Oral+History+Research

Topic: Soldier in Vietnam Topic Subject: Mike Gehl (dad's cousin)

The Vietnam War can be described as "passeths all understandings." This being said the war by this quote is being described by how no one really knows what went on during Vietnam. Some people dont know the full story behind the Vietnam War. Originally the French were heading into Indochina to try and capitalize on trade in Asia, and once the US found out about this they thought it might be a threat to the US's interest in China. This is when things started to heat up! Finally, China stated their independence from the French and hoped that the US and Great Britain would support them. Then finally the US said by Dean Acheson, "the United States would not oppose the reestablishment of French control in Vietnam." The French and Ho Chi Minh had talks to try and negogiate something, but this was effortles. While the French and Minh were discussing there was much upressing in the US because people became to wonder how much should America really help China.

In 1950 the US gave Military and Adivisors to Vietnam, this declared our establishment in Vietnam. The US then decided to take South Vietnam under their wing to shield them from North Vietnam which was being taken over by communism. Also, another problem was the Viet Cong, they used very primative materials and this made it hard to fight them because of the unique fighting materials they used. When the USS Maddoxx got attacked by North Vietnam this aroused in many problems and only intensified the war. The US attacke by using air raids against North Vietnam and Johnson had complete control from Congress to do whatever was needed to protect the US and South Vietnam. Another big attack against the US was by the Viet Cong when they attacked some of the US military bases and we were very unprepared. Thes attacks are called the Tet Offensive. The war grew bigger and bigger and many just wanted it to end.

Many opposed how the US got involved in the war because it was a war in Vietnam and not near the US. Also, war wasn't actually declared, but the US just got them selves into the war with good intentions and hoping to stop communism. All in all the war was long and strenious and took a toll on many peoples lives in country and in the real world.

"A Lost War." //TIME// 1. Web.30 May 2009. . "Vietnam War." __American History__. 2009. ABC-CLIO. 30 May 2009 []. Media: media type="youtube" key="rmBl3RGItAE" height="344" width="425" Video describing the traps the Viet Cong used. Video from youtube.com