"Explain Why The United States Became Increasingly Involved In The War In Vietnam During The Period 1954-1965

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Explain Why The United States Became Increasingly Involved In The War In Vietnam During The Period 1954-1965.

Between 1946-1954 French authorities ruled Vietnam. Many people in Vietnam did not like the French having an influence in the way their country was ruled. The Vietminh began to take action against the French. The Vietminh were a Communist organisation. In 1950-1951, the French looked to America for assistance against the Vietminh. Despite not getting directly involved, America paid for most of the cost of the war. This did not satisfy the French. The French saw the war as a battle between Imperialists and Nationalist. Whereas the Americans saw the conflict as a battle against the worldwide spread of communism. This is why I believe the Americans decided to aid the French in their conflict against the Vietminh. In 1954, at the battle of Dien Bien Phu, the Vietminh attacked the French garrison of 15,000 troops.

By mid March, the surviving 10,000 troops were made to surrender. This was a humiliating defeat for the French. They then turned to America for more physical aid such as troops and a possible nuclear strike. The Americans declined as they had only just ended the war in Korea and did not wish to risk losing more American troops. After the battle of Dien Bien Phu, Britain, France, China, The Soviet Union, The United States and Vietnam agreed to meet in Geneva, Switzerland. The Vietminh wished to have an early election in order to elect a government for the whole of Vietnam. Due to their fear of Ho Chi Minhs popularity, America, France and Britain wished to have a long delay before the election. At the convention, its was agreed that Vietnam would be divided along the 17th parallel with the North ruled by Ho Chi Minh...