Describe the people and Describe the people and events that led to the start of events that led to the start of

the Vietnam Warthe Vietnam WarKey Terms:Key Terms:

-Dien Bien Phu-Dien Bien Phu

-Ho Chi Minh-Ho Chi Minh

-Vietminh-Vietminh

-Geneva Accords-Geneva Accords

-Ngo Dinh Diem-Ngo Dinh Diem

-Domino Theory -Domino Theory

-Ho Chi Minh Trail-Ho Chi Minh Trail

-Gulf of Tonkin Resolution-Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Opening ActivityOpening Activity

-What is containment?-What is containment?

-What war did the US fight -What war did the US fight to contain communism to contain communism in Asia?in Asia?

HW: Moving toward HW: Moving toward ConflictConflict

The Vietnam WarThe Vietnam War

Early War Years 1945-1963Early War Years 1945-1963Objective: Analyze the people and Objective: Analyze the people and events that led to the start of the events that led to the start of the

Vietnam WarVietnam War

France in VietnamFrance in Vietnam

• Before World War II, it was a French Before World War II, it was a French colonycolony

• During World War II, Japan controlled During World War II, Japan controlled VietnamVietnam– In 1941, a communist group called the In 1941, a communist group called the

VietminhVietminh were formed to fight for were formed to fight for Vietnam’s independenceVietnam’s independence• Group was led by Group was led by Ho Chi MinhHo Chi Minh• Vietminh fought with the United States against Vietminh fought with the United States against

the Japanesethe Japanese

• After WWII, Vietminh declared Vietnam After WWII, Vietminh declared Vietnam independent, but France wanted its colony independent, but France wanted its colony backback– The Soviet Union recognized the Vietminh’s The Soviet Union recognized the Vietminh’s

communist government in the Northcommunist government in the North– The US recognized the French government in the The US recognized the French government in the

SouthSouth

• Why did the US refuse to support the Viet Why did the US refuse to support the Viet Minh?Minh?– 1949 China became communist1949 China became communist– 1950 North Korea became communist1950 North Korea became communist

War BeginsWar Begins

• France vs. the Viet MinhFrance vs. the Viet Minh– The US paid $3 billion to try and help the The US paid $3 billion to try and help the

French win.French win.– In 1954, the French are forced to surrender In 1954, the French are forced to surrender

at Dien Bien Phuat Dien Bien Phu

Switzerland 1954: Geneva Switzerland 1954: Geneva ConventionConvention

• Nine nations create the Nine nations create the Geneva Geneva AccordsAccords– It temporarily divides Vietnam at the It temporarily divides Vietnam at the 1717thth

ParallelParallel• Communist North led by Ho Chi MinhCommunist North led by Ho Chi Minh• Democratic South led by Democratic South led by Ngo Dinh DiemNgo Dinh Diem

– It stated that the there would be elections It stated that the there would be elections in 1956 to reunite Vietnamin 1956 to reunite Vietnam

• War continued between the North and War continued between the North and South after the convention South after the convention

Eisenhower and VietnamEisenhower and Vietnam

• Believed in Believed in Domino Theory-Domino Theory- if one country in if one country in Southeast Asia fell to communism then they Southeast Asia fell to communism then they all wouldall would

• US sends 760 military advisors US sends 760 military advisors • Diem was a corrupt leaderDiem was a corrupt leader– Took away freedom of religionTook away freedom of religion– He was establishing himself as a dictatorHe was establishing himself as a dictator

• 1956, Diem refused to hold the elections1956, Diem refused to hold the elections– Supported by the USSupported by the US– Ho Chi Minh would have wonHo Chi Minh would have won

Communists Gain Power in the Communists Gain Power in the SouthSouth

• 1959, South Vietnamese communist 1959, South Vietnamese communist group called the Vietcong gain powergroup called the Vietcong gain power– Waged war against the SouthWaged war against the South– Supported by Ho Chi Minh through the Ho Supported by Ho Chi Minh through the Ho

Chi Minh Trail- ran through Laos and Chi Minh Trail- ran through Laos and Cambodia Cambodia

Kennedy and Vietnam (1961-Kennedy and Vietnam (1961-1963)1963)

• Kennedy increased aid to South Kennedy increased aid to South VietnamVietnam

• Increased military personnel to 16,000Increased military personnel to 16,000• Nov. 1963, Diem lost US supportNov. 1963, Diem lost US support– Diem was assassinated on the first of Diem was assassinated on the first of

NovemberNovember– Three weeks later Kennedy was Three weeks later Kennedy was

assassinatedassassinated– Vice President Lyndon Johnson takes overVice President Lyndon Johnson takes over

Drill:Drill:

• Complete the follow phrasesComplete the follow phrases– After WWII, the US supported ________ After WWII, the US supported ________

against the Vietminh.against the Vietminh.– __________ lost to the Vietminh.__________ lost to the Vietminh.– Then Vietnam was ___________.Then Vietnam was ___________.– The US supported _________ Vietnam The US supported _________ Vietnam

against the Vietcong.against the Vietcong.

Explain the strategies used to Explain the strategies used to fight the Vietnam War.fight the Vietnam War.

Key Terms: Key Terms:

Use your chart from Use your chart from today’s lesson.today’s lesson.

Opening ActivityOpening Activity

-Why was the Gulf of -Why was the Gulf of Tonkin Incident Tonkin Incident important?important?

Explain strategies used to Explain strategies used to fight the Vietnam War.fight the Vietnam War.

Key Terms: Key Terms:

-Gulf of Tonkin Incident-Gulf of Tonkin Incident

-Gulf of Tonkin Resolution-Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

-Use your chart from -Use your chart from today’s lesson.today’s lesson.

-fragging-fragging

Opening ActivityOpening Activity

-Who controlled Vietnam -Who controlled Vietnam before it was divided before it was divided into a North and South?into a North and South?

US Enters into Combat US Enters into Combat HWHW

10 Best Word Strategy10 Best Word Strategy

Purpose: Learn about America Purpose: Learn about America strategies in fighting the Vietnam War.strategies in fighting the Vietnam War.

1.1.Take 7 minutes to read about US Take 7 minutes to read about US strategies.strategies.a.a. As you read underline key terms (could As you read underline key terms (could

be people, names of strategies, be people, names of strategies, characteristics about strategies that characteristics about strategies that describe US policies)describe US policies)

b.b.

10 Best Terms Cont.10 Best Terms Cont.

2. Now with the person next to you 2. Now with the person next to you narrow down or expand your search narrow down or expand your search terms to 10.terms to 10.

a. Fill in the terms column on your a. Fill in the terms column on your chart.chart.

VC’s StrategyVC’s Strategy

The Vietcong and North Vietnam realized The Vietcong and North Vietnam realized very quickly that it could not compete very quickly that it could not compete with the United States’ well trained and with the United States’ well trained and technologically superior army. As a technologically superior army. As a result the Vietcong used their result the Vietcong used their knowledge of the jungles to wage knowledge of the jungles to wage guerilla warfare. Guerilla warfare guerilla warfare. Guerilla warfare involves using hit and run tactics.involves using hit and run tactics.

The VC’s knowledge of the jungle also The VC’s knowledge of the jungle also allowed them to set up booby traps for allowed them to set up booby traps for soldiers on search and destroy soldiers on search and destroy missions. Another characteristic of missions. Another characteristic of guerilla warfare is that soldiers did not guerilla warfare is that soldiers did not always wear uniforms, this way they always wear uniforms, this way they could blend in with the normal civilians. could blend in with the normal civilians. American soldiers had no idea who American soldiers had no idea who were allies of the VC. were allies of the VC.

The Vietcong also waged wars not just in the The Vietcong also waged wars not just in the jungle, but took the war to cities. The jungle, but took the war to cities. The element of surprise was important to their element of surprise was important to their success.success.

To make it possible for the VC to survive they To make it possible for the VC to survive they built elaborate tunnels throughout South built elaborate tunnels throughout South Vietnam. Tunnels were important because Vietnam. Tunnels were important because they supplied protection against America’ they supplied protection against America’ air war, they provided an escape route for air war, they provided an escape route for attacks, and served as bases.attacks, and served as bases.

The VC were able to make surprise The VC were able to make surprise attacks on US soldiers and then retreat attacks on US soldiers and then retreat into tunnels. This fighting created a into tunnels. This fighting created a stalemate in the war and lowered the stalemate in the war and lowered the morale of US soldiers.morale of US soldiers.