Vietnam WarVietnam WarA Background to the WarA Background to the War

Brief History of VietnamBrief History of Vietnam France assumed control over the whole of Vietnam after France assumed control over the whole of Vietnam after

the Franco-Chinese War (1884-1885). French Indochina the Franco-Chinese War (1884-1885). French Indochina was formed in October 1887 from Vietnam, and was formed in October 1887 from Vietnam, and Cambodia, with Laos added in 1893.Cambodia, with Laos added in 1893.

In the early 20th century, Vietnamese patriots realised In the early 20th century, Vietnamese patriots realised that they could not defeat France without modernisation.that they could not defeat France without modernisation.

In 1940, during World War II, Japan invaded Indochina In 1940, during World War II, Japan invaded Indochina The Vietnam Revolutionary League (Vietminh) was The Vietnam Revolutionary League (Vietminh) was

established by Ho Chi Minh while living in China on the established by Ho Chi Minh while living in China on the Vietnam border Vietnam border

With Paris already occupied by Germany, the French With Paris already occupied by Germany, the French troops decided it was not worth putting up a fight and troops decided it was not worth putting up a fight and they surrendered to the Japanese. Ho Chi Minh and his they surrendered to the Japanese. Ho Chi Minh and his fellow nationalists saw this as an opportunity to free fellow nationalists saw this as an opportunity to free their country from foreign domination. Under the military their country from foreign domination. Under the military leadership of General Vo Nguyen Giap, the Vietminh leadership of General Vo Nguyen Giap, the Vietminh began a guerrilla campaign against the Japanese began a guerrilla campaign against the Japanese

The Vietminh received weapons and ammunition The Vietminh received weapons and ammunition from the Soviet Union, and after the bombing of from the Soviet Union, and after the bombing of Pearl Harbour, they also obtained supplies from Pearl Harbour, they also obtained supplies from the United States. During this period the Vietminh the United States. During this period the Vietminh leant a considerable amount about military leant a considerable amount about military tactics which was to prove invaluable in the years tactics which was to prove invaluable in the years that were to follow.that were to follow.

When the Japanese surrendered to the Allies after When the Japanese surrendered to the Allies after the dropping of atom bombs on Hiroshima and the dropping of atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August, 1945, the Vietminh was in a Nagasaki in August, 1945, the Vietminh was in a good position to take over the control of the good position to take over the control of the countrycountry

In 1944-1945, millions of Vietnamese people In 1944-1945, millions of Vietnamese people starved to death in the Japanese occupation of starved to death in the Japanese occupation of Vietnam Vietnam

Who should control Vietnam?Who should control Vietnam? In August 1945, the Japanese surrendered to the In August 1945, the Japanese surrendered to the

Allies, creating a power vacuum in Vietnam.Allies, creating a power vacuum in Vietnam. The Việt Minh launched the "August Revolution" The Việt Minh launched the "August Revolution"

across the country to seize government offices. across the country to seize government offices. Emperor Bảo Ðại abdicated on August 25, 1945, Emperor Bảo Ðại abdicated on August 25, 1945, ending the Nguyễn Dynasty ending the Nguyễn Dynasty

On September 2, 1945 Hồ Chí Minh declared On September 2, 1945 Hồ Chí Minh declared Vietnam independent under the new name of Vietnam independent under the new name of Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) and held Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) and held the position of Chairman.the position of Chairman.

End of French Rule?End of French Rule? In 1947, full scale war broke out between Viet In 1947, full scale war broke out between Viet

Minh and France. Realizing that colonialism was Minh and France. Realizing that colonialism was coming to an end worldwide, France fashioned a coming to an end worldwide, France fashioned a semi-independent State of Vietnam, within the semi-independent State of Vietnam, within the French Union, with Bảo Đại as Head of State French Union, with Bảo Đại as Head of State

As the Communists under Mao Zedong took over As the Communists under Mao Zedong took over China, Viet Minh began to receive military aid China, Viet Minh began to receive military aid from China from China

The United States became strongly opposed to Hồ The United States became strongly opposed to Hồ Chí Minh. In the 1950s the government of Bảo Ðại Chí Minh. In the 1950s the government of Bảo Ðại gained recognition by the United States and the gained recognition by the United States and the United Kingdom. United Kingdom.

The Việt Minh force grew significantly with The Việt Minh force grew significantly with China's assistance China's assistance

Dien Bien PhuDien Bien Phu

As the Civil war dragged on into the As the Civil war dragged on into the 1950s, it became clear that victory was 1950s, it became clear that victory was impossible against a guerrilla force that impossible against a guerrilla force that was often difficult to locate.was often difficult to locate.

By 1953 the French Government was By 1953 the French Government was unwilling to continue the war. French unwilling to continue the war. French public was tired of a war that swallowed public was tired of a war that swallowed up vast sums of money and soldiers.up vast sums of money and soldiers.

The French wanted to withdraw with The French wanted to withdraw with honour and therefore force the honour and therefore force the Vietminh to the negotiation tableVietminh to the negotiation table

The Battle of Dien Bien Phu marked The Battle of Dien Bien Phu marked the end of French involvement in the end of French involvement in Indochina. The Viet Minh and their Indochina. The Viet Minh and their mercurial commander Vo Nguyen mercurial commander Vo Nguyen Giap handed the French a stunning Giap handed the French a stunning military defeat.military defeat.

End of France in AsiaEnd of France in Asia

The Western fear of a The Western fear of a Communist extension in Communist extension in Southeast Asia, named the Southeast Asia, named the Domino Theory by Dwight Domino Theory by Dwight D. Eisenhower during the D. Eisenhower during the Dien Bien Phu siege and the Dien Bien Phu siege and the departure of the French departure of the French from Laos, Cambodia and from Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, was a factor Vietnam, was a factor leading to the direct leading to the direct American intervention in American intervention in South Vietnam.South Vietnam.

Geneva Agreements 1954Geneva Agreements 1954 Arranged a settlement which brought an end to Arranged a settlement which brought an end to

the French war in Indochina. the French war in Indochina. A ceasefire was signed and French forces agreed A ceasefire was signed and French forces agreed

to withdraw from the region.to withdraw from the region. Vietnam was to be temporarily divided along the Vietnam was to be temporarily divided along the

1717thth Parallel until elections could be held to unite Parallel until elections could be held to unite the country.the country.

These elections were never heldThese elections were never held Vietminh established a Communist state in the Vietminh established a Communist state in the

North.North. The South was ruled by a right-wing government The South was ruled by a right-wing government

with US support. with US support.