Truman and Eisenhower Aid the French Objective Describe

Truman and Eisenhower Aid the French Objective: Describe the domino theory and the division of Vietnam

Why did the United States agree to help France fight the Viet Minh? • Truman followed the containment policy – working to prevent the spread of communism in Western Europe • Fall, 1949 – China falls to communism; US leaders worry about communism spreading in Asia

• US needs French support in opposing the Soviet Union in Europe • US does not want Vietnam to become communist

• 1950 – Truman offered $10 million in military aid to France; US enters the Vietnam conflict • 1953 – Eisenhower becomes president; continued to aid the French

Define domino theory • Truman and Eisenhower used this to explain the need to support anticommunists in Vietnam • If one country falls to communism, nearby countries will also topple (like a row of dominoes) • US leaders feared if Vietnam fell, rest of SE Asia would follow

Describe how the Geneva Accords ended the war between France and the Viet Minh • May, 1954 – France and Viet Minh meet in Geneva for peace talks • Agreement is reached – Geneva Accords • Vietnam is divided along the 17 th parallel into North and South • Surrounding the line is the demilitarized zone (DMZ)

• 1956 elections are to be held for a single government unifying the country • Until then – Ho Chi Minh and the communists controlled North Vietnam • Ngo Dinh Diem (anti-communist) eventually becomes president of South Vietnam

• Thousands leave North Vietnam and go south • Ho Chi Minh very popular in North Vietnam • Diem has little support in South Vietnam • 1956 -Fearing that he would lose, Diem refuses to hold national elections; decision is supported by Eisenhower

• Eisenhower sends more aid and advisors to South Vietnam; describes mission as nation building