Why did President Kennedy send American troops to Vietnam?
Why did Diem no longer trust the American
government after 1960?
In November 1960 Army officers attempted to
seize power.
The American government and Ambassador
in Saigon (Elbridge Durbrow) knew of the
coup attempt in advance.
Make a detailed summary of United
States Military Assistance from 1961 1963.
1961:
Training, support, direction,
communications, transport and
intelligence, weapons and equipment.
400 special forces.
Secret campaign of sabotage in the
North was launched.
2000 advisors.
1963:
15,500 advisors
Combat support units, air combat,
helicopter teams. A virtual second
government.
Why did Diem and the
Americans continue to
work together?
Diem needed…
US Aid and support
The Americans needed…
A strong anti-communist
leader in South Vietnam
How many US
advisers were in
Vietnam in 1961?
600
What commitment
had the Americans
made?
To rebuild the South
Vietnam anti-guerrilla
force to halt
communist progress.
WHO encouraged President
Kennedy to send American
combat troops?
Vice-President Lyndon Johnson
and General Maxwell (Kennedy’s
personal military advisor)
Why was Kennedy reluctant?
It was estimated South Vietnam
already outnumbered the enemy
10-1.
Which US President
decided to raise the
level of intervention in
Vietnam?
President Kennedy