Mccarthyism In Vietnam

The Vietnam War was an extensive and expensive war between the Communist regime of North Vietnam and South Vietnam, known as Viet Cong. The United States were allies with South Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh was the founder of the Indochina Communist Party and the prime minister and leader of North Vietnam. His Communist party was called the Viet Minh. Ngo Dinh Diem was the first President of South Vietnam. He was not in favor of Communism.
The war started on November 1, 1955 and ended on April 30, 1975. Even thought the war officially started in 1955, there were numerous factors that were taking place prior to this. During World War II, Japan occupied Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh decided to fight Japan and French colonial administration. Japan eventually backed out in 1945. This led to Ho Chi Minh’s rise in power in North Vietnam.
In July 1954, the Geneva Agreements were signed. This required the French to remove their troops from Northern Vietnam. The Agreement also divided Vietnam by the 17th parallel. There was a two-year period to allow elections for President. In that two-year period no foreign troops could enter Vietnam. The Geneva Conference and Agreement was a turning point in the United States …show more content…
On August 2, 1964, three North Vietnamese torpedo boats and the USS Maddox exchanged shots. The USS Maddox was heading towards the Gulf of Tonkin. The boats continued to fire upon each other. Even though it seemed like it came out of the blue, it was no surprise for the naval crew of the USS Maddox. The U.S. Intelligence Community was watching various countries’ moves after the Geneva Conference. The firing upon the USS Maddox allowed Congress to approve engagement into the Vietnam War for the United States. With the thought of the United States entering into war with North Vietnam aiding South Vietnam, numerous strategic plans were set into motion in which the United States thought would help them win the