The document summarizes key events in Vietnam between 1954-1975, starting with France becoming the colonial power in Vietnam in the 1800s. It discusses the rise of Ho Chi Minh and the Viet Minh fighting for Vietnamese independence after World War 2. The US became increasingly involved to prevent the spread of communism, but their bombing campaigns and use of defoliants like Agent Orange failed to weaken the Viet Cong insurgency. By 1975, the Viet Cong defeated South Vietnam and unified the country under communist rule.

1. VIETNAM
1954-1975

2. French Indo-China
 1800s France becomes colonial power
in Vietnam
 Japan Controls during WWII
 Vietminh
 League formed by Ho Chi Minh
 Communist sympathizer

3. French Indo-China
 1800s France becomes colonial power
in Vietnam
 Japan Controls during WWII
 Vietminh
 League formed by Ho Chi Minh
 Communist sympathizer
Vietnam
LaosCambodia
French Indochina

4. Ho Chi Minh
 “He who Enlightens”
 Real Name: Nguyen
That Thanh
 Participated in Tax
revolts
 Wanted Free
Vietnam

5. After WWII
 Prevent Communist Expansion
--containment
 “Domino Theory” – Eisenhower
 US paying 75% of War Cost
 French Losing

6. Defeated French
 Dien Bien Phu
 Jungle fortress in Vietnam
 Signaled the end of French/European
Influence in Asia
 NO US help – Too soon?
 Vietnminh Experience
 Captured 11,721 men

7. Geneva Conference
 Work out peace agreement & decide
Indochina’s future
 Geneva Accords (Temporary)
 Cease Fire
 17th
Parallel (DMZ)
 July 1956 – General Elections

8. Vietnam Leaders

9. Ngo Dinh Diem
 South Vietnam
 Anti-Communist
 Corrupt Gov
 Favored Catholics
 Cancelled 1956
Election

10. Ho Chi Minh
 North Vietnam
 Totalitarian
 Gave land to
Peasants
 Wanted Unified
Vietnam

11. Civil War – Vietnam
 National Liberation Front (Vietcong aka
“Charlie”)
 Vietnamese Communist in South
 Killed Southern Officials

12. Diem’s Overthrow
 Arrested & Killed Buddhist Monks
 US Threatens to withdraw
 Diem refuses to change
 US supports overthrow
 NOV 1963
 Diem Assassinated

13. US Involvement
 EisenhowerEisenhower
 Send

$ & weapons

Advisors to
train
 KennedyKennedy
 Increase
Advisors
JohnsonJohnson
Expanded Effort
Tonkin Gulf
Resolution

14. Gulf of Tonkin
 USS Maddox was attacked by torpedo
boats off coast of North Vietnam
 Two Naval Battles ensued
 2nd
attack was announced by LBJ
 Not accurate
 US was on spy mission (we provoked)

15. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
 Gave complete
control to President
LBJ
 Without approval
from congress

16. US Enters Vietnam

17. Operation Rolling Thunder
 Continuous bombing campaign for 3
years
 Did Nothing but damage country
 Downed Planes: POW’s

18. Air Strikes
 US introduces B-52 Bomber
 Saturation Bombing “Carpet Bombing”

Dropped thousands of Explosives on
North Vietnam
 Fragmentation Bombing “Cluster Bombs”

Explosive projecting metal shavings
 Target: Ho Chi Minh Trail

19. Ho Chi Minh Trail
 Supply route
through Laos
and
Cambodia to
aid V.C.

20. Agent Orange
 Pesticide to kill plants (Defoliant)
 Goal: Expose hiding places

21. Napalm
 Chemical agent that burns
uncontrollably
 Search and Destroy Strategy

22. Effects of Air Bombing
1. Strengthened V.C.
2. Soviets & China support V.C.
3. Led to South Vietnamese joining the
V.C.