by P P

Created on: August 09, 2009

The Vietnam War was an example of an American war against Communism. There was still communism in Eastern Europe and China. There was still the treat of the spreading of communism. America feared Communism would spread to the Vietnam. Before WWII Vietnam had been part of the French Empire. During the war the Japanese took over and when the Japanese retreated the Vietnamese had a chance to establish their own government. After the war the French took over South Vietnam and non-communist China took over the north. The Chinese treated the people very badly. They withdrew and Vietnam's own leader Ho Chi Minh took over.

The French then announced they wanted to take over the north. This meant Ho Chi Minh would have to fight. The French tried to win over the north by offering the people independence but they couldn't do anything without permission from France. They also attack and killed 6k people. A new leader of the country was appointed Bao Dai however The Soviets don't acknowledge him as the leader. Despite the huge help from America the French could not cope with Viet Minh's guerilla tactics. They were being supported by communist China and the Soviets (Eastern Europe and Russia). The French sent their Paratroopers to settle the untrained Guerilla.

The paratroopers had to surrender. One month later, the French pulled out of Vietnam. In 1954 world power met in Geneva to discuss Vietnam. It was decided to separate the country in two the south, controlled by Bao Dai and the north controlled by Ho Chi Minh. They agreed there would be an election in 1956 to see who led the country. This election never took place, the two parts were separate. North Vietnam was an agricultural nation with 16 million people. Ho Chi Minh trained Guerillas to go south and spread the word on Communism. The weapons mostly came from communist China.

To the surprise of the South Vietnamese the soldiers were courteous and helpful. South Vietnam also had a population of around 16 million people. Their first leader was Ngo Dinh Diem a fanatic Catholic. Communism hates religion so Diem hated everything Communism stood for. This is why he got America's support; the rule of the era was the "Domino theory" anyone who hated Communism in the Far East regardless of their background was supported by America. Diem ruled along with his brother, he was a dictator and had corrupt and brutal government, yet he was still backed by America. After the non-election of 1956 the guerilla's attacked

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