Viet Nam – A Background

Distance between Washington, D.C. and Hanoi, Viet Nam: 8,298 miles

History of Foreign invaders:

A. Chinese – 111 B.C. – conquer northern Viet Nam

Chinese culture dominates much of Viet Nam:

Rice growing

Buddhism

Chinese writing

Viet Nam becomes independent by 1700

B. France invades in the mid 1800s

1893 – French have taken over Viet Nam, Cambodia, Laos

French improve Viet Nam – built roads, ports, etc.

Introduced Roman Catholicism

Put down opposition to French rule – censorship, secret police, killed Vietnamese nationalists, etc.

Revolts, strikes against French occur during 1930s:

Led by communists under leadership of Ho Chi Minh:(had formed Indochinese Communist Party in 1930)

1941 – communists, other nationalists combine – form the “League for Vietnamese Independence” – commonly known as theVietminh

A. Japan occupies Viet Nam during WWIIU. S. helps Vietminh – in exchange, U.S. gains info on Japanese movements

POST WWII:

A. 1945 – Vietminh proclaim independence for Viet Nam

French return

Ho Chi Minh appeals to Pres. Truman for help

U.S. ignores the plea – Vietminh is a communist group

1946 – war breaks out – Vietminh vs. French

1949 – French set up a puppet gov’t. – headed by Bao Dai:

1950 – Ho Chi Minh launches a huge offensive -

Receives aid from China (communist as of 1949)

B. President Truman’s role:

Fear of communism – communist China, Korean conflict, McCarthyism, etc.

Increased aid to the French

C. President Eisenhower’s role:

Believes in “domino theory”

Again increases aid to the French

D. 1954 – Dien Bien Phu:

Vietminh finally defeat FrenchEisenhower refused to help the French -

Fear of Soviet/Chinese retaliation, didn’t want to act w/o approval of Congress

E. Geneva Accords – 1954:

Cease-fire agreed upon

Viet Nam is divided at 17th parallel

North – led by Ho Chi Minh

South – led by Bao Dai

Elections to be held in 1956 – will unify Viet Nam

Laos, Cambodia will become independent

F. Bao Dai is overthrown by Ngo Dinh Diem:

Strong anti-communist leader (will receive U.S. support)

Refused to hold elections – knew Ho Chi Minh would win

Antagonized many S. Vietnamese – imprisoned opposition, restricted Buddhist practices, etc.

G. Formation of National Liberation Front (Vietcong)

Launched guerilla campaign against Diem

Made up of Vietminh, Buddhists, nationalists, liberals who wanted freedoms

Supported by Ho Chi Minh – By 1959, he will supply arms to NLF via the Ho Chi Minh trail:

Diem’s response – “strategic hamlet program”: relocate entire villagesCauses Vietcong to gain support – ancestor worship is common

H. President Kennedy’s role:

Increases aid to Diem - containment

Sends U.S. “military advisors” to aid Diem - 1963

I. Diem is overthrown:

Buddhists protest Diem’s oppressive rule

Military coup – 11/1/1963 – U.S. “looks the other way”Several governments follow, none muchbetter than Diem’s

J. Tonkin Gulf Resolution:

LBJ – concerned about U. S. credibility

Saw Vietminh/Vietcong as Chinese “puppets”

July, 1964 – N. Viet Nam claims U.S. helped S. Viet Nam attack islands

8/2/1964 – N. Vietnamese “attack” American destroyer, the Maddox:

Second attack occurs 2 days later

8/7/1964 – Tonkin Gulf Resolution – provides “blank check” for President

Feb. 1965 – Johnson begins “Operation Rolling Thunder” – bombing campaign

March, 1965 – first U.S. combat troops arrive in South Viet Nam

Five general reasons that leaders choose to commit their nations to war:(“The Five Ps”)

1. POWER

2. PRESTIGE

3. PRINCIPLES

4. PROFIT

5. PROTECTION

Starr, Gerald M. “The Lessons of the Vietnam War”. Center for Social Studies Education. Pittsburgh, 2002. Pp. 29-30

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