The document summarizes the history of American involvement in Vietnam. It explains that Vietnam was a French colony until WWII, after which the Vietnamese resisted French rule under Ho Chi Minh. The US initially intervened to prevent a communist takeover of South Vietnam following the Geneva Accords that divided Vietnam in two. Despite US bombing campaigns and growing involvement, popular support for the war declined as the human and financial costs mounted. Ultimately, the US failed to achieve its objectives and withdrew from Vietnam.

1. By The Yorkshire man, The Invaded by
the Invader, and The Warrior

2.  Vietnam was a French Colony since the late
19th Century. After WWII they were drove
out. Later the Japanese took over Vietnam
after the French suffered. After America
Dropped “Little Boy” The Japanese left
Vietnam.
 The French tried to regain control of
Vietnam, however the Vietnamese Resisted
under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh with the
Vietminh army

3.  There are a couple of reasons why America
invaded Vietnam
 Some suggest that it was because of the Gulf
of Tonkin attack
 Others say it was because America didn't
want Vietnam to reunite and create the
„domino‟ effect.

4.  The French tried to regain power ,however
they were defeated at Dien Bien Phu in 1954
 America steps in and says that Ho Chi Minh
can‟t have all of Vietnam so they met in
Geneva in 1954 (with Soviets, China and
Britain) and made an agreement. They had to
divide Vietnam into 2 zones, North and
South. The Northern zone was led by Ho Chi
Minh with the capital Hanoi and the southern
zone was led by Ngo Dinh Diem with the
capital Saigon. After 2 years the people of
Vietnam should vote for one leader and
reunite Vietnam but it never happened.

5. What did they want? What did they get?
USA No Communist gains. Half of Vietnam was not
Communist, half was.
USSR Decreased Cold War
tension as Stalin had
only just died.
Settlement that did not
last.
China Keep US out. Gain
international
recognition.
Recognition, but US
stayed in Southeast
Asia.
France Respite. Retain some
influence in Indochina.
Got out. Hardly retained
any influence.
Ho Chi Minh Control over as much of
Vietnam as possible.
Got Half of Vietnam.
UK Peace in Southeast Asia.
Halt spread to
Communism.
Uneasy, temporary
peace. Communism not
halted.

6.  America formed the SEATO (SouthEast Asia
Treaty Organization) knowing that
Vietnamwould have turned communist if they
let them reunite (with all the Buddhist
population against the Dinh Diem goverment)

8.  It was about a Navy Ship being destroyed by
the North Vietnamese , however there was
no evidence about this
 America blames the Vietnamese and goes in
with support

9.  In February 1965 President Johnson ordered
operation Rolling Thunder to begin
 This is where the US bombarded the
Vietnamese trying to get rid of the jungles
 Agent Orange was used in operation Ranch
Hand

12.  The American people lost faith in
their government after seeing what
how it looked like on television.
 President Nixon said that he could withdraw
his troops but he decided to continue the
Vietnamisation

13.  Vietnam – 500,000 – 1,300,000
 USA – 60,000
 Overall dead – 1,500,000 – 4,000,000
 MANY OTHERS WERE WOUNDED
 From what we found around $132 Billion.
 The USA made a deal for every Vietcong
killed they gave $500,000

15.  Wikipedia!
 www.whatreallyhappened.com
 The USA and Vietnam 1945-75 Third Edition
 Mr Rowsell (wasn't that good)

16.  Who were the Vietminh?
 Who were the Vietcong?
 Describe why the use of Guerrilla tactics was
so effective
 Explain why America were underprepared
 What effect did the Vietnam war have on
everyday life in Vietnam and America?
 What caused America to lose the War
 Why are Americans embarrassed about losing
the war?