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__**Ho Chi Minh**__ Ho Chi Minh, at first, actually saw the U.S. as a possible ally. But, when his request for support of the Vietnamese revolution was ignored, Ho Chi Minh realized his only support would come from people with similar communist goals. He then made ties with Stalin, and Mao Zedong (communist leaders of Russia and China). After that point, Ho Chi Minh only saw the U.S. as a blockade from reestablishing Vietnamese unity. Ho Chi Minh often demanded the immediate withdraw of foreign troops. With no withdraw in sight and after seeing his countrymen repeatedly killed and wounded in U.S. bombings, Ho approved the plan for the Tet Offensive. After that, Ho realized they couldn't take the U.S. head on; Ho planned to prolong war until negotiations were made. Ho Chi Minh hoped to eventually achieve a united and communist Vietnam. After receiving a grand education in many different countries, especially China and Moscow, Ho Chi Minh developed a large prestige among his people. Ho Chi Minh oversaw many Vietnamese military actions. He often stepped in as a figure leader for Vietnam, for example he read the Declaration of Independence of Vietnam. After crushing the French with his Viet Minh forces, Ho Chi Minh became president and occupied the North with the Nationalists. He then approved the many military actions by Viet Cong and NVA. Ho Chi Minh spread his message through military actions. Ho Chi Minh's methods used to achieve his goals were very practical since his country was being invaded. He commanded small groups from his armies to use guerrilla warfare to attack the U.S. army. Due to having his country fighting in a war, he was easily able to implement his war strategies to fight for unity and communism. Ho Chi Minh had limited success in the war. Overall, he achieved his goals of uniting Vietnam under a communist flag. Although, 1.1 million NVA and Viet Cong died in action, and it's estimated 2 million civilians of Vietnam died in the war. Ho Chi Minh's success came at a very high human price. For example, in the American Civil War, the North won, but the same country took all of the losses. With millions dead, and cities destroyed Ho Chi Minh had very bittersweet successes. Ho Chi Minh died in 1969, before the war was officially over.

"Ho Chi Minh." //Wikipedia//. Wikimedia Foundation, 05 Jan. 2012. Web. 02 May 2012. . Karnow, Stanley. "Ho Chi Minh." //Time//. 13 Apr. 1998. Web. 02 May 2012. . "Vietnam War casualties." //Wikipedia//. N.p., 30 Apr. 2012. Web. 2 May 2012. .