Where is Vietnam?Where is Vietnam?Starter activity

starter activity

This photograph taken during the height of the Vietnam War shows a ten-year-old girl who has torn off her burning clothes following a US napalm attack on her village. This became one of the most enduring images of the war. Why?

Your taskYour task

““No event in American history is more No event in American history is more misunderstood than the Vietnam War.misunderstood than the Vietnam War.

It was misreported then, and it is It was misreported then, and it is misremembered now.”misremembered now.”

Richard M. Nixon, 1985Richard M. Nixon, 1985

Why do you Vietnam is misreported and misremembered?

What were the What were the origins of conflict origins of conflict

in Vietnam?in Vietnam?

Your taskYour task Read p.4-5 in ‘Vietnam’ by Philip Read p.4-5 in ‘Vietnam’ by Philip

Sauvain & p.71-2 in ‘Modern World Sauvain & p.71-2 in ‘Modern World History’ and try to find out the History’ and try to find out the following:following:

What is the connection between FraWhat is the connection between France and Vietnam (Indo-China)?nce and Vietnam (Indo-China)?

Who were the Vietminh?Who were the Vietminh? Who was Ho Chi Who was Ho Chi MinhMinh?? Why did America support French rulWhy did America support French rul

e?e?

What is the connection What is the connection between France and between France and

Vietnam (Indo-China)?Vietnam (Indo-China)? 1870s & 1880s, 1870s & 1880s,

French conquer Indo-French conquer Indo-ChinaChina

Divided into 3 Divided into 3 territories: Tongking, territories: Tongking, Cochin China & Cochin China & AnnamAnnam

Puppet Emperor, Bao Puppet Emperor, Bao DaiDai

July 1941, French July 1941, French submitted to Japansubmitted to Japan

What problems do you think the French had in governing Indo-China?

Who were the Vietminh?Who were the Vietminh? 1941, Ho Chi Minh 1941, Ho Chi Minh

founded ‘League for the founded ‘League for the Independence of Independence of Vietnam’ aka VietminhVietnam’ aka Vietminh

Broad political Broad political membership (men & membership (men & women)women)

Used Used guerrillaguerrilla tactics to tactics to ambush enemyambush enemy

Led by General Vo Led by General Vo Nguyen Giap (former Nguyen Giap (former history teacher)history teacher)

Female guerrilla fighters for Vietminh. Why were

they so effective?

Who was Ho Chi Minh?Who was Ho Chi Minh? Name means, ‘Ho Name means, ‘Ho

the Enlightener’the Enlightener’ Chef in London, Chef in London,

political activist in political activist in France & USFrance & US

Trained at Stalin Trained at Stalin School for the School for the Toilers of the EastToilers of the East

Lead independence Lead independence movement against movement against French & JapaneseFrench & Japanese

Ho Chi Minh, 1890-1969. Why was he so widely admired, even in the

West?

Why did America support Why did America support French rule?French rule?

2 September 1942, Ho Chi Minh announced 2 September 1942, Ho Chi Minh announced victory over Japan & French & foundation of victory over Japan & French & foundation of Democratic Republic of VietnamDemocratic Republic of Vietnam

‘‘domino theory’ led US to support French domino theory’ led US to support French colonialismcolonialism

Do you think there was a greater threat from Communism in Asia compared with Eastern Europe?

Why did the French Why did the French fight the Vietminh fight the Vietminh between 1946 and between 1946 and

1954?1954?

Your taskYour task Read Sauvain, p.6-7 and find out the Read Sauvain, p.6-7 and find out the

following:following: What was the What was the HaiphongHaiphong incident? incident? What sorts of tactics did What sorts of tactics did GiapGiap

use against the French? use against the French? How did Vietnamese feel about French How did Vietnamese feel about French

rule?rule? How did US involvement increase?How did US involvement increase?

What was the Haiphong What was the Haiphong incident?incident?

29 November 1946, Vietminh attack French troops 29 November 1946, Vietminh attack French troops in Haiphong Harbour causing 29 deathsin Haiphong Harbour causing 29 deaths

French warship Suffren shelled Haiphong killing French warship Suffren shelled Haiphong killing 6,000 Vietnamese6,000 Vietnamese

Retaliation by Vietminh on colonialists 3 weeks laterRetaliation by Vietminh on colonialists 3 weeks later

Haiphong, before

Haiphong, after

What sorts of tactics did What sorts of tactics did Giap use against the Giap use against the

French?French? Guerilla tactics – ambush, attacks on isolated French Guerilla tactics – ambush, attacks on isolated French

outpostsoutposts Avoided face to face combatAvoided face to face combat Vietminh controlled jungles, French controlled citiesVietminh controlled jungles, French controlled cities Giap could use manual labour to move guns and ammunitionsGiap could use manual labour to move guns and ammunitions 1949, Mao Zedong supplied Vietminh with modern weapons1949, Mao Zedong supplied Vietminh with modern weapons

mines., booby traps ambush

How did Vietnamese feel How did Vietnamese feel about French rule?about French rule?

Emperor Bao Dai Emperor Bao Dai reinstatedreinstated

Many Vietnamese Many Vietnamese preferred French preferred French rule (esp. rule (esp. Catholics)Catholics)

General De Lattre General De Lattre inflicted series of inflicted series of damaging defeats damaging defeats on Vietminhon Vietminh

Emperor Bao Dai

General De Lattre

How did US involvement How did US involvement increase?increase?

US detested US detested imperialism, but imperialism, but viewed conflict in viewed conflict in context of domino context of domino theory of Cold War theory of Cold War politicspolitics

John Foster Dulles, US John Foster Dulles, US Sec. of State, ‘If you Sec. of State, ‘If you don’t quit, we won’t don’t quit, we won’t quit’quit’

Eisenhower refused Eisenhower refused French request for US French request for US aircraft & servicemenaircraft & servicemen

Eisenhower

John Foster Dulles

What happened What happened at Dien Bien Phu at Dien Bien Phu

(1954)?(1954)?

Your taskYour task Read Sauvain, p.8-9, and answer the Read Sauvain, p.8-9, and answer the

following questions:following questions: What was the battle plan?What was the battle plan? Why were the Vietminh successful in deWhy were the Vietminh successful in de

feating the French?feating the French? What was the impact of France’s defeatWhat was the impact of France’s defeat

??

What was the battle What was the battle plan?plan?

1954, General 1954, General Navarre wanted to Navarre wanted to tempt Vietminh out tempt Vietminh out of hiding into open of hiding into open combatcombat

Dien Bien Phu Dien Bien Phu controlled key controlled key routes between routes between Vietnam , Vietnam , Cambodia & LaosCambodia & Laos

Why were the Vietminh Why were the Vietminh successful in defeating the successful in defeating the

French?French? Vietminh used peasant army to Vietminh used peasant army to

manoeuvre artillery into hillsmanoeuvre artillery into hills Vietminh infantry overran French Vietminh infantry overran French

defences on plateau belowdefences on plateau below

What was the impact of What was the impact of France’s defeat?France’s defeat?

Ended French plans to hold onto Ended French plans to hold onto Indo-ChinaIndo-China

Agreed to Vietminh demands Agreed to Vietminh demands (Geneva Agreement, 1954)(Geneva Agreement, 1954)

Navarre blamed US for lack of Navarre blamed US for lack of military supportmilitary support

US minister for Far East affairs US minister for Far East affairs predicted increased US involvementpredicted increased US involvement

How significant How significant were the terms of were the terms of

the Geneva the Geneva Agreement (1954)?Agreement (1954)?

Your taskYour task Use Sauvain p10-11to research the Use Sauvain p10-11to research the

following areas:following areas: What were the terms?What were the terms? How did the US react?How did the US react? What were the effects?What were the effects?

What were the terms?What were the terms? Independence to Independence to

Laos, Cambodia & Laos, Cambodia & VietnamVietnam

Vietnam temporarily Vietnam temporarily split along 17split along 17thth parallel, with parallel, with demilitarized zonedemilitarized zone

ArmisticeArmistice Democratic Democratic

electionselections

How did the US react?How did the US react? US very critical of FrenchUS very critical of French French PM, Pierre Mendes-France, described as French PM, Pierre Mendes-France, described as

a ‘peace-at-any-price-man’ by USa ‘peace-at-any-price-man’ by US US & South Vietnamese (French supporters US & South Vietnamese (French supporters

during conflict against Vietminh) refused to sign, during conflict against Vietminh) refused to sign, but agreed to support armistice & electionsbut agreed to support armistice & elections

Do you think the French really had an alternative?

What were the effects of the What were the effects of the Geneva Agreement?Geneva Agreement?

North Vietnam controlled by Ho Chi North Vietnam controlled by Ho Chi Minh & VietminhMinh & Vietminh

South Vietnam controlled by Bao Dai South Vietnam controlled by Bao Dai (President), & Ngo Dinh Diem (PM)(President), & Ngo Dinh Diem (PM)

1957, Ngo Dinh Diem became 1957, Ngo Dinh Diem became President of S.Vietnam, but refused President of S.Vietnam, but refused elections since N. Vietnam would not elections since N. Vietnam would not hold themhold them

Containing the Containing the spread of spread of

CommunismCommunismHow and why did the US How and why did the US

become involved in Vietnam, become involved in Vietnam, 1954-641954-64

Read p. 12 – 15 and take notes on Read p. 12 – 15 and take notes on the following areas:the following areas: US attitudes to CommunismUS attitudes to Communism Who was Ngo Dinh Diem and why were Who was Ngo Dinh Diem and why were

his methods of governing so unpopular?his methods of governing so unpopular? How did US increase its support in this How did US increase its support in this

period?period? What was the Domino theory?What was the Domino theory? Who were the Vietcong?Who were the Vietcong?

US attitudes to US attitudes to CommunismCommunism

Communist witchhunts (Senator McCarthy)Communist witchhunts (Senator McCarthy) 30,000 US troops killed in Korea in fight against 30,000 US troops killed in Korea in fight against

Communism (parallels with Vietnam)Communism (parallels with Vietnam) SEATO (South-East Asia Treaty Organisation) – pledged SEATO (South-East Asia Treaty Organisation) – pledged

to protect SE Asian countries against spread of to protect SE Asian countries against spread of CommunismCommunism

SEATO leaders in Philippines,

1966

Ngo Dinh DiemNgo Dinh Diem Ousted Emperor Bao Ousted Emperor Bao

Dai & appointed Dai & appointed himself Presdienthimself Presdient

Refused to hold Refused to hold electionselections

Crushed suspected Crushed suspected Communists Communists mercilesslymercilessly

Appointed relatives to Appointed relatives to positions of powerpositions of power

Limited rights of Limited rights of BuddhistsBuddhists

Ngo Dinh Diem, President of Republic of South

Vietnam

Ngo Dinh DiemNgo Dinh Diem Failure of strategic Failure of strategic

hamlets programmehamlets programme Policies favouring Policies favouring

Roman Catholics Roman Catholics rather than rather than BuddhistsBuddhists

1963, Diem & his 1963, Diem & his brother brother assassinated by assassinated by ARVNARVN

Buddhist monk in flames in protest at Diem’s oppressive

policies towards religion

Ngo Dinh Diem

US supportUS support Nov. 1954, Eisenhower sent 17 officers to Nov. 1954, Eisenhower sent 17 officers to

Saigon (capital of S.Vietnam) to train ARVN Saigon (capital of S.Vietnam) to train ARVN (Army of Republic of Saigon)(Army of Republic of Saigon)

By Jan. 1961, 685By Jan. 1961, 685 By 1963, 16,000 ‘advisers’By 1963, 16,000 ‘advisers’

ARVN troops

Domino theoryDomino theory Theory that when one country turns Theory that when one country turns

Communist its neighbours follow Communist its neighbours follow suitsuit

US feared Thailand & Malaya risked US feared Thailand & Malaya risked turning Communistturning Communist

1949, Chinese Revolution had NOT 1949, Chinese Revolution had NOT caused neighbouring countries to caused neighbouring countries to turn Communist immediatelyturn Communist immediately

VietcongVietcong Communists in Communists in

south forned south forned VietcongVietcong

By 1961, 20,000 By 1961, 20,000 soldierssoldiers

By 1964, 100,000By 1964, 100,000 ARVN unable to ARVN unable to

provide adequate provide adequate security for S. security for S. VietnamVietnam

Member of National Front for the Liberation of South

Vietnam, NLF, aka Vietcong (Vietnamese Communists)

How did the war How did the war escalate between escalate between

1964-67?1964-67?Gulf of Tonkin incidentGulf of Tonkin incident

USS Maddox

Read p.16-17 and answer the following questionsRead p.16-17 and answer the following questions How did President Johnson’s views on the war How did President Johnson’s views on the war

change?change? Why was the attack on Pleiku significant?Why was the attack on Pleiku significant? What was Operation Rolling Thunder?What was Operation Rolling Thunder? Who were the NVA?Who were the NVA?

President JohnsonPresident Johnson Knew little about conflict Knew little about conflict

(took over presidency (took over presidency after assassination of after assassination of Kennedy, 1963)Kennedy, 1963)

Vietnam was “the biggest Vietnam was “the biggest damn mess I ever saw!”damn mess I ever saw!”

Aug. 1964, Gulf of Aug. 1964, Gulf of Tonking resolution Tonking resolution enable US “to take all enable US “to take all necessary measures” to necessary measures” to defend US interests in defend US interests in VietnamVietnam

US President, Lyndon B. Johnson

PleikuPleiku

Vietcong attack US airbaseVietcong attack US airbase 10 aircraft destroyed, 8 US ‘advisers’ killed, 10 aircraft destroyed, 8 US ‘advisers’ killed,

100 casualties100 casualties US public opinion supported direct retaliationUS public opinion supported direct retaliation

Aftermath of the attack,

Feb. 1965

Rolling thunderRolling thunder Joint attack by US & Joint attack by US &

ARVN on key military ARVN on key military & industrial targets & industrial targets in North Vietnamin North Vietnam

Hanoi & Haiphong Hanoi & Haiphong initially excluded for initially excluded for fear of aggravating fear of aggravating USSRUSSR

3,500 US marines 3,500 US marines sent to Danang (no sent to Danang (no longer described as longer described as ‘advisers’)‘advisers’)

Phantom fighter, one of the types of strike planes used by

the US

NVANVA Regular North Vietnam ArmyRegular North Vietnam Army Fought in larger units than Vietgong guerrillasFought in larger units than Vietgong guerrillas Less successful, suffered significant defeats at Less successful, suffered significant defeats at

hands of US AVRNhands of US AVRN

NVA tank unit

attacking US embassy in

Saigon