Eisenhower's involvement: US involvement in the Vietnam War, 1954-75: History: GCSE (9:1)

Containment

Truman's policy to stop the spread of communism.

Truman Doctrine

1947, President Truman's policy of providing economic and military aid to any country threatened by communism.

US involvement in Vietnam

During the 1950s, the USA became far more involved in Vietnam due to their policy of containment.

Geneva Agreement 1954

A 1954 peace agreement between Ho Chi Minh's communists and the French after the French loss at Dien Bien Phu.

Agreements of the Geneva Agreement

Vietnam would be temporarily divided into communist-controlled North and non-communist South . North Vietnam would be led by Ho Chi Minh and the South would be led by Ngo Dinh Diem. There would be elections in 1956 to elect a government for the whole of Vietnam.

Domino Theory

A US theory that if one nation comes under Communist control, then neighbouring nations will also come under Communist control.

President Eisenhower's concerns

Eisenhower feared the the 1956 election would lead to the election of Ho Chi Minh, who's popularity had increased in the South. Ho Chi Minh wanted a united communist Vietnam.

Ngo Dinh Diem (Diem)

Capitalist leader of South Vietnam, had support from America.

US Support

Diem knew the US would support him as he had stopped a communist victory in the South. The USA sent aid and military advisers to train the South Vietnamese army.

Election of Diem

The election was rigged, but the USA did nothing. Saigon had population of 450,000, but in Saigon Diem received 605,000 votes.

ARVN (Army of the Republic of South Vietnam)

South Vietnam's army, supported by the U.S.

Weaknesses of Diem

Diem was not popular, he ruled as a dictator. He was a Catholic in a Buddhist majority country. Diem persecuted Buddhists, and in 1963, a Buddhist monk Quang Duck set himself on fire in protest.

Growth of opposition

In 1959 the communist government in North Vietnam issued orders to the Vietminh to begin a terror campaign against South Vietnamese officials. Over the next few year 4,000 officials were assassinated.

National Liberation Front (NLF)

In 1960, former members of the Viet Minh set up the National Liberation front to oppose Diem's regime. They were called the Vietcong by Diem and the USA.