13.+Vietnam-+The+Path+to+War+Essay


 * Vietnam- The Path to War** **.**

Vietnam was controlled by France in the late 1800’s and known as “French Indochina.” Eventually, a leader comes to power named __Ho Chi Minh__. He led a Communist revolt but couldn’t do much more since he was arrested. He then moved to China. During WWII, Japan took control of Vietnam. During this time, Ho Chi Minh leads a disorganized war against Japan. After WWII, France took back what was once theirs. While __Truman__ was president, he sent military aid to European countries including France. This helped them fight back against Ho Chi Minh. In 1954, Vietnam declared their Independence with the help of Ho Chi Minh. A civil war took place and Vietnam was split.

An Election was to be taken but actually did not occur because all of South Vietnam feared Ho Chi Minh would be elected. In attempt to stop the spread of Communism, the U.S. favored a temporary split of Vietnam. The North was a __Communism__ favored Government, and the South was U.S. favoring. Meanwhile, Eisenhower feared a Domino effect of Communist society. He sent __military advisors__ to help South Vietnam, who were controlled by a corrupt Capitalist leader named __Ngo Dinh Deim__.

When __John F. Kennedy__ becomes president, he does not support Ngo Dinh Deim and helps in an overthrow. During the overthrow, Deim is actually assassinated. However Kennedy does not want to go soft on anti-communism so he sends more advisors to Vietnam, however he does not send foot soldiers. After Kennedy is assassinated, __Lyndon Johnson__ takes office.

Johnson first does not believe it is right to send American soldiers into conflict that should be solved by the Vietnamese. He changes his opinion and sends in U.S. ships into the Gulf of Tonkin. These ships were hit from Vietnam arms. Johnson believes he needs to “take all necessary measures.” Johnson proposes war to Congress. Operation __Rolling Thunder__ took place when the U.S. dropped more bombs than collectively dropped on Germany. In 1965, 3500 Marines were sent into Vietnam; thus, starting the war.

A man remembers the Vietnam war by visiting the war memorial in D.C.     American troops being sent into Vietnam.