist North Vietnam
  and the US supported South Vietnam. Over 1.4
  million military personnel and an estimated 2
  million civilians were killed in the war. The war
  ended with the defeat of South Vietnam.
  Ultimately Vietnam was unified. Over 58,000
  Americans were killed during the war. It forever
  changed America.

4
Geography
5
(No Transcript)
6
(No Transcript)
7
Today
8
Background to the War

• France controlled Indochina since the late 19th
  century
• Japan took control during World War II
• With U.S. aid, France attempted re-colonization
  after WWII

9
Background to the War

• The French lost control to Ho Chi Minhs Viet
  Minh forces in 1954 at Dien Bien Phu (350)
• President Eisenhower declined to help France.

10
Background to the War

• International Conference at Geneva
• Vietnam was divided at 17th parallel
• Ho Chi Minhs (1000) communist forces
  controlled the North
• Ngo Dinh Diem, (1000) a French-educated, Roman
  Catholic claimed control of the South

Ho Chi Minh
Ngo Dinh Diem
11
Background to the War

• A date was set for democratic elections to
  reunify Vietnam
• Diem backed out of the elections, leading to
  military conflict between North and South

12
U.S. Military Involvement Begins

• The U.S. aided Diems government
• Ike sent financial and military aid
• 675 U.S. Army advisors sent by 1960.
• BUT
• Diem ruled like a dictator
• Diems family holds all power
• Wealth is hoarded by the elite
• Buddhist majority persecuted
• Torture, lack of political freedom prevail

13
Early Protests of Diems Government
Self-Emolation by a Buddhist Monk
14
U.S. Military Involvement Begins

• Kennedy elected 1960
• Increases military advisors to 16,000
• 1963 JFK supports a Vietnamese military coup
  d'état Diem and his brother are murdered (Nov.
  2)

15
(No Transcript)
16
Johnson Sends Ground Forces

• Remembers Trumans loss of China ? Domino
  Theory revived

Im not going to be the president who saw
Southeast Asia go the way China went.
17
Johnson Sends Ground Forces

• Tonkin Gulf Incident ? 1964(acc. to Johnson, the
  attacks were unprovoked)
• Tonkin Gulf Resolution
• Pres. Johnson getting power from Congress to use
  military force in Vietnam
• Carefully worded to not declare war

18
U.S. Troop Deployments in Vietnam