1.HISTORY
For 40 years after WWII, France tried to hold on to Vietnam. Vietnam
had iron, coal, rubber and rice. This wealth combined with French
national pride gave France strong reasons for wanting to hold
on to it.
However, a strong nationalist movement grew in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh, a Communist guerrilla, and other nationalists formed the Vietminh (independence) League. This group was strongest in NORTH Vietnam.
2. War in Indochina, 1946-1954
France suffered many casualties and finally gave up in 1954
The role of the US-
The US had sent arms and money to the French to help them beat
the Communists
The US saw Ho's victory as a threat to the rest of Asia.
WHY? if they became communist then other countries around it might
too.
This was called the "The domino theory"
This became the cornerstone of US foreign policy during the Cold
War era.
At the peace conference to divide Vietnam (after France lost), it was divided into North and South along a 17th parallel (see pg. 779-text)
North Vietnam became Communist under Ho Chi Minh.
South Vietnam became a new govt. set up under Ngo Dinh Diem.
But he was an unpopular dictator. Communist guerrillas, VIET CONG,
began to gain in the south.
In 1964 Pres. Johnson sent American troops (185,000) to hold
the south. The war escalated (the# of troops increased)
By 1968 over half a million Americans were sent to battle
3. Major difficulties
1) It was not an open battle but a guerrilla war.
2) The Viet Cong had great popular support
3) During the later 1960s the war was very unpopular in the US.
4. Result
By 1969 a majority of Americans opposed the war.
Because of intense pressure, Pres. Nixon withdrew troops from
Vietnam.
In 1975, the N Vietnamese took control of all of Vietnam.