http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5zZKawkcBU&feature=related

Ho Chi MinhNorth Communist

Ngo Dihn Diem(NOH DIHN deh EHM)SouthAnti-Communist

http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/index.html

The Beginning• China=on and off• France=1800s till WWII (French Indochina)• Japan seized power during WWII-----------------------------Nationalism-------------------------------• Nguyen Tat Thanh “Bringer of Light”– Ho Chi Minh– Traveled – Advocate of Communism– 1930 returned & fled– 1941 organizes Vietminh (BOTH Communist & non

Communist)– U.S. sends military aid to Vietminh

Ho Chi Minh

• Allied victory=Japan out• Independent nation

• 1946 French return• 1949 French establish a new government• Sticky situation • 2 major events

1.Fall of China to communism2.Outbreak of the Korean War

• Domino Theory

All men are created equal. They are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights; among these are Liberty, Life and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Vietminh Drive Out the French• Dien Bien Phu– 1954– Mountain town

• Guerrilla– Irregular troops

• Geneva Accords– 3 nations• Temporarily divided Vietnam• 1956 elections were to be held• Exit French/Enter U.S.

• Diem refused elections– Eisenhower supported

Ho Chi MinhNorth=CommunistDiemSouth=Anti