america’s most unpopular war cost lbj his second term to richard nixon america’s longest and...
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America’s most unpopular warCost LBJ his second term to Richard Nixon
America’s longest and most expensive war
Divided America on the homefrontThe best technical war money could buyAmerica hardly ever lost a tactical battle
A war America did not winA war America did not winToday, we are living with the “ghosts of Vietnam”.
Today, we are living with the “ghosts of Vietnam”.
Background of the WarBackground of the War
• According to President Eisenhower’s domino theory, if one Southeast Asian nation fell to communism, others would soon follow.
• Ho Chi Minh, a pro-Communist leader in Vietnam, led a group called the Vietminh against French control of his nation before, during, and after World War II.
• After the Vietminh successfully defeated the French in 1954, a peace agreement called the Geneva Accords divided Vietnam into Communist North Vietnam and anti-Communist South Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh led North Vietnam, while Ngo Dinh Diem led South Vietnam.
• The United States began providing economic aid to the French in Vietnam in 1950. In 1960, President Eisenhower sent hundreds of military advisors to help South Vietnam’s struggle against the North.
Communist Expansion“CONTAINMENT”
Communist Expansion“CONTAINMENT”
China1949
Soviet Union1918
Korean War1950 to 1953
Eastern Europe
1946
CONTAINMENT•Marshall Plan•Berlin Airlift
•NATO•Korean War
•Cuban Missile Crisis
•Alliance for Progress
•Peace Corps
Berlin Blockade
1947-8XX
Vietnam War1946 to 1975
US Involvement1965 to 1975
Cuban Missile Crisis *
XX
XX
*Cuba would
remain and still is a
communist country.
Southeast Asian Southeast Asian ConflictConflict
A Chronology of EventsA Chronology of Events
Southeast Asian Southeast Asian ConflictConflict
A Chronology of EventsA Chronology of Events
Ho Chi Minh – North Vietnamese Army – Communist insurgents
Revolt against the South Vietnamese Govt
– VCVC = Viet Cong or South Vietnamese guerrillas
Ngo Dinh Diem– South Vietnamese Army
United States
North Vietnam leader Free of foreign
interference Re-unite Vietnam under Ho
Chi Minh as communists
Dictator of SVN Used US aid to keep power
Feared Communist takeover of South Vietnam
Supported Diem to keep SVN free
US willing to commit troops
INDIVIDUALS/GROUPS POINT OF VIEW INDIVIDUALS/GROUPS POINT OF VIEWwar sides
“You can kill 10 of my men for every one I kill of yours, yet even at those odds, you will lose and I will win”
“I first met Ho on the China border between China and Indochina in the last days of April of 1945. He was an interesting individual. Very sensitive, very gentle, rather a frail type. We spoke quite at length about the general
situation, not only in Indochina, but the world at large.”– ARCHIMEDES PATTI (OSS Officer)
•Founder of the Vietnamese Communist Party
•Traveled for almost 30 years around the world. Visited France, England, Russia, China, Thailand
and the United States.
•In that time he learned to speak fluent Russian, Chinese and English.
•Patriot or Communist?
•Motivated the Vietnamese to rebel and fight against France/US for independence.
•Became Vietnam’s first president. Ho Chi Minh 1890-1969
“Light-Bringer"
•First democratically elected President of South Vietnam in
1955.
•Next 7 years, he presided over an increasingly corrupt,
nepotistic and repressive regime.
•Communist guerrillas (VC) backed by North Vietnam launched a new rebellion
•A civil disobedience led by the country's Buddhist monks contributed more directly to his downfall.
•Brutal persecution of Buddhist monks in 1963 damaged Diem’s shaky international reputation.
•With US support, Vietnamese generals overthrew and assassinated Ngo later that year.
The War in Southeast Asia
The War in Southeast Asia
vn map
““Domino TheoryDomino Theory””Must “contain”“contain” communism and not
allow it to spread. If it does, it would lead to more countries falling
to the communists.
Background to the War
Background to the War
Vietnamese culture Villages and rice Buddhist
Historic tension with Chinese
Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia were originally a French colony (French (French IndoChina)IndoChina) in the late19th century Imperialism
Background to the War
Background to the War
Japan took control during World War II
Opposed by guerrilla force led by Ho Chi Minh
US backed Ho Chi Minh’s to remove Japan
Japanese Expansion•1933 1941
•Control Attacks
Japanese Expansion•1933 1941
•Control Attacks
19411941
Background to the War
Background to the War
At end of WW II, Ho Chi Minh declared
Vietnam an independent nation
President Truman refused to recognize
Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam.
With U.S. aid, France attempted re-
colonize Vietnam
Background to the War
Background to the War
Fighting between France and Vietminh began in 1946
The French lost control to Ho Chi Minh’s Viet Minh forces at Dien Bien Phu…. …. May 7, 1954
France requested US air support
Nuclear if necessary President Eisenhower
declined to intervene on behalf of France.
French withdrew from Indochina
French defeat at Dien Bien
Phu
Background to the War
Background to the War
International Conference at Geneva in 1954 Vietnam was divided at 17th parallel
Ho Chi Minh’sHo Chi Minh’s nationalist forces controlled the North
Ngo Dinh DiemNgo Dinh Diem, a French-educated, Roman Catholic claimed control of the South
Elections were to be held two years later.
8
SEATO Southeast Asia
Treaty Organization
SEATO Southeast Asia
Treaty Organization
Initiated by the US in Sept 1954 to prevent spread of communism – “Domino Theory”
Member nations were: US, Great Britain, France, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand Philippines, and Pakistan
Didn’t require participants to support each other with military force
Politically justified US actions in South Vietnam
Background to the War
Background to the War
A date was set for democratic elections to reunify Vietnam
Diem backed out of the elections, leading to military conflict between North and South
U.S. Military Involvement
Begins
U.S. Military Involvement
Begins Repressive dictatorial rule by Diem
Diem’s family holds all power Wealth is hoarded by the elite Buddhist majority persecuted Torture, lack of political freedom prevail
The U.S. aided Diem’s government Ike sent financial and military aid 675 U.S. Army advisors sent by 1960.
Early Protests of Diem’s Government
Early Protests of Diem’s Government
Self-Emulation by a Buddhist Monk protesting against the brutality of Diem’s government
19601960
Troop Levels:
South Vietnamese
243,000
American 900
April 1955--US agrees to advise South Vietnam– Green Berets arrive Oct. 1959
to train only South Vietnam troops.
1959 -- North Vietnam increased actions to unify North and South ”insurgents””insurgents” – US increased action to prevent a North
Vietnam victory
U.S. Military Involvement
Begins
U.S. Military Involvement
Begins Kennedy elected 1960 Increases military “advisors” to 16,000 1963: JFK supports a S. Vietnamese
military coup d’etat – Diem and his brother are murdered (Nov. 2)
Kennedy was assassinated just weeks later (Nov. 22)
Kennedy’s Vietnam PolicyKennedy’s Vietnam Policy
Diem’s Downfall• During the early 1960s, Ngo Dinh
Diem’s policies lost him the support of his people.
• Realizing that the struggle against communism could not be won under Diem’s rule, President Kennedy told South Vietnamese military leaders that the United States would not object to Diem’s overthrow.
• In November 1963, military leaders seized control of South Vietnam and assassinated Diem.
McNamara’s Role• Robert McNamara, President
Kennedy’s Secretary of Defense, was influential in shaping American policy toward Vietnam.
• McNamara used his strong business background to cut costs while modernizing the armed forces.
• In the coming years, McNamara would push for direct American involvement in Vietnam.
U.S. Troop Deployments in
Vietnam
U.S. Troop Deployments in
Vietnam
President Johnson and Communist AdvancesPresident Johnson and Communist Advances
• Shortly after Diem’s assassination in November 1963, President Kennedy was assassinated, and Vice President Johnson assumed the presidency.
• In South Vietnam, the military leaders who had taken over the government were unsuccessful and unpopular. As a result, Communist guerrillas in South Vietnam, known as the Viet Cong, made gains in both territory and loyalty. The Viet Cong’s political wing was known as the National Liberation Front.
vietnam collage
•Why are we in South Vietnam? We are there
because we have a promise to keep. Since 1954 every American
President has offered to support the people of
South Vietnam.
•We have helped to build and we have helped to
defend. Thus, over many years, we have made a national pledge to help
South Vietnam defend its independence.
•Why are we in South Vietnam? We are there
because we have a promise to keep. Since 1954 every American
President has offered to support the people of
South Vietnam.
•We have helped to build and we have helped to
defend. Thus, over many years, we have made a national pledge to help
South Vietnam defend its independence.
Lyndon Johnson, Speech at Johns
Hopkins University, "Why are we in South
Vietnam"
Lyndon Johnson, Speech at Johns
Hopkins University, "Why are we in South
Vietnam"
vietnam collage
•I intend to keep our promise. To dishonor that pledge, to abandon this
small and brave nation to its enemy and to the
terror that must follow would be an unforgivable
wrong.
•We are there to strengthen world order.
•I intend to keep our promise. To dishonor that pledge, to abandon this
small and brave nation to its enemy and to the
terror that must follow would be an unforgivable
wrong.
•We are there to strengthen world order.
Lyndon Johnson, Speech at Johns
Hopkins University, "Why are we in South
Vietnam"
Lyndon Johnson, Speech at Johns
Hopkins University, "Why are we in South
Vietnam"
vietnam collage
•Around the globe from Berlin to Thailand are
people whose well-being rests, in part, on the
belief they can count on us if they are attacked.
•To leave Vietnam to its fate would shake the
confidence of all these people in the value of
American commitment. The result would be
increased unrest and instability, or even war.
•Around the globe from Berlin to Thailand are
people whose well-being rests, in part, on the
belief they can count on us if they are attacked.
•To leave Vietnam to its fate would shake the
confidence of all these people in the value of
American commitment. The result would be
increased unrest and instability, or even war.
Lyndon Johnson, Speech at Johns
Hopkins University, "Why are we in South
Vietnam"
Lyndon Johnson, Speech at Johns
Hopkins University, "Why are we in South
Vietnam"
Johnson Sends Ground ForcesJohnson Sends Ground Forces
Remembers Truman’s “loss” of China --> Domino TheoryDomino Theory revived
I’m not going to be the president who saw Southeast Asia go the way China went.
Johnson Sends Ground ForcesJohnson Sends Ground Forces
Advised to rout the communists by Secretary of State, Robert S. Robert S. McNamaraMcNamara
Tonkin Gulf Incident --> 1964(acc. to Johnson – attacks were unprovoked)
Tonkin Gulf ResolutionTonkin Gulf Resolution “The Blank Check”
19641964Gulf of Tonkin ResolutionGulf of Tonkin ResolutionPassed by Congress 5 Aug 1964Passed by Congress 5 Aug 1964
– Radically altered the War in Southeast AsiaRadically altered the War in Southeast Asia– Gave President Johnson a Gave President Johnson a “blank check”:“blank check”:
““To take all necessary steps to repel armed To take all necessary steps to repel armed attack against US forces”, including force, to attack against US forces”, including force, to assist South Vietnam and any member of assist South Vietnam and any member of SEATO”SEATO”
Committed US to fight for S VietnamCommitted US to fight for S Vietnam
Expanding Presidential PowerExpanding Presidential Power
The Gulf of Tonkin ResolutionThe Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
In August 1964, Johnson announced that North Vietnamese torpedo boats had attacked American destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin. However, some people doubted that this incident had happened and believed it was only an excuse for further U.S. involvement in Vietnam.
What Inspired the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution?
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, passed by Congress in 1964, regarded peace and security in Southeast Asia as vital to American national interest, and it gave the President additional powers to assist any Southeast Asian country “requesting assistance in defense of its freedoms.”
What Was the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution?
Under the resolution, the President had authority to “take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.” The resolution, therefore, changed the balance of power between Congress and the President.
What Additional Powers Did It Give the President?
1964Gulf of Tonkin Incident
The Vietnam War, The Vietnam War, 1964 to 19751964 to 1975
The Ho Chi Minh TrailThe Ho Chi Minh Trail
• North Vietnamese troops and supplies entered South Vietnam via the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a route that passed through Laos and Cambodia.
Intensifying the WarIntensifying the War
• After the election of 1964, President Johnson began a gradual escalation, or expansion of the war. The number of American soldiers stationed in Vietnam rose from about 25,000 at the beginning of 1965 to nearly 536,000 by the end of 1968.
• Originally, American soldiers had been sent to advise the South Vietnamese; now their task was to prop up a failing South Vietnamese government led by Nguyen Cao Ky.
• Despite the large buildup of American troops, between 1965 and 1967 the war was at a stalemate.
• Within the United States, debate raged between hawks, those who supported the war, and doves, those who did not.
19651965In February the US commences bombardment of North
Vietnam and begins to send combat troops to Vietnam.
In February the US commences bombardment of North
Vietnam and begins to send combat troops to Vietnam.
Troop Levels:
South Vietnamese
642,500
American 184,300
Australian 1,560
New Zealand 120
South Korea 20,620
Philippines 70
Thailand 20
First U.S. combat troops land in Da
Nang, South Vietnam.
First U.S. combat troops land in Da
Nang, South Vietnam.
The Air and Ground WarsThe Air and Ground Wars
Some Weapons Used in the Vietnam War• Land Mines — Land mines,which can be set off by the pressure of
a footstep, are explosive devices planted in the ground. Viet Cong landmines killed and wounded both American GIs and Vietnamese civilians.
• Saturation Bombing — American B-52 bomber planes dropped thousands of tons of explosives, resulting in saturation bombing of North Vietnam.
• Fragmentation Bombs — Fragmentation bombs, dropped by Americans over both North and South Vietnam, threw pieces of their thick metal casings in all directions when they exploded. In South Vietnam, fragmentation bombs killed and maimed countless civilians.
The Air and Ground WarsThe Air and Ground Wars
Some Weapons Used in the Vietnam War• Agent Orange — American pilots dropped an
herbicide called Agent Orange over Vietnamese jungles, killing vegetation and exposing Viet Cong hiding places. Agent Orange was later discovered to cause health problems in livestock and humans.
• Napalm — Another chemical weapon used in Vietnam, napalm,was a jellylike substance which, when dropped from planes splattered, and burned uncontrollably.
The Air War1965-1968
The Air War1965-1968
1965: Sustained bombing of North Vietnam begins Operation Rolling ThunderOperation Rolling Thunder (March 2, 1965)
1966-68: Ongoing bombing of Hanoi nonstop for 3 years! Esp. targets the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
Downed Pilots: P.O.W.s Carpet Bombing – napalmnapalm
1964Gulf of Tonkin Incident
1965First sustained bombing of North Vietnam
1966U.S. air raids over Hanoi, 1966 to 1968
The Vietnam War, The Vietnam War, 1964 to 19751964 to 1975
The Air War:A Napalm
Attack
The Air War:A Napalm
Attack
3
Americans flew from bases in Thailand, Laos, Guam and South Vietnam
Troops from Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Philippines fought with the US and South Vietnam
China and the Soviet Union – heavily supported North Vietnam
The War in Southeast
Asia Background
The War in Southeast
Asia Background
Battlefield ConditionsBattlefield Conditions
American Troops• Had superior weapons
• Were unprepared for heat, terrain, or guerrilla tactics
• Lacked support of most South Vietnamese
• Most never saw the enemy but constantly faced the possibility of sudden danger.
Viet Cong Troops• Fought as guerrillas;
avoided head-on clashes
• Were familiar with terrain; had support of many South Vietnamese
• Built and hid in elaborate underground tunnels
Who Is the Enemy?
Who Is the Enemy?
VietcongVietcong: founded in South Vietnam who were communists—supported by N. Vietnam. Farmers by day; guerillas at night. Very patient people willing to accept many
casualties. The US grossly underestimated their resolve
and their resourcefulness. ““Charlies”Charlies” to American Troops that will later
fight them.
The guerilla wins if he does not lose, the conventional army loses if it does not win. -- Mao ZedongMao Zedong
Who Is the Enemy?
Who Is the Enemy?
The Vietcong consisted of a well organized guerilla fighting force in
South Vietnam.
Their guerilla and jungle hit and run tactics made them a menace for
American, South Vietnamese, and other allied forces.
The Vietcong consisted of a well organized guerilla fighting force in
South Vietnam.
Their guerilla and jungle hit and run tactics made them a menace for
American, South Vietnamese, and other allied forces.
Who Is the Enemy?
Who Is the Enemy?
The Vietcong possessed underground networks of tunnels
Passageways that contained hidden caches weapons and
supplies that were difficult to locate and destroy.
The Vietcong possessed underground networks of tunnels
Passageways that contained hidden caches weapons and
supplies that were difficult to locate and destroy.
vc
Who Is the Enemy?
Who Is the Enemy?
Who’s your enemy?U.S. and South Vietnamese forces found it extremely difficult to fight
the Vietcong’s hit and run tactics.
Vietcong could easily blend into a village where they could move about freely since they did not belong to a “standard” army.
Who’s your enemy?U.S. and South Vietnamese forces found it extremely difficult to fight
the Vietcong’s hit and run tactics.
Vietcong could easily blend into a village where they could move about freely since they did not belong to a “standard” army.
Who Is the Enemy?
Who Is the Enemy?
vc1
Who Is the Enemy?
Who Is the Enemy?
vc2 Who Is the Enemy?
Who Is the Enemy?
The Ground War 1965-1968
The Ground War 1965-1968
No territorial goals Body counts on TV every night
(first “living room” war“living room” war)
Viet Cong supplies over the Ho Chi Minh TrailHo Chi Minh Trail
The Ground War1965-1968
The Ground War1965-1968
General WestmorelandGeneral Westmoreland, late 1967: “We can see the light at the end of the tunnel’”
•Wearing down to weaken or destroy; "a war of attrition"
The Tet Offensive, January 1968
The Tet Offensive, January 1968
N. Vietnamese Army + Viet Cong attack South simultaneously
80,000 attack 100 cities, bases and the US embassy in Saigon
Take every major southern city U.S. + ARVN beat back the
offensive Viet Cong destroyed
N. Vietnamese army debilitated
1964Gulf of Tonkin Incident
1965First sustained bombing of North Vietnam
1966U.S. air raids over Hanoi, 1966 to 1968
1968Tet Offensive, Jan. 30 to Feb. 24
The Vietnam War, The Vietnam War, 1964 to 19751964 to 1975
The Tet OffensiveThe Tet Offensive
US troops defending the American Embassy in Saigon
The Tet Offensive: A Turning PointThe Tet Offensive: A Turning Point
• On January 30, 1968, the Viet Cong and North Vietnam launched a major offensive. This series of attacks was called the Tet Offensive since it occurred during Tet, the Vietnamese New Year.
• During and after the Tet Offensive, both sides were guilty of brutal atrocities. Communists slaughtered anyone they labeled an enemy; Americans massacred hundreds of civilians at My Lai, a small village in South Vietnam. A helicopter crew that stopped the massacre was later rewarded, and the officer who had ordered it was imprisoned.
• Because Americans now knew that the Viet Cong could launch massive attacks, and because no end to the war was in sight, the Tet Offensive proved to be a major psychological victory for the Viet Cong and a turning point in the war.
The Tet Offensive, January 1968
The Tet Offensive, January 1968
Because of the Tet Offensive, the US media announced the US was
loosing the war.
Walter Cronkite, part of CBS news who opposed
the war after Tet.
Impact of the Tet OffensiveImpact of the Tet Offensive
Domestic U.S. Reaction: Disbelief, Anger, Distrust
of Johnson Administration
Hey, Hey LBJ! How Hey, Hey LBJ! How
many kids did you many kids did you kill today?kill today?
T a lks m a ke no progress
Pea ce ta lks begina fter T et to
ha lt the bom bing ofN orth V ietna m
PAR IS
G enera l W estm orela nda sks for m ore troops
Increa sed bom bing inSouth V ietna m
C ity of H ue' destroyedSVN reta kes cities a ndtow ns, but governm ent
loses support
SO U T HVIET N AM
N ixon w ins 1968Presidentia l E lection
R iots in C hica go duringD em ocra tic Pa rty
C onvention
D em ocra tic Pa rty sp lintersR obert K ennedy a ssa ssina ted
Johnson critic ized byH a w ks a nd D oves
Johnson steps dow nAm ericans want out of V ietnam
USA
T E T OF F E N S IV ENVA Invades South V ietnam
J anuary 1968
Impact of the Tet OffensiveImpact of the Tet Offensive
Are We Becoming the Enemy?
Are We Becoming the Enemy?
Lt. William Calley, Platoon Leader
My lai Massacre, 1968 200-500 unarmed villagers
Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry
1964Gulf of Tonkin Incident
1965First sustained bombing of North Vietnam
1966U.S. air raids over Hanoi, 1966 to 1968
1968Tet Offensive, Jan. 30 to Feb. 24
My Lai Massacre, March 16
The Vietnam War, The Vietnam War, 1964 to 19751964 to 1975