The Vietnam War

Introduction

Vietnam became a French colony in the 1860s, part of French Indochina with Cambodia and Laos. By the 1930s, anti- French resistance was led by communist , Ho Chi Minh. He was a dedicated nationalist who believed it was his duty to liberate Vietnam from French.

During WW2

When Vietnam was occupied by Japan, Ho Chi Minh and his organisation, The Vietnam Independence league were soon fighting them. They received aid from both China and the USA. However the emerging cold war was to cause a shift in S position.

After ww2

Following the Japanese surrender, the Vietminh seized control of North and declared the DRV. They began establishing communist regimes.

As France was an ally in the Cold War, the USA now supported the French attempt to revive their colony. The French were weak after ww2 and were not strong enough to fight this on their own. Vietnam was also receiving aid from China. By 1954 the USA were paying 80% of France’s war costs. France and the USA were both part of NATO and the USA felt they had to support their ally. They believed the French position that the Vietminh were just part if the world communist bloc and spies of the Kremlin. Obsessed with this view the US policy makers did not realise that as well as being a communist, Ho Chi Minh led a national movement.

Domino Theory

The US concluded that preventing the spread of communism in SEA was vital for Us interests. They believed this domino theory. If one country fell to communism, the surrounding countries like Burma and Laos would be vulnerable to fall too. This belief was to influence US actions throughout the war.

Division of Vienam

French forces withdrew their troops after the surrender at Dien Bien Phu. Negotiations led to the Geneva Accords signed in 1954. Vietnam was divided along the 17th parallel into North and South. This was supposed to be temporary until free elections were held. these elections were never held due to the US. The US feared the communists would win and therefore installed their own regime in South Vietman. This resulted in a growing involvement of USA in Vietman.

South Vietnam - Civil war

USA installed Vietnamese Nationalist Ngo Dinh Diem as the ruler. He opposed French rule but was strongly anti-communist. The USA provided 1 billion dollars worth of funding and aid to his regime.

His regime was unpopular among the Vietnamese. In 1959, taking advantage of Diems unpopular regime, the Northern government ordered the Vietminh to resume Guerrilla action. They wanted to reunify the country under communist control. Anti- diem forces in the north organises into the national liberation front for vietnam aka the vietcong. This group was soon launching attacks on the south vietnamese army.

JFK and Vietnam

Accepted the Eisenhower Administrations views on Vietnam. He agreed with the Domino Theory. He ignored the unpopularity of Diems regime leading him to greatly underestimate the support for unity on both sides.

Kennedy increased financial and military commitment, 1961 he sent 400 Green Berets to help the Southern Army defeat the National Liberation front.

Diems regime faced so much opposition that the USA urged the army officers to overthrow Diem. Diem was murdered and a military government came to power in Saigon.

Johnson and Vietnam

Not very experienced in foreign affairs, he was also thrust suddenly into his position after the JFK assassination. He believed in continuing JFK take on Vietnam and the Domino Theory. He retained some of Kennedys advisers like Dean Rusk and Robert Macnamara; they were strongly anti communist and believed SEA had to be protected. They worried about US prestige if the US were defeated or had to be pulled out.

Johnson also feared that any sign of weakness could be used against him and sabotage the next presidential election. He had to act tough.

However, Johnson was much more interested in his Domestic Reforms ‘The lady he loved’ , he didnt want war in Vietnam which he called ‘that raggedy ass little fourth rate country’. He didnt want war to be a distraction to his great reforms.

Johnsons aim

He decided to fight a limited war which would force the North Vietnamese into accepting peace and then preserve the independence of South Vietnam. American Military strength was so strong it didnt seem like it would be long until negotiated peace. However Johnson found himself being drawn step by step into a full scale war.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident

Triggered huge escalation of the war. August 1964, Us Madoxx was on patrol and exchanged fire with a Vietnamese torpedo boat. Two days later the same US ship reported they were under attack again, however this has been proven to be faulty radar.

The next day Johnson persuaded congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin resolution to protect american lives in Vietnam. This allowed Johnson to ‘take all necessary steps’ to defend the USA and their allies. This resulted in growing involvement of the US in Vietnam.