VIETNAM WAR

VIETNAM BACKGROUND

• French control before WWII
• Japan took over Vietnam Sept. 1940
• Retreated after war, left Vietnam to own devices
• Originally under control of Ho Chi Minh
• China took North Vietnam, France took South

VIETNAM BACKGROUND

• China left North Vietnam under control of Ho Chi Minh
• France controlling South Vietnam through Boa Dai
• Boa Dai public leader of South Vietnam
• Vietnam became two countries in the month of July

NORTH VIETNAM

• Nationalist republic
• Ho Chi Minh in control
• Support from China
• Support from China
• Some citizens of South Vietnam joined North
• Traitors to South called Vietnam Cong

SOUTH VIETNAM

• Leader was catholic
• Under control of Boa Dai
• Colony of France

DISAGREEMENTS

• Different beliefs: Nationalist vs Catholic leadership
• North formed National Liberation Front (NLF) to reunite split
• France wanted North Vietnam
• North Vietnam wanted South Vietnam
• South bombed North, official declaration of war

WHY AMERICA?

• France asked US for help in the war
• Entered to prevent 'spread of communism'
• Supported South Vietnam
• Communism was a huge fear during the era because of the Cold War

TRIVIA

• The real cause of the US entering the war was nationalism
• One main reason of the war was the aftermath of the Cold War
• Started in 1954