Do Now

I volunteered….Ever since the American Revolution my family had people in all the different wars, and that was always the thing- when your country needs

you, you go. You don’t ask a lot of questions.” -Vietnam Soldier

Respond to the above quote. Do you Agree or disagree with this soldier’s motives for going to war? Why? What Does it mean to serve your country? ListAnd explain reasons you would fight and Die in a war.

The Vietnam War

1954 - 1975

The Vietnam War

1954 - 1975

AIM: Why did the United States go to War with Vietnam?

AIM: Why did the United States go to War with Vietnam?

I. Vietnam: Overview

The Vietnam War was the longest War in American history and the only War the United States lost. During WWII most Americans had felt deeply proud of their participation in the war. Vietnam became a study in limits for American Citizens: the limit of their country’s power and of their country’s government. This painful awakening remained long in America’s

memory, and shaped US foreign policy for decades to come.

Overview Cont.

Over 57,000 Americans and 4 Mil

Vietnamese were killed in the Vietnam

War.

The Vietnam Memorial,

Washington, D.C.

The Vietnam Memorial,

Washington, D.C.

58,00058,00058,00058,000

Vietnam War Memorial

A Mother to her Dead son:“ I came to this black wall again to see

andtouch your name, and as I do I wonderIf anyone ever stops to realize thatnext to your name, on this black wall, is You mothers heart. A heart broken 15Years ago today, when you lost your life in Vietnam.”

II. Vietnam Presidents Eisenhower (Ike): (‘52-60)1st President in Vietnam.Places roughly 700 “advisors” in the country Kennedy (‘61-’63): Kennedy Increased the number of troops to 16k Johnson (‘63-’68): responsible for vastly increasingAmerican presence in Vietnam. Nixon (69-74): First increases and then removes American troops.

Background to the War

Background to the War

Vietnam was a French colony Vietnam was a French colony after WWIIafter WWII

U.S. gave billions of $ to U.S. gave billions of $ to support thissupport this

Indochina

Background to the War

Background to the War

The French lost control to ofThe French lost control to of Vietnam in 1954 at Vietnam in 1954 at Dien Dien

Bien Bien Phu.Phu.

Vietnamese trapped Fr for Vietnamese trapped Fr for 55 days. Fr lost 15,000 men55 days. Fr lost 15,000 men

Fr surrendered Fr surrendered ‘54‘54

IV. Background to the War

IV. Background to the War

International Conference at International Conference at GenevaGeneva Vietnam was divided Vietnam was divided at 17at 17thth

parallelparallelO Ho Chi Minh’sHo Chi Minh’s communist communist

NorthNorthO Ngo Dinh DiemNgo Dinh Diem, , a French-a French-

educated, Roman Catholic educated, Roman Catholic claimedclaimed control of the control of the South (Supported by U.S.)South (Supported by U.S.)

V. Background to the War

V. Background to the War

A date was set for A date was set for democraticdemocratic elections elections to reunify Vietnamto reunify Vietnam

Fearing a loss US supported Fearing a loss US supported Diem backed out of the Diem backed out of the elections, leading to military elections, leading to military conflict between North and conflict between North and South.South.

VI. Domino Theory

Remember: Us Foreign Policy was Dictated during the cold war by the Domino theory. Domino Theory: Belief that if oneCountry “fell” to communisms, thesurrounding countries would also fall.

644-648

Questions 1&2

DO NOW

Collect the Animal Farm Wkst from

The Front of the Room :)