Ch. 24: The Vietnam Ch. 24: The Vietnam WarWar

(1954-1975)(1954-1975)

Section 1: The War UnfoldsSection 1: The War Unfolds

American interest and involvement in Vietnam began long American interest and involvement in Vietnam began long before they committed troops during the 1960s. before they committed troops during the 1960s.

BackgroundBackground

Vietnam was an independent Vietnam was an independent country for nearly 2,000 country for nearly 2,000 years.years.

In the 1800s, France took In the 1800s, France took Vietnam as a colony. Vietnam as a colony.

During and after WWII, Ho During and after WWII, Ho Chi Minh led in the fight for Chi Minh led in the fight for independence. independence.

Ho Chi Minh headed the Ho Chi Minh headed the League for the Independence League for the Independence of Vietnam, the Vietminh. of Vietnam, the Vietminh.

Geneva AccordsGeneva Accords

In 1954, an In 1954, an international international conference in Geneva, conference in Geneva, Switzerland met.Switzerland met.

These Geneva Accords These Geneva Accords determined that determined that Vietnam would be Vietnam would be divided into two divided into two nations, North and nations, North and South Vietnam.South Vietnam.

Divided VietnamDivided Vietnam

North Vietnam became a North Vietnam became a Communist nation, led by Communist nation, led by Ho Chi Minh.Ho Chi Minh.

South Vietnam was anti-South Vietnam was anti-Communist, led by Ngo Communist, led by Ngo Dinh Diem.Dinh Diem.

The country was supposed The country was supposed to hold elections in 1956 to hold elections in 1956 and reunify, but the South and reunify, but the South refused believing the refused believing the Communists wouldn’t be Communists wouldn’t be fair.fair.

U.S. InvolvementU.S. Involvement

The Truman Doctrine stated that America would give aid to any nation The Truman Doctrine stated that America would give aid to any nation threatened by Communism.threatened by Communism.

As early as 1950, the U.S. was giving money to France to support their war As early as 1950, the U.S. was giving money to France to support their war against Ho Chi Minh.against Ho Chi Minh.

When the French left, Eisenhower began aiding South Vietnam.When the French left, Eisenhower began aiding South Vietnam. By 1960, 675 U.S. military advisors were in South Vietnam.By 1960, 675 U.S. military advisors were in South Vietnam.

Kennedy and VietnamKennedy and Vietnam

Determined to stop the Determined to stop the spread of Communism, spread of Communism, Kennedy offered full Kennedy offered full support to South support to South Vietnam.Vietnam.

Diem said they needed Diem said they needed more aid to survive.more aid to survive.

By 1963 there were By 1963 there were 16,000 U.S. military 16,000 U.S. military advisors in South advisors in South Vietnam.Vietnam.

Ngo Dinh DiemNgo Dinh Diem Diem, South Vietnam’s Diem, South Vietnam’s

leader, become very leader, become very unpopular.unpopular.– Imprisoned those who Imprisoned those who

criticized him criticized him – Corrupt; gave jobs to friendsCorrupt; gave jobs to friends– Catholic in a Buddhist Catholic in a Buddhist

country, insisted that the country, insisted that the country obey Catholic country obey Catholic religious lawsreligious laws

Protests began, Protests began, Buddhist monks set Buddhist monks set themselves on fire in themselves on fire in the street. the street.

Diem’s DownfallDiem’s Downfall

Kennedy realized South Kennedy realized South Vietnam couldn’t be Vietnam couldn’t be unified around Diem.unified around Diem.

U.S. officials told South U.S. officials told South Vietnamese officials that Vietnamese officials that the U.S. wouldn’t object to the U.S. wouldn’t object to Diem’s overthrow.Diem’s overthrow.

In November 1963, In November 1963, military leaders staged a military leaders staged a coup and assassinated coup and assassinated Diem as he fled. Diem as he fled.

Robert McNamaraRobert McNamara

Robert McNamara was Kennedy and Johnson’s Secretary of Defense.Robert McNamara was Kennedy and Johnson’s Secretary of Defense. Brilliant, former president of Ford, efficient manager. Brilliant, former president of Ford, efficient manager. Vietnam is sometimes called McNamara’s War, as he provided a lot of Vietnam is sometimes called McNamara’s War, as he provided a lot of

the policy and strategy that he believed necessary to win the war. the policy and strategy that he believed necessary to win the war. In later life, McNamara confessed that Vietnam was a major mistake.In later life, McNamara confessed that Vietnam was a major mistake.

Data v. Understanding Data v. Understanding HistoryHistory

McNamara didn't know anything about Vietnam. Nor did the McNamara didn't know anything about Vietnam. Nor did the rest of us working with him. But Americans didn't have to rest of us working with him. But Americans didn't have to know the culture and history of a place. All we needed to do know the culture and history of a place. All we needed to do was apply our military superiority and resources in the right was apply our military superiority and resources in the right way. We needed to collect the right data, analyze the way. We needed to collect the right data, analyze the information properly and come up with a solution on how to information properly and come up with a solution on how to win the war. McNamara did just that until sometime in late win the war. McNamara did just that until sometime in late 1965. Then he began to wonder, perhaps because of the 1965. Then he began to wonder, perhaps because of the bad dreams he was having as American casualties mounted, bad dreams he was having as American casualties mounted, whether the war could actually be won--no matter how whether the war could actually be won--no matter how smart we were. Then he began to understand that as long smart we were. Then he began to understand that as long as we were in Vietnam and willing to fight and die, we could as we were in Vietnam and willing to fight and die, we could not lose--but also that we could not win, that the war was an not lose--but also that we could not win, that the war was an open-ended stalemate.open-ended stalemate.

Read more: Read more: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1909627,00.html#ixzz18cLXcu00

McNamaraMcNamara

Johnson Inherits the WarJohnson Inherits the War

Just three weeks after Diem was assassinated, JFK was killed. Just three weeks after Diem was assassinated, JFK was killed. LBJ was forced to take over the war and most voices, such as LBJ was forced to take over the war and most voices, such as

McNamara, pushed for increased U.S. involvement. McNamara, pushed for increased U.S. involvement. Johnson said “I am not going to be the President who saw Johnson said “I am not going to be the President who saw

Southeast Asia go the way China went.”Southeast Asia go the way China went.”

Communist AdvancesCommunist Advances

Diem’s successors were also Diem’s successors were also unpopular and unsuccessful.unpopular and unsuccessful.

Communist guerilla fighters in the Communist guerilla fighters in the south, known as Viet Cong gained south, known as Viet Cong gained increasing territory and loyalty within increasing territory and loyalty within South Vietnam. South Vietnam.

Expanding the WarExpanding the War In August, 1964, Johnson In August, 1964, Johnson

announced that North announced that North Vietnam had attacked U.S. Vietnam had attacked U.S. destroyers in the Gulf of destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin, international waters.Tonkin, international waters.

Some doubted the severity or Some doubted the severity or even existence of the attacks, even existence of the attacks, but they gave Johnson but they gave Johnson leverage.leverage.

Congress passed the Gulf of Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving LBJ Tonkin Resolution, giving LBJ nearly unlimited power in nearly unlimited power in Vietnam without needing to Vietnam without needing to officially declare war. officially declare war.

1964 Election1964 Election In the 1964 Elections In the 1964 Elections

between Lyndon B. between Lyndon B. Johnson and Barry Johnson and Barry Goldwater…Goldwater…– LBJ was considered the LBJ was considered the

“dove” or peace candidate“dove” or peace candidate– Goldwater the “hawk” or Goldwater the “hawk” or

war candidatewar candidate While we don’t know While we don’t know

what Goldwater would’ve what Goldwater would’ve done in office, ironically, done in office, ironically, LBJ greatly expanded the LBJ greatly expanded the war in Vietnam after war in Vietnam after being reelected. being reelected.

Section 2: Fighting the WarSection 2: Fighting the War

The Vietnam War was an unconventional war, fought The Vietnam War was an unconventional war, fought in swamps and jungles and using guerilla warfare. in swamps and jungles and using guerilla warfare.

Guerilla WarfareGuerilla Warfare

Vietnam is full of Vietnam is full of jungles and swamps.jungles and swamps.

The U.S. had far The U.S. had far superior arms and superior arms and supplies, but the Viet supplies, but the Viet Cong used their Cong used their knowledge of the land knowledge of the land to their advantage.to their advantage.

Used guerilla warfare, Used guerilla warfare, continual hit and run continual hit and run attacks from hidden attacks from hidden locations. locations.

The Ground WarThe Ground War

Viet Cong worked in Viet Cong worked in small groups and small groups and launched sneak launched sneak attacks.attacks.

Hid in elaborate Hid in elaborate underground tunnels; underground tunnels; some contained some contained hospitals, stores, hospitals, stores, running water and running water and electricity.electricity.

Sabotage/Booby TrappingSabotage/Booby Trapping The Viet Cong set various The Viet Cong set various

booby traps…booby traps…– Camouflaged pit filled with Camouflaged pit filled with

sharp stakes, sometimes sharp stakes, sometimes poisoned.poisoned.

– Land mines that exploded Land mines that exploded when stepped on; often when stepped on; often triggered by trip wire.triggered by trip wire.

Americans didn’t know Americans didn’t know which Vietnamese were which Vietnamese were their enemies, and as a their enemies, and as a result killed many result killed many Southern Vietnamese as Southern Vietnamese as well.well.

The Air WarThe Air War Americans carpeted Vietnam Americans carpeted Vietnam

with saturation bombing, with saturation bombing, thousands of explosives over thousands of explosives over large areas.large areas.

Dropped a chemical called Dropped a chemical called “Agent Orange” on dense “Agent Orange” on dense jungle landscape to the jungle landscape to the forest and expose Viet Cong.forest and expose Viet Cong.– Agent Orange also killed crops Agent Orange also killed crops

and caused health problems.and caused health problems. Used napalm, a jellylike Used napalm, a jellylike

chemical dropped from chemical dropped from planes that burned planes that burned uncontrollably.uncontrollably.– Stuck to people’s bodies and Stuck to people’s bodies and

seared off flesh.seared off flesh.

1965-68: Escalation1965-68: Escalation

By 1965, the Viet By 1965, the Viet Cong were Cong were expanding in South expanding in South Vietnam.Vietnam.

Supplies poured into Supplies poured into the south through the south through the Ho Chi Minh the Ho Chi Minh Trail.Trail.

Johnson began a Johnson began a rapid buildup of rapid buildup of American troops.American troops.

Escalation by NumbersEscalation by Numbers The number of U.S. soldiers in Vietnam…The number of U.S. soldiers in Vietnam…

– 1964: 25,0001964: 25,000– 1965: 184,0001965: 184,000– 1966: 385,0001966: 385,000– 1967: 485,0001967: 485,000– 1968: 536,0001968: 536,000

Over 3 million U.S. soldiers ending up fighting in VietnamOver 3 million U.S. soldiers ending up fighting in Vietnam

The Tet OffensiveThe Tet Offensive In 1968, during Tet, the In 1968, during Tet, the

Vietnamese New Year Vietnamese New Year holiday, the Viet Cong and holiday, the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese North Vietnamese launched a major launched a major offensive throughout all of offensive throughout all of South Vietnam, including South Vietnam, including Siagon.Siagon.

The attack came as a The attack came as a surprise given the holiday.surprise given the holiday.

Fierce fighting continued Fierce fighting continued for weeks. for weeks.

Turning PointTurning Point The Tet Offensive The Tet Offensive

marked a turning point marked a turning point in the war.in the war.

Showed that North Showed that North Vietnam was capable Vietnam was capable of a massive scale of a massive scale offensive and was not offensive and was not going to surrender.going to surrender.

Images from the Images from the offensive flooded offensive flooded American televisions American televisions and quickly ended any and quickly ended any remaining support for remaining support for the war and Johnson. the war and Johnson.

Massacre at My LaiMassacre at My Lai

Amidst distress and violence, both Amidst distress and violence, both sides committed atrocities.sides committed atrocities.

U.S. troops heard that My Lai, a small U.S. troops heard that My Lai, a small village, was sheltering members of village, was sheltering members of the Viet Cong.the Viet Cong.

When they moved in they found only When they moved in they found only women, children, and old men.women, children, and old men.

They rounded all of them up, 400 They rounded all of them up, 400 people, and shot them all.people, and shot them all.

Section 3: Political DivisionsSection 3: Political Divisions

While some supported the war, increasing While some supported the war, increasing opposition polarized the country and gave birth to opposition polarized the country and gave birth to the peace movement. the peace movement.

Student ActivismStudent Activism

Change was ramped in the 60-70s. Change was ramped in the 60-70s. The baby-boomer generation was The baby-boomer generation was

graduating high school as the Vietnam War graduating high school as the Vietnam War escalated.escalated.

Brought many new changes: college, Civil Brought many new changes: college, Civil Rights Movement, rock and roll, rebellion, Rights Movement, rock and roll, rebellion, drugs, etc. drugs, etc.

Created a generational gap of values.Created a generational gap of values. Rebellion against Vietnam was part of the Rebellion against Vietnam was part of the

nonconformity of the times. nonconformity of the times.

New LeftNew Left

Many of the young Many of the young adults that witnessed adults that witnessed problems such as problems such as poverty, racism, and poverty, racism, and Vietnam called for Vietnam called for radical changes.radical changes.

This new political This new political climate of radical climate of radical change and activism change and activism was known as the was known as the New Left.New Left.

Draft ResistanceDraft Resistance

A draft had been in effect since 1951.A draft had been in effect since 1951. In 1965, President Johnson doubled In 1965, President Johnson doubled

the number of draftees, then doubled the number of draftees, then doubled it again.it again.

Increased draftees caused society to Increased draftees caused society to question the war and the fairness of a question the war and the fairness of a draft.draft.

People protested, claimed handicaps, People protested, claimed handicaps, conscientious-objection, or fled the conscientious-objection, or fled the country.country.

ProtestsProtests

In 1968, more than 200 demonstrations were held at In 1968, more than 200 demonstrations were held at colleges throughout the U.Scolleges throughout the U.S..

Johnson Decides Not to RunJohnson Decides Not to Run

LBJ’s popularity rapidly LBJ’s popularity rapidly decreased as a result of decreased as a result of the war.the war.

Just before the Just before the Democratic primaries Democratic primaries began, Robert Kennedy, began, Robert Kennedy, a critic of the war, a critic of the war, announced his announced his candidacy.candidacy.

Soon afterward, Johnson Soon afterward, Johnson declared he would not declared he would not seek another term.seek another term.

1968 Election1968 Election Bobby Kennedy was Bobby Kennedy was

assassinated before the assassinated before the election.election.

Johnson’s Vice President, Johnson’s Vice President, Hubert Humphrey, was Hubert Humphrey, was the Democratic Nomineethe Democratic Nominee

Richard Nixon was the Richard Nixon was the Republican Candidate.Republican Candidate.

Humphrey had Humphrey had supported Johnson’s supported Johnson’s foreign policy, making foreign policy, making him unpopular.him unpopular.

Nixon claimed a secret Nixon claimed a secret plan that would end the plan that would end the war.war.

Nixon VictoryNixon Victory

Section 4: The End of the Section 4: The End of the WarWar

When Nixon became President, he began When Nixon became President, he began decreasing the number of soldiers, but increased decreasing the number of soldiers, but increased bombing levels. Finally the U.S. pulled out entirely.bombing levels. Finally the U.S. pulled out entirely.

Nixon and VietnamizationNixon and Vietnamization

In 1969, President Nixon announced his policy of Vietnamization. In 1969, President Nixon announced his policy of Vietnamization. Removing American soldiers and shifting the responsibility of the fighting Removing American soldiers and shifting the responsibility of the fighting

to the South Vietnamese.to the South Vietnamese. Over the next 3 years, numbers of U.S. soldiers reduced to only 24,000 by Over the next 3 years, numbers of U.S. soldiers reduced to only 24,000 by

1972.1972.

CambodiaCambodia

Nixon felt it necessary to withdraw troops Nixon felt it necessary to withdraw troops to appease the public, but still was to appease the public, but still was determined to win the war.determined to win the war.

Ordered secret bombing raids on major Ordered secret bombing raids on major targets.targets.

In 1970, Nixon chose to invade Cambodia, In 1970, Nixon chose to invade Cambodia, where many Viet Cong camps and supplies where many Viet Cong camps and supplies were located.were located.

Resulted in chaos and civil war in Resulted in chaos and civil war in Cambodia and increased U.S. protest.Cambodia and increased U.S. protest.

The Silent MajorityThe Silent Majority Nixon believed, and Nixon believed, and

argued, that the radical argued, that the radical voices of war protest were voices of war protest were not representative of the not representative of the whole country.whole country.

He asked for the support of He asked for the support of those he called the “silent those he called the “silent majority”. majority”.

Discouraged protests and Discouraged protests and activism from the “vocal activism from the “vocal minority” that threatened minority” that threatened to become the dominant to become the dominant narrative. narrative.

Kent State UniversityKent State University Antiwar protests reached a Antiwar protests reached a

peak in 1970, after the peak in 1970, after the invasion of Cambodia. invasion of Cambodia.

At Kent State University in At Kent State University in Ohio, students angrily Ohio, students angrily protested at the University.protested at the University.

The Ohio National Guard was The Ohio National Guard was called in.called in.

In response to violence from In response to violence from the protestors, they poured the protestors, they poured tear gas and then opened fire tear gas and then opened fire on the students.on the students.

Four students were killed and Four students were killed and nine wounded.nine wounded.

Paris Peace Talks: 1973Paris Peace Talks: 1973

Fighting continued and despite less troops, Nixon ordered Fighting continued and despite less troops, Nixon ordered the most extensive bombing yet in 1972.the most extensive bombing yet in 1972.

In January, 1973, the U.S., S. Vietnam, N. Vietnam, and the In January, 1973, the U.S., S. Vietnam, N. Vietnam, and the Viet Cong all met to sign an agreement in Paris, France.Viet Cong all met to sign an agreement in Paris, France.– The U.S. would withdraw all forces within 60 days.The U.S. would withdraw all forces within 60 days.– All POWs would be released.All POWs would be released.– All parties would end activity in Laos and Cambodia.All parties would end activity in Laos and Cambodia.

South Vietnam/Saigon FallsSouth Vietnam/Saigon Falls

The U.S. pulled out entirely in 1973, but the war between N&S continued until 1975.The U.S. pulled out entirely in 1973, but the war between N&S continued until 1975. N. Vietnam steadily gained ground during this time.N. Vietnam steadily gained ground during this time. A final offensive in April, 1975 led to the surrender of Saigon’s government and the A final offensive in April, 1975 led to the surrender of Saigon’s government and the

creation of a single nation, Communist Vietnam. creation of a single nation, Communist Vietnam.

Southeast Asia After WarSoutheast Asia After War The “domino theory” The “domino theory”

proved only partially true.proved only partially true. After Vietnam, Laos and After Vietnam, Laos and

Cambodia also became Cambodia also became Communist countries, but Communist countries, but no more.no more.

In Cambodia, leadership In Cambodia, leadership fell to Pol Pot and the fell to Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge.Khmer Rouge.– Pol Pot killed roughly Pol Pot killed roughly

1.5 million 1.5 million Cambodians, a quarter Cambodians, a quarter of the population. of the population.

Death Tolls from the WarDeath Tolls from the War U.S.U.S.

– 58,000 killed (300,000 wounded & 2,500 POW 58,000 killed (300,000 wounded & 2,500 POW or MIA)or MIA)

South Vietnamese ArmySouth Vietnamese Army– 250,000 killed (estimate)250,000 killed (estimate)

North Vietnam & the Viet CongNorth Vietnam & the Viet Cong– 1,100,000 (estimate)1,100,000 (estimate)

Legacy of the WarLegacy of the War

The U.S. had spent $150 billion on the The U.S. had spent $150 billion on the war.war.

Unlike former wars, soldiers were not Unlike former wars, soldiers were not welcomed home as heroes. welcomed home as heroes.

Many veterans suffered from post Many veterans suffered from post traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. traumatic stress disorder and anxiety.

More bombs were dropped on Vietnam More bombs were dropped on Vietnam than on all the Axis powers during than on all the Axis powers during WWII.WWII.

DivisionDivision

The war polarized the country that The war polarized the country that wars before had not.wars before had not.

The nation remained divided on The nation remained divided on other issues even after the war. other issues even after the war.

Vietnam Veterans MemorialVietnam Veterans Memorial Due to national wounds, Due to national wounds,

no memorial was made no memorial was made quickly.quickly.

In 1979 a committee In 1979 a committee held a contest for held a contest for designers to submit designers to submit ideas for a memorial.ideas for a memorial.

The winner was a 21-The winner was a 21-year-old college student, year-old college student, Maya Ying Lin.Maya Ying Lin.

Designed a long wall of Designed a long wall of black granite with names black granite with names in order of death.in order of death.