When? Ruler/Occupier Notes

208 B.C.—949 Rich agricultural resources in the Red River Delta

949—1400 the Vietnamese gain limited independence from the Chinese1400-1428 Again for agricultural and resource purposes, China asserts

control

In 1428, Le Loi leads guerilla fighters, using methods that would be seen centuries later in wars against the French and the Americans, to take control of Vietnam.

1862—1940 Seeking Asian trade and converts to Catholicism, France’s imperialistic tendencies of the 19th century gain possession of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia (French Indochina); French Indochina officially becomes a colony in 1867 and a protectorate in 1883

1940—1945 Capitalizing on France’s attention on the Nazis, control of French colonies is loosened, Japan gains military control of French Indochina (Vietnam).

With Japan’s defeat in World War II, Japan loses control of Vietnam. Vietnam celebrates its independence.

1946 To the victors go the spoils… France, being on the Allied side of World War II, seeks to regain its imperial territories. America has a choice—France (its ally) or Vietnam (whose situation was similar to ours almost 200 years prior)

1954 ? Geneva Conference divides at the 17th parallel: the North will be governed by Ho Chi Minh; the South by the non-Communist Ngo Dinh Diem

Who rules?

CHINA

FRANCE

Who rules?

CHINA

JAPAN

FRANCE

North South

Official name

Armies

Initial leaders

Capital cities

Others

Get your roster!

Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV)

People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN)

Republic of Vietnam

Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN)

Ho Chi Minh Ngo Dinh Diem

Hanoi Saigon

Vietminh

National Liberation Front (In South, but for

North)

Pathet Lao

United States

Truman’s decisionOn V-J Day (September 2, 1945), the

Vietnamese celebrate their independence from France and Japan. A half million people gather

to hear Ho Chi Minh speak, where—in an attempt to win US support—he quotes the

Declaration of Independence. US army officers celebrate with Vietnamese leaders.

Independence would be short-lived as the French sought to re-claim Vietnam. Ho Chi

Minh would repeatedly request aid from Truman over the next months.

1.Who does Truman (and the US) ultimately support?

A. The French

B. The Vietnamese

2. Why?

• Fear of global spread of communism• Policy of containment: provide resistance where communism seeks to expand• Truman Doctrine: provide aid to subjugated people• France is an ally in the fight against communism

3. How?

• 300 advisers; $3 billion

Eisenhower’s Philosophy

President Eisenhower subscribes to the idea that if one country falls to Communism, this will lead to other

surrounding countries doing the same; this is called the domino theory.

4.Why was Vietnam important?

• Resources to aid modern economy• Strategically important geographically

• Eisenhower will send money but not troops to support the French.

5. Why can’t the French beat the Vietnamese?

Guerilla warfare—a method of combat by which small groups of combatants attempt to use mobile and surprise tactics (ambushes, raids, etc) to defeat a foe, often a larger, less mobile, army.

6. What was significant about Dien Bien Phu?

• Conventional battle• Vietnamese rout French• France is done in Vietnam

The aftermath of Dien Bien Phu: the Geneva conference

• The dividing line: the 17th parallel

North South

Ho Chi Minh (Vietminh) Ngo Dinh Diem

• Aid under Eisenhower: 700 advisers; $7 billion

Geneva Conference

17th parallel No FOREIGN TROOP involvement Internationally supervised ELECTIONS to be held in 1956

o US DID NOT SIGN

Diem as a leader

Catholic in a Buddhist nation (90%) Imprisoned opponents Gave family members prominent positions Favored wealthy

Election held in South Vietnam in 1955

Fraud: out of 450,000 voters, Diem received 605,000 VOTES Green vs. red Brutality for not voting a certain way

• “Our choice was between a bad government that was friendly and a worse government that was hostile

toward us.” –Walter Judd

• “the Churchill of Asia”

• “Sh--, Diem’s the only boy we got out there.” --LBJ

Strategic Hamlet Program

Population transfer: isolate peasants from NLF By 1962, 4.3 million people in 3,225 hamlets By 1963, 8.5 million people in 7,205 hamlets Failed: No defense; no sympathy

Laos is essential

The situation: “Vietnam was the cornerstone of the Free World in Southeast Asia”

--JFK

Schlesinger: “The President unquestionably felt that an American retreat in Asia might upset the whole world

balance.”

Kennedy needs a Cold War win: Space race, Bay of Pigs, Berlin Wall, Vienna Conference

The situation: “Vietnam was the cornerstone of the Free World in Southeast Asia”

--JFK

Schlesinger: “The President unquestionably felt that an American retreat in Asia might upset the whole world

balance.”

Kennedy needs a Cold War win: Space race, Bay of Pigs, Berlin Wall, Vienna Conference

Laos: Soviets aiding Pathet Lao• JFK responds:

Fleet to South China Sea Advisors in Laos should wear military uniforms 5,000 advisors to Thailand in 1962

Military Assistance Command, Vietnam—advisers can be offensive

Green Berets are sent

Diem being Diem

• Could not fly Buddhist flag to celebrate Buddha’s birthday• SV troops fire and kill 9 unarmed Buddhists• Quang Duc: Immolation• Insensitivity: Madane Nhu—barbeque show

Diem is assassinated

Kennedy aid: $1.5 billion; 16,000 “advisors”