The Vietnam Conflict 1950-1975.
The goals of the US- containment. North wanted to be all communism.
The French Connection:
France had gained control of Indochina in a series of colonial wars in the mid-late 1800's.
During WW!!, Chivy France worked with Japanese forces in controlling Indochina during WWII.
After the Japanese surrender, the French fought to retain control of their former colony against the Viet Minh independence movement, led by Communist Party leader Ho Chi Minh.
Geneva Conference- 1954.
Vietnam was partitioned temporarily into a Northern and a Southern zone of Vietnam at the 17th parallel. The north was to be ruled by Ho Chi Minh while the South would be under the control of Emperor Bao Dai.
The Geneva Conference (1954) set up elections to unify the country by July, 1956. Such elections were never held because neither side wanted to loose.
The US Armed Forces, The Army of Republic of Viet Nam vs. NLF, South Viet. Vietcong.
Escalation: President Truman began US involvement by sending money to help the French
President Eisenhower continued US support by sending military advisors to give temporary support to Diem's government in the South.
President Kennedy continues sending advisers as well as special operation forces. (green berets)
President Johnson sent more and more combat forces.
Deim cs. the Buddhists.
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution: Several US shops were supposedly attacked by North Vietnamese torpedoes in the Gulf of Tonkin. Most experts today do not think the shops were attacked. This was Johnson's plot to get more involved in Vietnam. Only two people in Congress voted against him.
This was an election year. He played the people. Lunar New Year festival which is the most important Vietnamese holiday in South Vietnam. American public's faith was shattered, on January 30, 1968, when the enemy.
Nixon called for the "Vietnamization" of the war. Were going to pull out and let the Viet fight it themselves. "Peace with Honor" South is not communist anymore. Gradually pull US troops out and train the ARVN to take our place in fighting in the North. Expanded the war into Laos and Cambodia leading to college protests. (Kent St.)
Fighting slopped. US would pull out of Vietnam. North and South Vietnam would recognize each other's independence.
The peace agreement did not last. In March 1975, the North invaded the South. The South was not strong enough and fell quickly. Saigon, the South's capital fell on April 30, 1975. US did not live up to it's promise to come to their and if the North attacked. North Vietnam united both North and South Vietnam on July 2, 196 to form the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Saigon was re-named Ho Chi Minh City in horror of the former president of North Vietnam. Vietnam is still communist today.
US: 58,202.
ARVN: 223, 748
NVA/VS: 1,100,000.
60 days and the president could do as they please with the war, and soldiers but after 60 days than congress can take a vote and decide what is the best.
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