Background for “On a Rainy River” by Tim O’Brien

BACKGROUND FOR “ON A RAINY RIVER” BY TIM O’BRIENMonday, October 3rd

Vietnam War

•November 1, 1955 – April 30, 1975•In Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam•Started with the Vietminh wanting to be free from France

•US joined to contain Communism in South Vietnam

Vietnam War

•North Vietnam•Communist•Ruled by Ho Chi Minh•Called Vietminh

•South Vietnam•Anti-Communism•Ruled by Ngo Dinh Diem

Draft •Men register when they turn 18

•18-25 years old

•Based on birthday

•Forced to serve in the US Military

•Required to serve unless you meet certain requirements

USS MADDOX

•A US ship was in international waters near North Vietnam and was attacked.

Gulf of Tonkin

•Suspected of being a false attack on a US ship off the shore of North Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh •Ruler of North Vietnam•Supporter of Communism

Communism

•No social or economic classes

•Work toward the greater good

•Common Ownership

Geneva Accords

•Attempt to unify Korea and Indochina (Southeast Asia)

SEATO •Southeast Asia Treaty Organization

•Created to block further Communist gains in Asia

Cold War •Between the Communist World and the Western World

•Communist World- Soviet Union and its Allies

•Western World- US and its Allies