This unit picks up again with the Cold War. List the events that we have talked about over the Cold War from the 1950’s.

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This the story At the beginning of WWII, the Japanese occupied many East and Southeast Asian countries as well as many Pacific islands. At the end of the war, as part of the Japanese surrender, they had to abide by the Postdam Agreement regarding Vietnam.

The Potsdam Agreement stated that the Japanese troops located above the 16th parallel surrendered to the Chinese, north of Vietnam. Troops south of the 16th parallel surrendered to the British in Siagon.

Why does this matter?

The Japanese had to surrender to China who will become communist in 1949, which means that communism will spread to North Vietnam. Because of the domino theory, the US will respond militarily a lot like we did in Korea to stop the spread of communism.

During the Cold War the United States gave political/military support to various leaders and groups all round the world competing against communist guerrillas or governments in order to keep a balance of power. We did this in Latin America as well as Africa.

REASONS AND OUTCOMES FOR U.S. INVOLVEMENT IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO THE

DOMINO THEORY

Vietnam - • Reasons

• Support of the Potsdam Agreements (same agreement split up Germany at the end of WWII spells out what will happen to the Japanese at the end of the war)

• Create stable environment for growth and recovery of Japan, France, and Britain

• Continued change in American political environment (different presidential personalities and national goals)

• Domino Theory and containment – the idea that the spread of communism was unacceptable

• Growing economic interest in Asia

Escalation – increase of U.S. forces by President Lyndon B. Johnson

MAJOR ISSUES AND EVENTS OF THE VIETNAM WAR

Tet Offensive – full-scale offensive by regular, North Vietnamese Army and irregular forces to attack the command-and-control centers of the South Vietnamese, U.S., and other allies. The intent was to create a general uprising and overthrow the Saigon government.

This is the story…. The Tet Offensive began on January 31, 1968. Tet is the

Vietnamese New Year

The purpose of the Tet Offensive was to topple the Saigon government in a single blow by attacking civilian and U.S. command centers all throughout Vietnam.

The main reason this was such success for North Vietnam was because pictures of the offensive were getting back to the U.S. and support for the war dropped drastically.

Turning Point The Tet offensive was a major turning

point for the war and it was not good for the U.S. and South Vietnam.

It was the turning point because it attacked the supporters of the war in the U.S.

The U.S. won this battle however, on television it appeared to Americans that we were losing because they saw fighting in the American Embassy. It made Americans question whether we were really winning the war and questioned our trust in government.

Effects of the Tet Offensive on American Opinion

Walter Cronkite Tet Offensive Reporthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn4w-ud-TyE

What effect did the Tet Offensive have on public opinion at home?

Discussion Question:

Changes in Military/Foreign Policy after Tet Offensive

Vietnamization – change in U.S. Military policy in Vietnam by President Nixon and his top negotiator Henry Kissinger. This policy focused on equipping, training, and giving more responsibility for combat actions to local South Vietnamese forces. At the same time, U.S. ground forces started to be drawn down and transitioned to more of an advisory role. “peace with honor”

Nixon Kissinger

How did the Tet Offensive change foreign policy?

How did the plan of Vietnamization help Richard Nixon get elected?

Discussion Question:

Invasion of Cambodia – after claiming to trying to bring the war to an end, Nixon orders the invasion of Cambodia to stop Vietnamese supply lines. This sets of massive student protests in the U.S.

Why did the Invasion of Cambodia cause such a violent protest movement at home?

Discussion Question:

Fall of Saigon – pivotal moment at the end of the Vietnam War; U.S. forces had been ordered out of the country; after their withdrawal, the North Vietnamese Army marched into Saigon and took control of the country.

Attack at the Embassy and Saigon

At the attack of Saigon they did not want a total takeover of the city but instead to just capture five primary targets in the downtown area of the city.

The five targets were the U.S. Embassy, the Tan Son Nhut air base, Independence palace, the Long Binh Naval headquarters, and the National Radio station.

Did the U.S. leave a stable government in South Vietnam?

Let’s say the military knew that South Vietnam was not a stable government, why would we decide to leave Saigon to fall to the North Vietnamese?

Discussion: Fall of Saigon

What does this event show about American foreign policy?

Discussion: Fall of Saigon