war in vietnam. france attempted to regain control of vietnam after wwii (1950s). france attempted...

War in War in VietnamVietnam

War in VietnamWar in Vietnam

France attempted to regain control of France attempted to regain control of Vietnam after WWII (1950s).Vietnam after WWII (1950s).

Ho Chi MinhHo Chi Minh – communist leader in – communist leader in Vietnam.Vietnam.– Supported by Soviet Union and China.Supported by Soviet Union and China.

VietminhVietminh – wanted to win Vietnam’s – wanted to win Vietnam’s independence from foreign rule.independence from foreign rule.


Domino theoryDomino theory – countries could fall to – countries could fall to communism one after another like a row of communism one after another like a row of dominoes.dominoes.

In the 1950s, U.S. sent economic aid In the 1950s, U.S. sent economic aid ($1billion) to France.($1billion) to France.


But . . . France surrendered in 1954 at But . . . France surrendered in 1954 at Dien Bien PhuDien Bien Phu..

1717thth Parallel Parallel - divided North Vietnam - divided North Vietnam (communist) and South Vietnam (anti-(communist) and South Vietnam (anti-communist).communist).


In the 1960s, Kennedy sent economic aid In the 1960s, Kennedy sent economic aid and “military advisers” to Vietnam.and “military advisers” to Vietnam.

VietcongVietcong – communist group in South – communist group in South Vietnam.Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh TrailHo Chi Minh Trail – moved North – moved North Vietnamese troops and supplies to the Vietnamese troops and supplies to the South.South.


Kennedy was Kennedy was assassinated in assassinated in 1963.1963.

Johnson pushed the Johnson pushed the U.S. further into U.S. further into conflict in Vietnam.conflict in Vietnam.

CONTAINMENTCONTAINMENT


August 2, 1964 – North Vietnamese fired August 2, 1964 – North Vietnamese fired a torpedo at an American ship in the a torpedo at an American ship in the Gulf of Tonkin.Gulf of Tonkin.

““All necessary measures . . . to prevent All necessary measures . . . to prevent further aggression.”further aggression.”

Tonkin Gulf ResolutionTonkin Gulf Resolution – Congress – Congress did not declare war, but did grant did not declare war, but did grant Johnson broad military power.Johnson broad military power.

War in VietnamWar in Vietnam In 1965, Johnson began sending large In 1965, Johnson began sending large

numbers of American troops to Vietnam.numbers of American troops to Vietnam.

Robert McNamaraRobert McNamara – Secretary of – Secretary of DefenseDefense

General William WestmorelandGeneral William WestmorelandAmerican commander in South VietnamAmerican commander in South Vietnam

By 1967, nearly 500,000 American troops By 1967, nearly 500,000 American troops were in Vietnam.were in Vietnam.

War in VietnamWar in Vietnam Soldiers were frustrated fighting in the Soldiers were frustrated fighting in the

jungle terrain against enemy’s guerilla jungle terrain against enemy’s guerilla tactics.tactics.

Vietcong were disguised as average Vietcong were disguised as average villagers and could attack at anytime.villagers and could attack at anytime.

Vietcong also used underground tunnels, Vietcong also used underground tunnels, traps, and land mines.traps, and land mines.


Westmoreland sought to defeat Vietcong Westmoreland sought to defeat Vietcong by destroying morale and wearing down by destroying morale and wearing down their troops.their troops.

High High body countbody count would cause Vietcong would cause Vietcong to surrender.to surrender.

NOT!!!NOT!!!


NapalmNapalm – gasoline bomb to burn – gasoline bomb to burn jungles.jungles.

Agent OrangeAgent Orange – leaf-killing toxic – leaf-killing toxic chemical.chemical.

VISIBILITYVISIBILITY

War in VietnamWar in Vietnam American morale American morale

dropped!!!dropped!!!

Johnson raised taxes Johnson raised taxes to pay for the war in to pay for the war in Vietnam.Vietnam.

GREAT SOCIETY . . . GREAT SOCIETY . . . WHAT???WHAT???


Vietnam was America’s first “living room Vietnam was America’s first “living room war.”war.”

Credibility gapCredibility gap – public distrust of – public distrust of government’s statements about the war.government’s statements about the war.

America was divided!!!America was divided!!!

A Nation A Nation DividedDivided


DraftDraft Could avoid the draft by going to college.Could avoid the draft by going to college.

““Working-class war”Working-class war”

Some burnt draft cards at protests or Some burnt draft cards at protests or fled to Canada!!!fled to Canada!!!


Young people became a powerful and Young people became a powerful and vocal group of protesters!!!vocal group of protesters!!!

New LeftNew Left – youth movement that called – youth movement that called for changes in American society.for changes in American society.

University of California at BerkeleyUniversity of California at Berkeley

How many roads must a man walk How many roads must a man walk downdownBefore you call him a man?Before you call him a man?Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove saildove sailBefore she sleeps in the sand?Before she sleeps in the sand?Yes, 'n' how many times must the Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls flycannon balls flyBefore they're forever banned?Before they're forever banned?The answer, my friend, is blowin' in The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,the wind,The answer is blowin' in the wind.The answer is blowin' in the wind.

How many times must a man look upHow many times must a man look upBefore he can see the sky?Before he can see the sky?Yes, 'n' how many ears must one Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man haveman haveBefore he can hear people cry?Before he can hear people cry?Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knowstill he knowsThat too many people have died?That too many people have died?The answer, my friend, is blowin' in The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,the wind,The answer is blowin' in the wind.The answer is blowin' in the wind.

How many years can a mountain How many years can a mountain existexistBefore it's washed to the sea?Before it's washed to the sea?Yes, 'n' how many years can some Yes, 'n' how many years can some people existpeople existBefore they're allowed to be free?Before they're allowed to be free?Yes, 'n' how many times can a Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head,man turn his head,Pretending he just doesn't see?Pretending he just doesn't see?The answer, my friend, is blowin' The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,in the wind,The answer is blowin' in the wind.The answer is blowin' in the wind.

Blowin’ in the Wind

Words and Music by Bob Dylan


However, most Americans remained However, most Americans remained committed to Johnson and the war in committed to Johnson and the war in Vietnam.Vietnam.

Until . . . Until . . .

19681968


Vietnamese New Year = TetVietnamese New Year = Tet

U.S. and Vietnam called a truce!!!U.S. and Vietnam called a truce!!!

Tet OffensiveTet Offensive – Vietcong launched a – Vietcong launched a surprise attack on more than 100 towns surprise attack on more than 100 towns in and U.S. air bases in South Vietnam.in and U.S. air bases in South Vietnam.


MILITARY = VICTORYMILITARY = VICTORY

POLITICAL = LOSSPOLITICAL = LOSS

Americans were being told the U.S. was Americans were being told the U.S. was close to winning the war.close to winning the war.

Credibility gapCredibility gap


The media criticized the war and many The media criticized the war and many Americans turned against the war.Americans turned against the war.

Could not be won!!!Could not be won!!!

Tet Offensive = TURNING POINT Tet Offensive = TURNING POINT (WATERSHED)(WATERSHED)


In 1968, Johnson announced that he In 1968, Johnson announced that he would negotiate to end the war.would negotiate to end the war.

ALSOALSO

He would not run for re-election.He would not run for re-election.

CASUALTY OF WARCASUALTY OF WAR


April 1968 – April 1968 – Dr. Martin Luther King, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Jr. was assassinated was assassinated

June 1968 – June 1968 – Robert KennedyRobert Kennedy was was assassinatedassassinated

Americans broke out into violence and Americans broke out into violence and protest!!!protest!!!


1968 Democratic 1968 Democratic National ConventionNational Convention

Nearly 10,000 anti-war Nearly 10,000 anti-war protesters gatheredprotesters gathered

Chicago police sprayed Chicago police sprayed them with mace and them with mace and beat them.beat them.

War in VietnamWar in Vietnam Election of 1968 . . . Election of 1968 . . .

Richard NixonRichard Nixon (Rep) becomes President (Rep) becomes President


Henry KissingerHenry Kissinger – National Security – National Security AdviserAdviser

VietnamizationVietnamization – gradual withdrawal – gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops to allow South Vietnam to of U.S. troops to allow South Vietnam to take over the war.take over the war.

. . . 1973. . . 1973


My LaiMy Lai – U.S. troops massacred nearly – U.S. troops massacred nearly 200 Vietnamese villagers.200 Vietnamese villagers.

Nixon ordered troops to invade Nixon ordered troops to invade Cambodia to destroy the Ho Chi Minh Cambodia to destroy the Ho Chi Minh Trail.Trail.

Kent State UniversityKent State University – 4 protesters – 4 protesters killed and 9 wounded.killed and 9 wounded.

Legacy of War in VietnamLegacy of War in Vietnam

““America’s longest war” finally ended in America’s longest war” finally ended in 19731973

58,000 Americans killed58,000 Americans killed

Distrust of governmentDistrust of government

Generation gap between young people Generation gap between young people and olderand older

Legacy of War in VietnamLegacy of War in Vietnam

Returning veterans were not celebrated, Returning veterans were not celebrated, PTSD, and Agent Orange exposurePTSD, and Agent Orange exposure

Sough Vietnam surrendered Sough Vietnam surrendered

Further instability in Southeast AsiaFurther instability in Southeast Asia

war in vietnam. france attempted to regain control of vietnam after wwii (1950s). france attempted...

Documents

room war

control of vietnam

north vietnam communist

south vietnam anticommunist

vietcong communist group

vietnamese troops

american society

south vietnamby