May 17, 2015
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”