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The Vietnam War

(1954–1975)

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South Vietnam

North Vietnam

United States

The Players in Vietnam

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American Foreign Policy Rationale Domino theory if one

Southeast Asian nation fell to communism, others would soon follow.

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French Indochina Historically, the

French had controlled Vietnam and much of southeast Asia.

During WWII, the French lost Vietnam and after the war they wanted to regain their lost colony.

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Ho Chi Minh, a pro-Communist leader in Vietnam. Led a group

called the Vietminh against French control of his nation before, during, and after World War II.

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Dien Bien Phu the Vietminh successfully defeated the French (1954).

Geneva Accords divided Vietnam into Communist North Vietnam and anti-Communist South Vietnam.

The country would be divided at the 17th parallel.

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Ho Chi Minh led

North Vietnam.

Ngo Dinh Diem led

South Vietnam.

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Truman and Ike’s Vietnam Policies

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Truman began providing economic aid to the French in Vietnam in 1950.

In 1960, Eisenhower sent hundreds of military advisors to help South Vietnam’s struggle against the North.

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JFK’s Vietnam Policies

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Diem’s Downfall During the early 1960s, Ngo Dinh

Diem’s policies lost him the support of his people. Diem was a Catholic controlling

a Buddhist nation. Political corruption. Political favors for families

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President Kennedy told South Vietnamese military leaders that the United States would not object to Diem’s overthrow.

In November 1963, military leaders seized control of South Vietnam and assassinated Diem.

United States was upset over the assassination of Diem.

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McNamara’s Role Robert McNamara,

President Kennedy’s Secretary of Defense.

Influential in shaping American policy toward Vietnam (chief architect).

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McNamara used his strong business background to cut costs while modernizing the armed forces.

In the coming years, McNamara would push for direct American involvement in Vietnam.

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LBJ’s Vietnam Policies

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Shortly after Diem’s assassination in November 1963, President Kennedy was assassinated, and Vice President Johnson assumed the presidency.

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In South Vietnam, the military leaders who had taken over the government were unsuccessful and unpopular.

As a result, Communist guerrillas in South Vietnam, known as the Viet Cong, made gains in both territory and loyalty.

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The Viet Cong’s political wing was known as the National Liberation Front.

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Expanding Presidential PowerThe Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

In August 1964, Johnson announced that North Vietnamese torpedo boats had attacked American destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Gave Johnson authority to send troops to Vietnam.

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Under the resolution, the President had authority to “take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.”