The US focuses on Vietnam

Ch. 30 section 1

Early American involvement

• The Growth of Vietnamese Nationalism–Vietnam ruled by France. Official name:

French Indochina (also includes Laos & Cambodia)–Vietnamese leader of nationalist

movement: Ho Chi Minh– In 1930, he is a founder of the Indochinese

Communist Party & worked to overthrow French rule.

• When Japan takes over Vietnam in 1941 during WWII, Ho Chi Minh organizes the Vietminh, which is supported by Allies (incl. USA)

French Rule• When Allies win WWII, Vietnam reverts back

to French control• Vietminh & other nationalists want

independence for Vietnam • Fighting b/w French & Vietminh (1945)

US involvement

• The United States is conflicted:–US does not think France should

control Vietnam–BUT—

–US does not want Vietnam to be Communist either

US involvement c’ued

• Two events make US support France:•China becomes

Communist•Korean War (US is

convinced that the Soviets are trying to make SE Asia Communist)

• Domino Theory- the belief that if one nation falls to Communism, neighboring countries will follow

• By 1954, the US is paying ¾ France’s war costs

Vietminh drive out the French• Vietminh use guerilla warfare-surprise attacks

& sabotage instead of open warfare• Battle of the tiger v. the elephant

"It is the fight between tiger and elephant. If the tiger stands his ground, the elephant will crush him with its mass. But, if he conserves his mobility, he will finally vanquish the elephant, who bleeds from a multitude of cuts.“ ~Ho Chi Minh

Dien Bien Phu• Turning point in war b/w France & Vietminh• May 7, 1954—the Vietminh defeat France in battle of Dien Bien Phu • Fr. withdraws from Vietnam-endof colonialism

Geneva Conference 1954• USSR, USA, France, UK, China, Korea and

Vietnamese delegates discuss future of Indochina

Geneva Accords

Geneva Accords temporarily divide Vietnam along the 17th parallel:•Ho Chi Minh & the Vietminh controls North Vietnam •Democratic government controls South Vietnam

US becomes more involved

• Ngo Dinh Diem becomes leader of South Vietnam and is pro-Democracy anti-Communist

• United States immediately steps in and increases military & economic aid to S. Vietnam

• Vietnam heading for a civil war

Questions on your test from this section

• Why was the Vietminh initially formed?• What 2 events convince Truman to help

France in Vietnam?• What is a result of the battle at Dien Bien Phu?• What is the domino theory?• The Geneva Accords gave control of N.

Vietnam to whom?• When France left Vietnam, why did US step in?