Name:________________________________________________ Date:_____________ Class:____________
Bell Ringer: The Spread of Communism and the Vietnam War
Instructions: Examine the map below. Read the background information. Answer the questions.
Background: After World War II, many in the USA were concerned that Communism would spread outside of
the USSR. These fears were realized when China embraced Communism. In fact, Communism even spread to
Cuba, mere miles from the USA. France controlled an area in Asia, called French Indo-China, as a colony.
Vietnam was in this area. Yet, France was unable to maintain control of the region and abandoned the colony.
This created a vacuum that concerned the USA. In North Vietnam, a Communist regime was established.
Without France in the area, it was feared that all of Vietnam would fall to Communism. The USA wanted to
preserve South Vietnam from falling to Communism in a very similar way that America had protected South
Korea in the Korean War. Therefore, the USA began to send troops to the region in hopes of stopping the rapid
spread of Communism around the world. In the map above, the arrows represent Communism spreading to
various nations around the world, including Vietnam.
1. In what nation did the Communist revolution that spread around the world in the 1940s and the 1960s
originate?
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2. Why was the USA concerned when France lost control of French-Indo China?
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3. Why did the USA begin sending troops to Vietnam? What was the USA’s objective?
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Answers:
1. In what nation did the Communist revolution that spread around the world in the 1940s and the 1960s
originate?
The USSR
2. Why was the USA concerned when France lost control of French-Indo China?
With France removed from the area, the concern was that the vacuum would create an atmosphere
where Communism would replace the French control of the region.
3. Why did the USA begin sending troops to Vietnam? What was the USA’s objective?
The USA was concerned that Communism was spreading around the world. They wanted to stop it
from spreading to South Vietnam and they were willing to use the USA military to do so.
Copyright, USHistoryTeachers.com
All Rights Reserved.