IWBAT
describe the
start of the
Vietnam War


Indochina was a French Colony
which was made up of Vietnam,
Laos, and Cambodia
During WWII, Japan captured
Indochina


Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam’s
independence after Japan’s defeat in WWII.
The French fought to keep Indochina but lost in
1954

Vietnam was to be divided into North and
South. North became Communist and South
became democratic until elections could be
held



Ngo Dinh Diem led the South and refused to
hold elections
South
Vietnam:
- U.S.
- Ngo Dinh
Diem
North
Vietnam:
- Soviet
Union
- Ho Chi
Minh

Communists organized themselves into the
National Liberation Front, better known as the
Vietcong

Domino Theory:

What would happen if one country fell to
Communism?




Summarize each biography
1. What religion did Ngo Dinh Diem belong to?
Why was this a problem?
2. What does Ho Chi Minh mean? Why do you
think would inspire people?
3. Do you think the US should support democracy
no matter what that leader does to his people?




Who was Ngo Dinh Diem?
Who was Ho Chi Minh?
What political belief system did N. Vietnam
have?
What political belief system did S. Vietnam
have?