The Fight for Independence in Vietnam

Vietnam has fought for independence for many centuries. Vietnam was once ruled by China for a thousand years until 939 !

Which nation controlled Vietnam for nearly one thousand years?

1. India2. China3. US4. Korea

After its independence from China, the country spent many years thriving as one of the most advanced cultures of Southern and Eastern Asia until the late 1800’s when France took over the region as one of its colonies.

11th century Buddhist Temples in Vietnam

Why did France most likely colonize Vietnam?

1. Wealth2. Religion3. Disease4. Vacation

The end of WWII was the beginning of Vietnam’s fight for independence from France.

The desire to have a nation independent from foreign rule:

1. Civil war2. Culture3. Nationalism4. Communism

In 1954, Ho Chi Minh , a communist leader, declared Vietnam’s independence from France.

•It would take many years of fighting for Minh’s dream of independence to become reality.

•Ho Chi Minh was a nationalist who committed his life to fighting for independence.

* It took eight years of fighting before the French were defeated at the battle of Dien Bien Phu.

As a communist, Ho Chi Minh supported the idea of:

1 2 3 4

25% 25%25%25%

1. Market economy2. Capitalism3. Command Economy4. Traditional Economy

Vietnam-A Country Divided

Communist leader Ho Chi Minh could only gain control of the Northern half of Vietnam.

The Southern half of Vietnam was controlled by a monarch named Boa Dai.

Minh wanted to control all of Vietnam and fought to unite the country under one communist government.

Do you think the US supported North Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh or anti-communist South Vietnam?

1 2

50%50%1. North Vietnam2. South Vietnam

United States Enters the Fight• In 1964, The United States officially went to war

with North Vietnam to protect the anti-communist South Vietnam and prevent the spread of communism.

The War Drags On

• For almost 10 years, Ho Chi Minh’s forces fought against the United States.

• American troops began to pull out of Vietnam in 1969, the same year that Ho Chi Minh died.

• In 1975 the last American troops left Vietnam and communist forces from the North invaded and conquered South Vietnam.

• Today, Vietnam is one united communist nation.

Was the US successful in stopping (containing)the spread of Communism in

Vietnam?

1 2

50%50%

1. No2. Yes

US Losses• 58,220 U.S. service members died in the conflict.

Vietnam Today

It is estimated that Vietnam lost between one and two million lives in the War.

Since 1975, the country has had some strong economic growth and improved its situation by allowing some private ownership of business.