Slide 1

THE VIETNAM WARTHE VIETNAM WAR, 1946-, 1946-75 75

(the (the 10,000 Day War10,000 Day War))

Mr. ButtellMr. ButtellAMH HonorsAMH HonorsWBHSWBHS

Slide 2

Phase OnePhase OneVietnam ColonialismVietnam Colonialism

Slide 3

French Rule in VietnamFrench Rule in Vietnam Late 1800s—WWII, France Late 1800s—WWII, France

rules most of Indochinarules most of Indochina Ho Chi MinhHo Chi Minh—leader of —leader of

Vietnamese independence Vietnamese independence movementmovement– Creates Indochinese Communist Creates Indochinese Communist

PartyParty 1940, Japanese take control of 1940, Japanese take control of

Vietnam (WWII)Vietnam (WWII) VietminhVietminh—organization that —organization that

aims to rid Vietnam of foreign aims to rid Vietnam of foreign rulerule

Sept. 1945, Ho Chi Minh Sept. 1945, Ho Chi Minh declares Vietnam an declares Vietnam an independent nationindependent nation

French troops move back in; French troops move back in; French fight to regain cities in French fight to regain cities in SouthSouth

1950, U.S. gives econ. aid to 1950, U.S. gives econ. aid to France to stop communismFrance to stop communism

Slide 4

Vietminh Drive Out the FrenchVietminh Drive Out the French Domino Theory in Domino Theory in

actionaction Colonial war raged Colonial war raged

from 1946-54, from 1946-54, culminating in the culminating in the French defeat at French defeat at DienbienphuDienbienphu

France surrenders and France surrenders and calls for peace conf.calls for peace conf.

Geneva Accords divide Geneva Accords divide Vietnam at 17Vietnam at 17thth parallel; parallel; Communists get northCommunists get north

Election to unify Election to unify country is called for in country is called for in 19561956

Slide 5

Diem Cancels ElectionsDiem Cancels Elections Ho – popular for land Ho – popular for land

distribution, but distribution, but repressiverepressive

Diem refuses national Diem refuses national electionelection

U.S. promises military U.S. promises military aid for Southaid for South

Diem corrupt, stifles Diem corrupt, stifles opposition, restricts opposition, restricts BuddhismBuddhism

VietcongVietcong (communist (communist opposition group in opposition group in South) kills officialsSouth) kills officials

Ho sends arms to Ho sends arms to Vietcong along Vietcong along Ho Chi Ho Chi Minh TrailMinh Trail

Slide 6

Kennedy and VietnamKennedy and Vietnam Like Eisenhower, JFK Like Eisenhower, JFK

backs Diem financially; backs Diem financially; sends “military advisers”sends “military advisers”

Diem’s popularity Diem’s popularity plummets from plummets from corruption/lack of land corruption/lack of land reformreform

Diem presses attacks on Diem presses attacks on Buddhism; monks burn Buddhism; monks burn themselves in protestthemselves in protest

U.S. supported military U.S. supported military coup topples govt.; Diem coup topples govt.; Diem assassinatedassassinated

Slide 7

South Grows More UnstableSouth Grows More Unstable

Succession of military Succession of military leaders rule S. leaders rule S. Vietnam; country Vietnam; country unstableunstable

LBJ thinks U.S. can LBJ thinks U.S. can lose international lose international prestige if communists prestige if communists winwin

Slide 8

The Tonkin Gulf ResolutionThe Tonkin Gulf Resolution Alleged attack in Gulf of Alleged attack in Gulf of

Tonkin; LBJ asks for Tonkin; LBJ asks for power to repel enemypower to repel enemy

1964 1964 Tonkin Gulf Tonkin Gulf Resolution Resolution gives him gives him broad military powersbroad military powers

1965 8 Americans killed, 1965 8 Americans killed, LBJ orders sustained LBJ orders sustained bombing of Northbombing of North

U.S. combat troops sent U.S. combat troops sent to S. Vietnam to battle to S. Vietnam to battle VietcongVietcong

Slide 9

Phase TwoPhase TwoAmerican InterventionAmerican Intervention

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Support for ContainmentSupport for ContainmentLBJ hesitates LBJ hesitates

breaking promise to breaking promise to keep troops out; keep troops out; works withworks with– Sec. of Defense Sec. of Defense

Robert McNamaraRobert McNamara, , Sec. of State Sec. of State Dean Dean RuskRusk

Congress, majority Congress, majority of public support of public support sending troopssending troops

Slide 11

““Americanization” AcceleratesAmericanization” Accelerates

Gen. Gen. William William WestmorelandWestmoreland—U.S. —U.S. commander in South commander in South VietnamVietnam

Thinks southern Thinks southern Army Army of the Republic of of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) Vietnam (ARVN) ineffectiveineffective

Requests increasing Requests increasing numbers; by 1967 numbers; by 1967 500,00 U.S. troops500,00 U.S. troops

Slide 12

An Elusive EnemyAn Elusive Enemy

Vietcong use hit-and-Vietcong use hit-and-run, ambush tactics, run, ambush tactics, move among civiliansmove among civilians

Tunnels help Tunnels help withstand airstrikes, withstand airstrikes, launch attacks, launch attacks, connect villagesconnect villages

Terrain laced with Terrain laced with booby traps, land booby traps, land mines laid by U.S., mines laid by U.S., VietcongVietcong

Slide 13

Battle for “Hearts and Minds”Battle for “Hearts and Minds” U.S. wants to stop Vietcong U.S. wants to stop Vietcong

from winning support of rural from winning support of rural populationpopulation

Weapons for exposing tunnels Weapons for exposing tunnels often wound civilians, destroy often wound civilians, destroy villagesvillages– NapalmNapalm: gasoline-based bomb : gasoline-based bomb

that sets fire to junglethat sets fire to jungle– Agent OrangeAgent Orange: leaf-killing toxic : leaf-killing toxic

chemicalchemical Search-and-destroy missions Search-and-destroy missions

move civilian suspects, destroy move civilian suspects, destroy propertyproperty

Villagers go to cities, refugee Villagers go to cities, refugee camps; 1967, over 3 million camps; 1967, over 3 million refugeesrefugees

Slide 14

Sinking MoraleSinking Morale

Guerilla warfare, jungle Guerilla warfare, jungle conditions, lack of conditions, lack of progress, lowers progress, lowers moralemorale

Many soldiers turn to Many soldiers turn to alcohol, drugs; some alcohol, drugs; some kill superior officerskill superior officers

Govt. corruption & Govt. corruption & instability lead S. instability lead S. Vietnamese to Vietnamese to demonstratedemonstrate

Slide 15

Fulfilling a DutyFulfilling a Duty

Most U.S. soldiers Most U.S. soldiers believe in justice of believe in justice of halting communismhalting communism

Fight courageously, Fight courageously, take patriotic pride in take patriotic pride in fulfilling their dutyfulfilling their duty

Slide 16

The Great Society SuffersThe Great Society Suffers

War grows more costly War grows more costly with more troops; with more troops; inflation rate risinginflation rate rising

LBJ gets tax increase LBJ gets tax increase to pay for war, check to pay for war, check inflationinflation– Has to accept $6 billion Has to accept $6 billion

funding cut for Great funding cut for Great SocietySociety

Slide 17

The Living-Room WarThe Living-Room War

Combat footage on Combat footage on nightly TV news shows nightly TV news shows stark picture of warstark picture of war

Critics say Critics say credibility credibility gap gap between between administration reports administration reports and eventsand events

Sen. J. William Sen. J. William Fulbright’s hearings Fulbright’s hearings add to doubts about add to doubts about warwar

Slide 18

Phase ThreePhase ThreeA Nation DividedA Nation Divided

Slide 19

A “Manipulatable” DraftA “Manipulatable” Draft

Selective Service Selective Service System, System, draftdraft, calls men , calls men 18-26 to military service18-26 to military service

Thousands look for Thousands look for ways to avoid the draftways to avoid the draft

Many—mostly white, Many—mostly white, affluent—get college affluent—get college defermentdeferment

80% of U.S. soldiers 80% of U.S. soldiers come from lower come from lower economic levelseconomic levels

Slide 20

African Americans in VietnamAfrican Americans in Vietnam

A.A. serve in A.A. serve in disproportionate disproportionate numbers in ground numbers in ground combatcombat

Defense Dept. corrects Defense Dept. corrects problem by instituting problem by instituting draft lottery in 1969draft lottery in 1969

Racial tensions high in Racial tensions high in many platoons; add to many platoons; add to low troop moralelow troop morale

Slide 21

Women Join the RanksWomen Join the Ranks

10,000 women serve, 10,000 women serve, mostly as military mostly as military nursesnurses

Thousands volunteer: Thousands volunteer: American Red Cross, American Red Cross, United Services United Services OrganizationOrganization

Slide 22

The New LeftThe New Left

New Left—youth New Left—youth movement of 1960s, movement of 1960s, demand sweeping changesdemand sweeping changes

Students for a Democratic Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), Free Society (SDS), Free Speech Movement (FSM):Speech Movement (FSM):– Criticize big business, Criticize big business,

government; want greater government; want greater individual freedomindividual freedom

New Left ideas spread New Left ideas spread across collegesacross colleges

Students protest campus Students protest campus issues, Vietnam warissues, Vietnam war

Slide 23

Movement GrowsMovement Grows In 1965, protest marches, In 1965, protest marches,

rallies draw tens of rallies draw tens of thousandsthousands

1966, student deferments 1966, student deferments require good academic require good academic standingstanding– SDS calls for civil SDS calls for civil

disobedience; counsels disobedience; counsels students to go abroadstudents to go abroad

Small numbers of Small numbers of returning veterans returning veterans protest; protest songs protest; protest songs popularpopular

Slide 24

From Protest to ResistanceFrom Protest to Resistance

Antiwar Antiwar demonstrations, demonstrations, protests increase, protests increase, some become violentsome become violent

Some men burn draft Some men burn draft cards; some refuse to cards; some refuse to serve; some flee to serve; some flee to CanadaCanada

Slide 25

War Divides the NationWar Divides the NationDoves strongly Doves strongly

oppose war, believe oppose war, believe U.S. should withdrawU.S. should withdraw

Hawks favor sending Hawks favor sending greater forces to win greater forces to win the warthe war

1967 majority of 1967 majority of Americans support Americans support war, consider war, consider protesters disloyalprotesters disloyal

Slide 26

Johnson Remains DeterminedJohnson Remains Determined

LBJ continues slow LBJ continues slow escalation, is escalation, is criticized by both criticized by both hawks and doveshawks and doves

Combat stalemate Combat stalemate leads Defense Sec. leads Defense Sec. McNamara to resignMcNamara to resign

Slide 27

1968: A Tumultuous 1968: A Tumultuous YearYear

Slide 28

Tet OffensiveTet Offensive

1968 villagers go to cities 1968 villagers go to cities to celebrate theTet holiday. to celebrate theTet holiday. (Vietnamese New Year)(Vietnamese New Year)

Vietcong among crowd Vietcong among crowd attack over 100 towns, 12 attack over 100 towns, 12 U.S. air basesU.S. air bases

Tet Offensive lasts 1 month Tet Offensive lasts 1 month before U.S., S. Vietnam before U.S., S. Vietnam regain controlregain control

Westmoreland declares Westmoreland declares attacks are military defeat attacks are military defeat for Vietcongfor Vietcong

Slide 29

Tet Changes Public OpinionTet Changes Public Opinion

Before Tet, most Before Tet, most Americans hawks; after Americans hawks; after Tet, hawks, doves both Tet, hawks, doves both 40%40%

Media criticizes warMedia criticizes war LBJ appoints Clark Clifford LBJ appoints Clark Clifford

as Sec. of Defenseas Sec. of Defense Clifford concludes war is Clifford concludes war is

unwinnableunwinnable LBJ’s popularity drops; LBJ’s popularity drops;

60% disapprove his 60% disapprove his handling of the warhandling of the war

Slide 30

Johnson WithdrawsJohnson Withdraws

Sen. Eugene McCarthy Sen. Eugene McCarthy runs for Dem. runs for Dem. Nomination as doveNomination as dove

Sen. Robert Kennedy Sen. Robert Kennedy enters race after LBJ’s enters race after LBJ’s poor showing in NHpoor showing in NH

LBJ announces will LBJ announces will seek peace talks, will seek peace talks, will not run for reelectionnot run for reelection

Slide 31

Violence and Protest in NationViolence and Protest in Nation

Riots rock over 100 Riots rock over 100 cities after MLK, Jr. is cities after MLK, Jr. is killedkilled

Kennedy wins CA Kennedy wins CA primary; is fatally shot primary; is fatally shot for supporting Israelfor supporting Israel

Major demonstrations Major demonstrations on over 100 college on over 100 college campusescampuses

Slide 32

Turbulent Race for PresidentTurbulent Race for President

VP Hubert Humphrey wins VP Hubert Humphrey wins Democratic nominationDemocratic nomination

Over 10,000 demonstrators Over 10,000 demonstrators go to Chicagogo to Chicago

Mayor Richard Daley Mayor Richard Daley mobilizes police, National mobilizes police, National GuardGuard

Protestors try to march to Protestors try to march to convention; police beat convention; police beat them; riotingthem; rioting

Delegates to convention Delegates to convention bitterly debate antiwar bitterly debate antiwar plankplank

Slide 33

Nixon TriumphsNixon Triumphs

Nixon works for party for Nixon works for party for years, wins 1968 years, wins 1968 Republican nominationRepublican nomination

Campaign promises: Campaign promises: restore law and order, end restore law and order, end war in Vietnamwar in Vietnam

Gov. George Wallace is Gov. George Wallace is third-party candidatethird-party candidate

Champions segregation, Champions segregation, states’ rights; attracts states’ rights; attracts protest weary whitesprotest weary whites

Nixon wins presidencyNixon wins presidency

Slide 34

The End of the War The End of the War & Its Legacy& Its Legacy

Slide 35

““Vietnamization”Vietnamization”

Nixon finds Nixon finds negotiations not negotiations not progressingprogressing

National Security National Security Advisor, Henry Advisor, Henry Kissinger works on new Kissinger works on new planplan

Vietnamization—U.S. Vietnamization—U.S. troops withdraw, S. troops withdraw, S. Vietnam troops take Vietnam troops take overover

Slide 36

““Peace with Honor”Peace with Honor”

Nixon calls for “peace Nixon calls for “peace with honor” to maintain with honor” to maintain U.S. dignityU.S. dignity

Orders bombing of N. Orders bombing of N. Vietnam, Vietcong Vietnam, Vietcong hideouts in Laos and hideouts in Laos and CambodiaCambodia

Slide 37

Troubles Continue on Troubles Continue on HomefrontHomefront

Silent Majority—Silent Majority—moderate, mainstream moderate, mainstream people who support people who support warwar

News breaks that U.S. News breaks that U.S. platoon massacred platoon massacred civilians in My Lai civilians in My Lai villagevillage

Lt. William Calley, Jr., Lt. William Calley, Jr., in command, is in command, is convicted, imprisonedconvicted, imprisoned

Slide 38

Invasion of CambodiaInvasion of Cambodia

1970, U.S. troops invade 1970, U.S. troops invade Cambodia to clear out Cambodia to clear out enemy supply centersenemy supply centers

1.5 million protesting 1.5 million protesting college students close college students close down 1,200 campusesdown 1,200 campuses

National Guard kill 4 at National Guard kill 4 at Kent State Univ.Kent State Univ.

2 killed during confrontation 2 killed during confrontation at Jackson State in MSat Jackson State in MS

100,000 construction 100,000 construction workers rally in NYC to workers rally in NYC to support govt.support govt.

Slide 39

The Pentagon PapersThe Pentagon Papers

Nixon invades Nixon invades Cambodia; Congress Cambodia; Congress repeals Tonkin Gulf repeals Tonkin Gulf ResolutionResolution

Papers show plans to Papers show plans to enter war under LBJenter war under LBJ

Confirm belief of many Confirm belief of many that govt. not honest that govt. not honest about intentionsabout intentions

Slide 40

America’s Longest War EndsAmerica’s Longest War Ends

1971, 60% think U.S. 1971, 60% think U.S. should withdraw from should withdraw from Vietnam by end of yearVietnam by end of year

1972 N. Vietnamese 1972 N. Vietnamese attack; U.S. bomb attack; U.S. bomb cities, mines Haiphong cities, mines Haiphong harborharbor

Kissinger announces Kissinger announces “peace is at hand”“peace is at hand”

Slide 41

Fall of SaigonFall of Saigon

S. Vietnam rejects S. Vietnam rejects Kissinger plan; talks Kissinger plan; talks break off; bombing break off; bombing resumesresumes

Congress calls for end Congress calls for end to war; peace signed to war; peace signed Jan. 1973Jan. 1973

Cease-fire breaks Cease-fire breaks down; South down; South surrenders after North surrenders after North invades 1975invades 1975

Slide 42

Vets back HomeVets back Home

58,000 Americans, 58,000 Americans, over 2 million North, over 2 million North, South Vietnamese die South Vietnamese die in warin war

Returning veterans Returning veterans face indifference, face indifference, hostility at homehostility at home

About 15% develop About 15% develop PTSDPTSD

Slide 43

Further Turmoil in SE AsiaFurther Turmoil in SE Asia

Communists put Communists put 400,000 S. Vietnamese 400,000 S. Vietnamese in labor camps; 1.5 in labor camps; 1.5 million fleemillion flee

Civil war breaks out in Civil war breaks out in Cambodia; Khmer Cambodia; Khmer Rouge seize powerRouge seize power

Want to establish Want to establish peasant society; kill at peasant society; kill at least 1 million peopleleast 1 million people

Slide 44

Legacy of VietnamLegacy of Vietnam

Govt. abolishes military Govt. abolishes military draftdraft

1973 Congress passes 1973 Congress passes War Powers Act: War Powers Act: – President must inform President must inform

Congress within 48 hours of Congress within 48 hours of deploying troopsdeploying troops

– 90 day max deployment 90 day max deployment without Congressional without Congressional approvalapproval

War contributes to cynicism War contributes to cynicism about govt., political about govt., political leadersleaders