11msss vietnamwarpowerpoint[1](1)
Transcript of 11msss vietnamwarpowerpoint[1](1)
The Vietnam WarThe most controversial conflict in
American History
Map of North and South Vietnam
The Official Era of the Vietnam War
The Vietnam War lasted from February 1961 until May 1975.
Build Up to War Vietnam - French colony that was invaded by Japan
during WWII
Ho Chi Minh – leader of the Vietnamese: called the Vietminh
Ho Chi Minh – supported Communism
Buildup to U.S. Involvement 1945 – French return to control Vietnam Ho Chi Minh controlled North Vietnam and
was supported by China France was supported by the USA USA sent approximately 15 million to help
France win
US Increases Involvement Pres. Truman – policy of containment:
preventing Communism from spreading
Pres. Eisenhower – domino theory: belief that if one country falls to Communism, other countries around it will fall as well
US Involvement
May 1954 – France is defeated at Dien Bien Phu and pulls out of Vietnam.
July 1954 – Vietnam is divided into 2 separate countries at the 17th parallel: North Vietnam and South Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh controls North Vietnam
Vietcong The Vietnamese Communists branch of the National Liberation Front (NLF) commanded by the Central Office for South Vietnam,
located near the Cambodian border. weapons, including booby traps and mines, were
homemade in villages. The materials ranged from scavenged tin can to
discarded wire Fought against U.S. in South Vietnam
1969 Bombing of North
Vietnam resumes 25,000 troops
withdrawn from South Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh dies but fight goes on
Vietnamization Plan to encourage
South Vietnam to take more responsibility in fighting the war
Allow US to withdraw gradually
1972 North Vietnam
invades South Vietnam and several large towns are lost.
Last American ground forces leave South Vietnam.
1973
US military operations against North Vietnam ends. US gov’t announces arrival of last American held as
Prisoner of War in the Philippines (later proved to be false).
The Paris Peace Accords: establish peace in Vietnam US military stopped fighting Agreement on ending the war and restoring peace
Last Years Congress places a
quota on monetary aid to South Vietnam.
Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos fall to the Communists.
Today…
The Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, DC has the name of every person that died while fighting in Vietnam.