Path+to+Vietnam




 * A BRIEF HISTORY OF VIETNAM [[image:turningpoints/vietnamsill.gif align="right" caption="vietnamsill.gif"]]**

Pre 1800s – **Vietnam has** dynastic **rulers, influenced by** China

LATE 1800s – **Vietnam is a** French **colony**

1930s – **communist revolts led by** Ho Chi Minh **– Ho Chi Minh flees to China and USSR**

1940s – **Ho Chi Minh forms** NLF **party in order to liberate Vietnam – declare independence in 1945**

1954 – **Vietminh successfully** defeats **French in north Vietnam and establish communist government in north**

1954 – **Vietnam is split** in half **by the Geneva Accords, with free elections to be held in 1956 to unite the nation**

LATE 1950s – Civil War **in Vietnam between Communist North and American-supported South**


 * PRESIDENTIAL INVOLVEMENT **
 * [[image:turningpoints/hst.gif align="left" caption="hst.gif"]] || [[image:turningpoints/dde.gif align="left" caption="dde.gif"]] || [[image:turningpoints/lfk.gif align="left" caption="lfk.gif"]] || [[image:turningpoints/lbj.gif align="left" caption="lbj.gif"]] ||
 * **TRUMAN**
 * notes**
 * **Sent economic and military aid to France to help them keep their colonies in Indochina (including Vietnam)** || **EISENHOWER**
 * notes**
 * **Believes in Domino theory and sets up a puppet state in Vietnam. Ngo Dinh Diem leads South Vietnam - wont hold free elections** || **KENNEDY**
 * notes**
 * **U.S. supports an overthrow of Ngo Dinh Diem.**
 * **Doesnt want to be soft on Communism**
 * **Continued to send advisors.**
 * **16000 Americans in Vietnam at his death** || **JOHNSON**
 * notes**
 * **"We will not send US troops"**


 * = ** The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution ** =

notes:


 * The Vietnamese had submarines that shot at the U.S.S. Maddox and the Turner Joy.
 * Needs all necessary measures to protect American forces to prevent more aggression.
 * Wants a blank check
 * House was unanimous and 2 opposing in Senate. ||  || [[image:http://www.findingdulcinea.com/docroot/dulcinea/fd_images/news/on-this-day/July-August-08/On-this-Day--False-Claims-of-Attack-Lead-Congress-to-Authorize-Vietnam-War/news/0/image.jpg caption="Sec. of Defense Robert McNamera"]] ||
 * Sec. of Defense Robert McNamera ||  ||


 * [[image:http://cdn.dipity.com/uploads/events/0bbab3dff8455159bcacb94c240ceb82_1M.png caption="external image 0bbab3dff8455159bcacb94c240ceb82_1M.png"]] || = ** Operation Rolling Thunder ** =

notes
 * Johnson would send a bomber plane to drop a ton of bombs onto Vietnam ||

= =
 * = American ground troops enter Vietnam  =

notes

3500 Marines join 20000 military advisors || ||

My questions about the Vietnam War: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ho_Chi_Minh