Chapter 23.1 Background to Conflict in Vietnam

Before the US got involved in Vietnam China and France both

fought for it.

Chinese Occupation of Vietnam 200 BC – 939 AD

China controlled Vietnam Wanted their

farm land

Could grow lots of rice!!!

Vietnam Rice Paddies

French Colonization

1883 France takes control of

Vietnam Expanded there during

European Imperialism

Combined 3 countries to become French Indochina Vietnam Laos Cambodia

Vietnamese Independence

Though controlled by French Vietnam hated France! Wanted independence!

1920s Ho Chi Minh

Vietnamese leader who is willing to fight for independence Problem

He’s Communist!!

Ho Chi Minh has a Chance 1940’s

Ho Chi Minh wanted to start a revolution against French! Didn’t have too!

Japanese had expanded into Vietnam during WWII! Defeated French for them!

1945 Japanese surrender in WWII

Ho Chi Minh declares Vietnam an independent nation!

Small Problem…..

1946 France doesn’t want to give Vietnam up!

They want their rice! Have USA political support.

Ho Chi Minh starts his resistance movement called Vietminh. Based on Communist principles.

This is bad…

What should the USA do?

Nothing….so things change in Asia. 1949

Mao makes China Communist!

1950 USA invades N. Korea to stop Communism from

spreading!

Communism already spread to Indonesia Philippines

America has to make a choice. 1954

USA is fighting to a stalemate in Korea Cease fire called at 38th Parallel

France is losing to Ho Chi Minh’s Vietminh Just lost major battle at Dien Bien Phu

City in northern Vietnam

May 7, 1954 France surrenders to Vietminh

Domino theory If one country falls to Communism, they will all fall like dominoes!

What do we do???

The Geneva Convention

May 8, 1945 International conference called for in Geneva, Switzerland

Need to settle conflict in Indochina. Meeting led by China, USSR, USA, and Great Britain

China, USSR Wanted Communism to rule.

USA, Great Britain Wanted capitalism to rule.

What do you think happens?

Vietnam, 1956Divided at 17th Parallel