Introductory notes regarding background and presidential involvement in Vietnam.

4. Who rules? CHINA FRANCE Who rules? CHINA JAPAN FRANCE When? Ruler/Occupier Notes 208 B.C.—949 Rich agricultural resources in the Red River Delta 949—1400 the Vietnamese gain limited independence from the Chinese 1400-1428 Again for agricultural and resource purposes, China asserts control In 1428, Le Loi leads guerilla fighters, using methods that would be seen centuries later in wars against the French and the Americans, to take control of Vietnam. 1862—1940 Seeking Asian trade and converts to Catholicism, France’s imperialistic tendencies of the 19 th century gain possession of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia (French Indochina); French Indochina officially becomes a colony in 1867 and a protectorate in 1883 1940—1945 Capitalizing on France’s attention on the Nazis, control of French colonies is loosened, Japan gains military control of French Indochina (Vietnam). With Japan’s defeat in World War II, Japan loses control of Vietnam. Vietnam celebrates its independence. 1946 To the victors go the spoils… France, being on the Allied side of World War II, seeks to regain its imperial territories. America has a choice—France (its ally) or Vietnam (whose situation was similar to ours almost 200 years prior) 1954 ? Geneva Conference divides at the 17 th parallel: the North will be governed by Ho Chi Minh; the South by the non-Communist Ngo Dinh Diem

5. Get your roster! Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) Republic of Vietnam Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) Ho Chi Minh Ngo Dinh Diem Hanoi Saigon Vietminh National Liberation Front (In South, but for North) Pathet Lao United States North South Official name Armies Initial leaders Capital cities Others

6. Truman’s decision On V-J Day (September 2, 1945), the Vietnamese celebrate their independence from France and Japan . A half million people gather to hear Ho Chi Minh speak, where—in an attempt to win US support—he quotes the Declaration of Independence . US army officers celebrate with Vietnamese leaders. Independence would be short-lived as the French sought to re-claim Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh would repeatedly request aid from Truman over the next months.

10. Eisenhower’s Philosophy President Eisenhower subscribes to the idea that if one country falls to Communism, this will lead to other surrounding countries doing the same; this is called the domino theory .

12. 5. Why can’t the French beat the Vietnamese? Guerilla warfare —a method of combat by which small groups of combatants attempt to use mobile and surprise tactics (ambushes, raids, etc) to defeat a foe, often a larger, less mobile, army.

16. North South Ho Chi Minh (Vietminh) Ngo Dinh Diem

23. The situation : “Vietnam was the cornerstone of the Free World in Southeast Asia” --JFK Schlesinger: “The President unquestionably felt that an American retreat in Asia might upset the whole world balance.” Kennedy needs a Cold War win: Space race, Bay of Pigs, Berlin Wall, Vienna Conference

25. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam —advisers can be offensive Green Berets are sent

28. Diem is assassinated Kennedy aid: $1.5 billion; 16,000 “advisors”