USH Going to War in Vietnam

• Ho Chi Minh– Vietnamese leader

• Vietnam Nationalism – Ruled buy foreign powers for centuries • China, France, Japan (since WWII)

– Wanted to get rid of foreign rulers • Specifically Japanese

– U.S. sends aid to support movement

America Aids the French

• French refuse to give up territory in Vietnam• Ho Chi Minh begins independence movement • France asks for American help• Eisenhower reluctantly agrees – “Domino Theory”• If Vietnam falls to communists, neighboring countries

will eventually fall, too

Geneva Accords

• Divided Vietnam along the 17th parallel – Ho chi Minh in control in north– Pro-western forces in control in south

• French troops leave– America becomes “protector” of south Vietnam

• Ngo Dinh Diem– South Vietnam nationalist leader– Ally of U.S.

America Becomes Involved

• Vietcong– Communist group in South Korea– Assassinated thousands of government officials

• Eisenhower sends hundreds of military advisors to assist South Korean military

Overthrow of Diem

• Diem (Catholic) treats Buddhist religion poorly – Citizens become angry– America continues to support Diem– Military overthrows, kills Diem– South Vietnam becomes weak and disorganized – U.S. becomes more deeply involved

Johnson and Vietnam

• Johnson campaigning for presidency – Was sensitive to accusations he was ‘soft’ on

communism• Republicans blamed Democrats for the fall of China to

communism

• North Vietnam torpedo U.S. ships in Gulf of Tonkin

• Gulf of Tonkin Resolution – President may take “all necessary measures” to

repel any attacks, and stop further aggression

Johnson and Vietnam

• U.S. sends in troops to Vietnam• Vietcong uses guerilla warfare – Hide in cities and jungles

• “Search and Destroy”– U.S. troops develop new tactics • Take away Vietcong’s ability to hide • Napalm: jelly-like gasoline that explodes on contact• Agent Orange: chemical that strips leaves from trees

and shrubs

Johnson and Vietnam

• 1965-1967: 220,000 Vietnamese killed• 1966: 6,700 American soldiers killed• War begins looking like a “stalemate”– No side wins

• American people begin to question U.S involvement in the war