Vietnam- introduction and US involvement

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  • Created by: Pancake28
  • Created on: 13-03-17 17:38
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  • Vietnam 1954-1975
    • The French defeat at Dien Bien Phu
      • Before WW2 Vietnam was apart of the French colony Indo-china--- French then were driven out by the Japanese
        • Japanese were resisted by  Vietnamese freedom fighters- Viet Minh
        • At end of war Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam as an independent state- 1945
          • French tried to reimpose colonial rule during cold war. Americans supported the French financially as Ho Chi Minh was known to be a communist
            • In March 1954- Viet Minh defeated French army at Dien Bien Phu. Used Guerilla warfare. Were supported financially by China
              • July 1954- Geneva agreement
                • Granted Vietnam independence. Vietnam divided along 17th parallel. Communist North led by Ho Chi Minh, and a democratic south led by Diem.
                  • Diem had support from the US who saw him as someone who could stop communism.
                    • Ho Chi Minh, supported by China set up the NLF (Vietcong)
                      • ARVN could not defeat them so America supplied south Vietnam with military advisers and financial aid.
                    • USA refused to allow free elections because they were worried about a communist victory
    • Why was Diem's government unpopular?
      • US funded the Saigon military mission- advisers sent to Vietnam to train the ARVN in guerilla warfare
      • 1963- Bhuddists demonstrated because they were discriminated against- ARVN attacked them with hand grenades. Thich Quang Duc a Bhuddist monk burned himself to death- lead to worldwide outcry
        • Diem's government made up of rich Christian landowners who persecuted Bhuddist peasants. By 1963, most of South Vietnam's rural areas were controlled by the Vietcong
      • Nov 1963- military coup and Diem was assassinated
    • US policy and intervention following French defeat
      • United States stepped in to fill the vacuum- increased military aid to South Vietnam and sent US military advisers
    • Why did the USA get involved in Vietnam?
      • Because French colonial rule collapsed and the French had been driven out
      • Initially to support Diem's gov against a Buddhist uprising
      • Truman doctrine- Domino effect- contain communism
      • Realised Diem was an ineffective corrupt leader// feared South-East Asia might fall to communism.
      • Vietnam important-- route between Europe and Far East. Rich in raw materials
      • Once they had become involved the Americans had to keep escalating the war to try and defeat the Vietcong
      • Gulf of Tonkin- August 1964.
        • American warship USS Maddox claimed they had been attacked by North Vietnamese torpedo boats
          • Government passed the Gulf of Tonkin resolution- allowed Lyndon B Johnson to take direct military action in retaliation without declaration of war by congress.
      • February 1965- Vietcong attacked American air bases- American soldiers killed. President Johnson declared war against North Vietnam
      • Describe how the US got involved in Vietnam.
        • Containing communism in South Asia
        • 3 billion financial aid to French 1949-54
        • Supported Diem for leadership in 1954
        • 1954- Set up Saigon military mission- military advisers sent to train ARVN
        • Arranged assassination of Diem in 1963
        • Domino theory. Johnson wanted excuse to go to war
        • Gulf of Tonkin incident and resolution
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