Why the USA Became increasingly involved in Vietnam.

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Why the USA Became increasingly involved in Vietnam: Draft 1

        There were many contributing factors leading to increasing US involvement in Vietnam 1954-64, US attitudes to communism, Corruption of Diem and Oppression, The Korean war and “SEATO”, US advisors in Vietnam, The Domino Theory.

        Conflict in Vietnam originated in the 1870s when the French armed forces completed their conquest of French Indo-China. It remained under French control until 1940 when the French were defeated by Germany in the Second World War. Japan, Germany’s ally took control of Vietnam. During this time a strong anti-Japanese resistance movement (the Vietminh) emerged under leadership of Ho Chi Min. He inspired Vietnamese people to resist and by the end of World War 2  the Viet Minh controlled the North of the country and were determined to take the rest. In 1945 the Vietminh entered the city of Hanoi and declared Vietnamese independence.

        During Japanese conflict with Vietnam America had greatly supported Ho Chi Min, supplying the Vietminh with munitions and other supplies.

        In 1945 the French returned intent on ruling Vietnam again. Ho Chi Min kept quiet about his communist plan for Vietnam. He knew America was sympathetic towards him because the situation was seen as a fight against the colonial rule of France.

        In 1949 the picture changed. China had recently become communist and was aiding Ho Chi Min in freeing Vietnam. The US no longer saw the situation as a fight against colonial rule but took Frances side on what was now seen as a fight against communism.

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        America opposed communism and was fighting to contain it. Thousands of American citizens had been accused of being supporters of the US Communist party, even of being sympathisers with it. People had lost their jobs or hounded out of office. Failure to share this anti-communist opinion was regarded with suspicion. This was known as McCarthyism.

        US forces had recently lost 30,000 men fighting for South Korea against communist China and North Korea.

To contain communism in South East Asia the US helped to form the South East Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO). Later in 1954 its member pledged themselves ...

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