Vietnam+-+Path+to+War

Originally Vietnam, then known as Indo-China, which was controlled by the French. After a very Bloody Revolution, the French eventually gave back the Province to be Self-Ruled. After more revoltes the Geneva Convention declared the 17th parrallel the dividing line between Communist North Vietnam and Democratic, U.S. Supported South Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh was the leader in the north while in the south Ngo Dinh Diem lead the Democratic Goverment.

During the Early 1960's The United States Goverment sent over more than Ten Thousand Advisors to assist the South in an on-going millitary bombardment and struggle with the North. After many more battles, Ngo Dinh Diem was assasinated in 1963, this event made the South MUCH more unstable. The Army of the South Far out numberd the Viet Cong (The Gurella figters for the North), however the simply could not defeat them. The United States main concern was to stop the spred of Communism. They feared if Vietnam fell to comunism the entire region would. After an Attack on a united states vessel, President Johnson Orderd The united states military to go into Vietnam and help the South.