The Vietnam WarThe Vietnam War

Timeline: What’s Happening?Timeline: What’s Happening?

United States:United States: 1965 – first major US 1965 – first major US

combat units arrive in combat units arrive in VietnamVietnam

1968 – RFK and MLK are 1968 – RFK and MLK are assassinatedassassinated

1970 – Kent State 1970 – Kent State MassacreMassacre

1973 – US signs cease-1973 – US signs cease-fire with North Vietnam fire with North Vietnam and Vietcongand Vietcong

WorldWorld:: 1966 – Mao Zedong 1966 – Mao Zedong

begins cultural revolution begins cultural revolution in Chinain China

1975 – Communists 1975 – Communists capture Saigon and capture Saigon and South Vietnamese South Vietnamese surrendersurrender

I. Causes of the WarI. Causes of the War

A. Domino TheoryA. Domino Theory

South Vietnam grew South Vietnam grew even more unstable even more unstable

President Johnson and President Johnson and the America public the America public feared communism – feared communism – Domino Theory – Domino Theory – once once one country becomes one country becomes communist, they will ALL communist, they will ALL become communist.become communist.

Follows along with the Follows along with the policy of containment.policy of containment.

B. The Tonkin Gulf ResolutionB. The Tonkin Gulf Resolution In 1964, a North Vietnam In 1964, a North Vietnam

torpedo was fired at an torpedo was fired at an American ship and missed.American ship and missed.

Two days later, the American Two days later, the American ships reported enemy fire and ships reported enemy fire and opened fire on enemy ships opened fire on enemy ships (later it was found that there (later it was found that there was no enemy fire)was no enemy fire)

Johnson decided then to start Johnson decided then to start dropping bombs on North dropping bombs on North VietnamVietnam

The The Tonkin Gulf ResolutionTonkin Gulf Resolution granted Johnson broad military granted Johnson broad military powers in Vietnam, and the powers in Vietnam, and the war begins.war begins.

C. War IgnitesC. War Ignites In 1965, eight Americans In 1965, eight Americans

were killed in an attack by were killed in an attack by the Vietcongthe Vietcong

In response, In response, Operation Operation Rolling ThunderRolling Thunder became became the first sustained the first sustained bombing of North bombing of North VietnamVietnam

Within 4 months more Within 4 months more than 50,000 US soldiers than 50,000 US soldiers were battling the were battling the Vietcong.Vietcong.

II. Early U.S. II. Early U.S. Involvement in VietnamInvolvement in Vietnam

A. Outlook of the WarA. Outlook of the War

At this time, the American At this time, the American public supported public supported Johnson’s determination Johnson’s determination to contain communism in to contain communism in VietnamVietnam

In 1965, 61% of In 1965, 61% of Americans supported the Americans supported the war.war.

He would later send large He would later send large numbers of troops to fight numbers of troops to fight alongside the South alongside the South Vietnamese.Vietnamese.

B. Troop Buildup Accelerates:B. Troop Buildup Accelerates:

How does the How does the number of U.S. number of U.S. troops in troops in Vietnam change Vietnam change over time?over time?

Why do you think Why do you think there is such a there is such a change in troop change in troop numbers?numbers?

C. Fighting in The JungleC. Fighting in The Jungle

US believed its US believed its superior weaponry superior weaponry would lead to victory would lead to victory over the over the Vietcong – Vietcong – Vietnamese guerilla Vietnamese guerilla warfare force.warfare force.

Vietcong used guerilla Vietcong used guerilla tactics because of tactics because of their lack of high their lack of high powered weaponry powered weaponry and their knowledge of and their knowledge of the jungle terrainthe jungle terrain

C. Fighting in the JungleC. Fighting in the Jungle The The VietcongVietcong lived lived

amongst the people, amongst the people, so it was hard to tell so it was hard to tell who was friend or foe.who was friend or foe.

Had elaborate Had elaborate networks of tunnels:networks of tunnels: Can serve as bomb Can serve as bomb

sheltersshelters Easy to launch Easy to launch

surprise attacks and surprise attacks and disappear.disappear.

D. Vietcong TunnelsD. Vietcong Tunnels

““The more the Americans The more the Americans tried to drive us away tried to drive us away from our land, the more from our land, the more we burrowed into it.” – we burrowed into it.” – Leader of the VietcongLeader of the Vietcong

The terrain was laced The terrain was laced with booby traps and land with booby traps and land mines from both sidesmines from both sides

Cu Chi Vietcong TunnelsCu Chi Vietcong Tunnels

Cu Chi Vietcong TunnelsCu Chi Vietcong Tunnels

E. U.S. Attack StrategyE. U.S. Attack Strategy

American forces tried to win American forces tried to win over the S. Vietnamese so over the S. Vietnamese so that they wouldn’t join the that they wouldn’t join the VietcongVietcong

US planes dropped US planes dropped NapalmNapalm – gas bombs – to set fire to – gas bombs – to set fire to the junglethe jungle

They also sprayed They also sprayed agent agent orangeorange – a leaf killing toxic – a leaf killing toxic chemical (cancerous)chemical (cancerous)

These weapons left villages These weapons left villages and innocent civilians and innocent civilians devastateddevastated

Exit TicketExit Ticket

In four sentences, answer In four sentences, answer these two questions:these two questions:1)1) What was the U.S. military’s What was the U.S. military’s

attack strategy in North attack strategy in North Vietnam?Vietnam?

2)2) Why did their attack strategy Why did their attack strategy not work?not work?

III. The Tide TurnsIII. The Tide Turns

A. Sinking MoraleA. Sinking Morale

Troops eventually Troops eventually became frustrated became frustrated because of:because of:

1. Guerilla warfare1. Guerilla warfare 2. Harsh Jungle 2. Harsh Jungle

ConditionsConditions 3. Making No 3. Making No

Headway against the Headway against the enemyenemy

B. Tet OffensiveB. Tet Offensive Jan. 30Jan. 30thth in the Vietnamese in the Vietnamese

equivalent to New Years –equivalent to New Years –usually a time of no usually a time of no fighting.fighting.

HOWEVER, the Vietcong HOWEVER, the Vietcong smuggles in weapons to smuggles in weapons to take over 100 cities and take over 100 cities and the US Embassy in South the US Embassy in South VietnamVietnam

This month long surge This month long surge would be called the would be called the Tet Tet Offensive Offensive and causes and causes many Americans to believe many Americans to believe the US is losing the war.the US is losing the war.

B. Tet OffensiveB. Tet Offensive This offensive This offensive

changed public changed public opinion very quicklyopinion very quickly

The media now The media now openly criticized the openly criticized the warwar

Johnson’s Johnson’s popularity started to popularity started to plummet to record plummet to record lows (the media lows (the media reinforced this)reinforced this)

C. A New PresidentC. A New President In the Election of In the Election of

1968, 1968, Richard Richard NixonNixon (Republican) (Republican) wins.wins.

He promised to end He promised to end the war in Vietnam.the war in Vietnam.

In the summer of In the summer of 1969, Nixon 1969, Nixon announced the first announced the first US troops US troops withdrawal from withdrawal from Vietnam.Vietnam.

D. VietnamizationD. Vietnamization

Nixons’s plan was called Nixons’s plan was called VietnamizationVietnamization – gradual – gradual withdraw of US troops in withdraw of US troops in order for the South order for the South Vietnamese to take a Vietnamese to take a more active combat role more active combat role in the war.in the war.

Over the next three Over the next three years, the number of years, the number of troops in Vietnam would troops in Vietnam would drop from 500,000 to drop from 500,000 to 25,00025,000

E. “Peace With Honor”E. “Peace With Honor”

The US wanted to The US wanted to “bow out” of the war “bow out” of the war gracefully….so…..gracefully….so…..

Nixon secretly began Nixon secretly began massive bombings in massive bombings in North Vietnam, Laos, North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia (Laos and Cambodia (Laos and Cambodia and Cambodia housed many housed many Vietcong bases)Vietcong bases)

F. The My Lai MassacreF. The My Lai Massacre In March of 1968 it was In March of 1968 it was

discovered that a US discovered that a US platoon massacred over platoon massacred over 200 innocent women and 200 innocent women and children in the small village children in the small village of of My LaiMy Lai (S. Vietnam) (S. Vietnam)

““I poured about four clips I poured about four clips into the group..the mothers into the group..the mothers hugging their children…hugging their children…Well, we kept right on Well, we kept right on firing.”firing.”

The war becomes even The war becomes even more unpopular and more unpopular and America is ready to America is ready to completely leave.completely leave.

G. The War EndsG. The War Ends On January 27, 1973, On January 27, 1973,

America signed a America signed a ““peace agreementpeace agreement””

N. Vietnamese troops N. Vietnamese troops would remain in S. would remain in S. Vietnam – Nixon Vietnam – Nixon promised to respond promised to respond with “full force” if the with “full force” if the peace treaty was peace treaty was violated.violated.

For America, the For America, the Vietnam War had Vietnam War had ended.ended.

H. The Fall of Saigon:H. The Fall of Saigon: The war however, raged on.The war however, raged on. Within months of the cease Within months of the cease

fire agreement, North and fire agreement, North and South Vietnam were South Vietnam were fighting againfighting again

South Vietnam asked for South Vietnam asked for help – the US sent $$ and help – the US sent $$ and weapons.weapons.

Soon after, Soon after, SaigonSaigon – S. – S. Vietnam capital, was taken Vietnam capital, was taken by the N. Vietnamese and by the N. Vietnamese and Vietnam became a unified Vietnam became a unified communist country.communist country.

Independent PracticeIndependent Practice

Imagine you lived during the Imagine you lived during the Vietnam War. Would you Vietnam War. Would you have supported it or have have supported it or have been against it? Take a been against it? Take a stance and provide evidence stance and provide evidence in a 6-8 sentence paragraph.in a 6-8 sentence paragraph.

IV. Legacy of the IV. Legacy of the Vietnam WarVietnam War

A. Manipulative DraftA. Manipulative Draft Most soldiers who fought in Most soldiers who fought in

Vietnam were selected in the Vietnam were selected in the draftdraft

Any male between the ages of Any male between the ages of 18-26 could be called to war18-26 could be called to war

Men tried to find ways around Men tried to find ways around the draft (medical exemptions, the draft (medical exemptions, joining the Coast / National joining the Coast / National Guard)Guard)

Men also enrolled in college Men also enrolled in college (deferment) – this created a (deferment) – this created a social gap ($$)social gap ($$)

80% of the soldiers in Vietnam 80% of the soldiers in Vietnam came from lower economic came from lower economic levels levels

B. The Living Room WarB. The Living Room War Vietnam’s violence was Vietnam’s violence was

televised nationallytelevised nationally The Johnson The Johnson

administration told the administration told the American public things American public things were going well – they were going well – they didn’t all believe it – didn’t all believe it – credibility gapcredibility gap (mixed (mixed messages)messages)

America’s youth would America’s youth would soon begin protesting soon begin protesting the warthe war

People were able to “watch” a war for People were able to “watch” a war for the first time because of television the first time because of television coverage.coverage. Saw the effects of Agent OrangeSaw the effects of Agent Orange News channels gave the daily number of News channels gave the daily number of

Americans who died.Americans who died.

Caused Americans to think the U.S. Caused Americans to think the U.S. wasn’t making progress and for them wasn’t making progress and for them to want the U.S. to leave Vietnam.to want the U.S. to leave Vietnam.

C. American Support of the Vietnam WarC. American Support of the Vietnam War

People began protests to end the People began protests to end the war:war:

Didn’t like the draft being usedDidn’t like the draft being used Discouraged after the Tet Offensive.Discouraged after the Tet Offensive. Others believed Vietnam should Others believed Vietnam should

decide what government to have on decide what government to have on its own without U.S. influence. its own without U.S. influence.

After President Nixon invaded After President Nixon invaded Cambodia, many protests broke Cambodia, many protests broke out.out.

Kent State University protest Kent State University protest (1970)(1970)– protest at a college in – protest at a college in Ohio.Ohio.

Police shot and killed 4 people, which Police shot and killed 4 people, which created outrage.created outrage.

D. Vietnam War ProtestsD. Vietnam War Protests

Pentagon Papers – named of government Pentagon Papers – named of government documents leaked by Daniel Ellsberg to the documents leaked by Daniel Ellsberg to the New York Times New York Times in 1971.in 1971. Showed that the government had tried to cover Showed that the government had tried to cover

up some of the bad things it did in Vietnam.up some of the bad things it did in Vietnam. The government tried to arrest Ellbserg for The government tried to arrest Ellbserg for

espionage (releasing government secrets) but espionage (releasing government secrets) but were unsuccessful.were unsuccessful.

People lost even more trust in the government People lost even more trust in the government and rallied even harder to end the war – even and rallied even harder to end the war – even more of a credibility gap.more of a credibility gap.

D. Vietnam War ProtestsD. Vietnam War Protests

E. American LossesE. American Losses

The Vietnam War:The Vietnam War: 58,000 American killed58,000 American killed 303,000 wounded303,000 wounded North and South North and South

Vietnamese deaths Vietnamese deaths topped 2,000,000topped 2,000,000

The war left many The war left many Americans cautious about Americans cautious about their government.their government.

F. American Veterans Cope Back F. American Veterans Cope Back HomeHome

The nation extended a “cold The nation extended a “cold hand” to the troops hand” to the troops returning from Vietnamreturning from Vietnam

No parades, no cheering No parades, no cheering crowds.crowds.

About 15% of troops were About 15% of troops were treated for PTSD, with treated for PTSD, with many more suffering from many more suffering from drug, alcohol abuse, an drug, alcohol abuse, an suicidesuicide

The Veterans Memorial was The Veterans Memorial was created in D.C. in 1982 to created in D.C. in 1982 to honor those who served in honor those who served in the war.the war.

G. Changes from VietnamG. Changes from Vietnam

After Vietnam the After Vietnam the government would government would abolish the draftabolish the draft

In 1973, Congress also In 1973, Congress also passed the passed the War Powers War Powers ActAct – president must – president must inform Congress of inform Congress of military decisionsmilitary decisions

The war diminished The war diminished American faith in their American faith in their governmentgovernment

Independent PracticeIndependent Practice

Imagine you are a Vietnam War Imagine you are a Vietnam War veteran. Write a diary entry to explains:veteran. Write a diary entry to explains:

1) Why you fought in Vietnam1) Why you fought in Vietnam 2) What it was like fighting in Vietnam2) What it was like fighting in Vietnam 3) What life’s been like since you’ve 3) What life’s been like since you’ve

come back to the United Statescome back to the United States

Exit TicketExit Ticket1) Why did events of the Vietnam War have the ability to 1) Why did events of the Vietnam War have the ability to influence U.S. public opinion as no other war had done influence U.S. public opinion as no other war had done before?before?

a. U.S. citizens knew nothing about the enemy.a. U.S. citizens knew nothing about the enemy.

b. This was the first war viewed extensively on television.b. This was the first war viewed extensively on television.

c. The president did not have a clear policy.c. The president did not have a clear policy.

d. Reports from overseas said the United States was d. Reports from overseas said the United States was losing the war.losing the war.

Exit TicketExit Ticket2) What did the Tet Offensive and Nixon’s decision to invade 2) What did the Tet Offensive and Nixon’s decision to invade Cambodia all have in common?Cambodia all have in common?

a. They each served to greatly weaken communist resistance a. They each served to greatly weaken communist resistance in Vietnam.in Vietnam.

b. They each sparked protests against the U.S. war effort back b. They each sparked protests against the U.S. war effort back home in the United States.home in the United States.

c. They each involved wartime atrocities on the part of U.S. c. They each involved wartime atrocities on the part of U.S. troops.troops.

d. They each occurred during the presidency of Richard Nixon.d. They each occurred during the presidency of Richard Nixon.

Exit TicketExit Ticket

3) How did the Vietnam War have a lasting 3) How did the Vietnam War have a lasting impact on the United States? Explain two impact on the United States? Explain two ways.ways.