USA INVOLVEMENT-The Vietnam War

Why did the USA get involved?

Fall of France

• France lost the battle of Diem Bien Phu in 1954 (8000 French died) so they leave Vietnam
• Vietnam is split in two at the Geneva Conference 1954- Vietnam was to be temporarily divided along the 17th parallel, separated by a demillitarised zone.
• Communists control the North
• South becomes a democracy with US support.
• USA feels it must support the South to stop the spread of communism (DOMINO EFFECT) and put Diem in power 

US Politics

• 1947 Truman had promised to help any country stop communism spreading (TRUMAN…