pathtowar

In the late 1800s vietnam was a french colony. The had almost all of indo china. in 1930s ho chi minh leads communist revolt againts frech government. Arrested but flees to russia. 1940 japan took of vietnam. After japan leaves french returns and takes control. In 1945 they declared independence. After 9 year war the vietnamese defeated french and they form a communist government. U.S. is attempting to contain comunism. So vietnam is split by geneva accords. Sout vietnam is U.S. and Ho Chi Minh is friends with USSR. No free elections take place and war errupts. Vietnam war links 5 presidents. Trumans policy was containment so he sent troops to china. He funded alot of french troops. Eisenhower believed the domino theory so he increases military power. He sends military power to aid south.

Ngo Din Diem leads a corrupt rule in south vietnam and offends budist so some of them self immolate. JFK doesnt support him so they overthrow south government. He doesnt want to seem soft on communism so he sends more troops.