Vietnam

Containment, Domino Theory

Vietnam

The Domino Theory was that if North Vietnam won the war then Laos Cambodia and the rest of Asia will turn communist. America and south Vietnam did not wan to be communist and let it spread throughout Asia.

What is a just war?

A just war is that:-- A good intention should be behind it- It should be a last resort- There must be a chance of successHow should a just war be fought:--innocent people should not be harmed - Only appropriate force should be used- Internationally agreed conventions regulating

war must be obeyed

History of Vietnam• Once a Colony of France –

rubber, tin & rice• Part of French Indochina

– Cambodia– Laos– Vietnam

• Japanese capture during WWII

• French return to claim colony after Japan’s defeat

IntroductionThe Vietnam war occurred in Vietnam. Laos and

Cambodia during 1959 and 30 april1975. the war started when communist north Vietnam tried to take over the republic of south Vietnam. It was the longest war America ad ever fought in and it lasted 15 years.

North Vietnam wanted to take over South Vietnam. If they succeeded then it’ll be likely that Laos and Cambodia will turn Communist.

Laos and Cambodia might’ve turned Communist because they are so vulnerable

FOR:- it’ll help South Vietnamjustice may be broughtThere wont be any communismThe Domino Theory was that if

south Vietnam became communist then all the other Asian countries will become against.

The Americans had more weapons, machine guns, rockets, launchers, tanks and helicopters.

The war established peace and stability.

AGAINST:-Vietnam could fight for

themselvesThe U.S used napalm which

killed 400 000 innocent civiliansNo one in America supported

the war as it used unnecessary force which massacred the whole village

William Kaylie was responsible for the killing of loads of civilians. He was imprisoned for life. most of South Vietnam didn't support the U.S

Many Americans staged anti-war protest

Vietnam• Ho Chi Min – Communist

leader-Fought side by side inWW2 against Japan.Countries have no allies ……..

• declares Vietnamese independence in 1945– Goals:

• Independent Vietnam• Unified Vietnam• Land Reform

Truman Years

• US Policy – 1950-1956– Containment and

Truman Doctine

• Provide military aid to French to defeat the Communist Vietminh

• French Lose

Geneva Peace Talks

• Vietnam divided at 17th Parallel

• North – Communist– Leader Ho Chi Min– Gained Popularity through land

reform

• South – Non-Communist Dictator– Leader - Ngo Dinh Diem– Refuses Land Reform

• Unification pending free elections

Eisenhower Years

• Policy of Containment

• Domino Theory – Fall of Vietnam would lead

Other countries in SE Asia to fall

• U.S. sends $ to aid South Vietnam in resisting Communism

The Kennedy Years• Sends military advisors and $

to South Vietnam• Diem’s corrupt govt.

unpopular• Military coup - Diem

Assassinated • Civil War

Vietcong – Communist in S.V. aided by Vietminh in N.V./USSR vs.

non communist in S.V/US

Johnson Years• Gulf of Tonkin

Incident – US boats torpedoed by N. Vietnam

• Gulf of Tonkin Resolution – Congress gives Johnson authority to send troops– 1965 – 165,000– 1968 – 500,000

• War unpopular in US

Nixon Years

Vietnamization – Train S.V. troops to replace US troops

• Massive bombings - put pressure on N. Vietnamese to end the war

• Starts to bring troops home

Ending the War

• Vietminh agree to ceasefire

• 1973 - Last US troops leave

• 1975 – N. Vietnamese invade S. Vietnam

• S. Vietnam SurrendersVietnam becomes a

unified communist country

Costs of Vietnam War

• 57,000 US Soldiers Dead

• 2 Million Vietnamese Dead

• 150B Financial Cost

• US loses First War• Reluctance to

commit US troops over seas

Vietnam Today• Remains a

Communist Country

• Unified – no longer North and South

• US ended trade embargo in 1994

• US established diplomatic relations in 1995