VIETNAM

INDO-CHINA WAR

1946 – 1954

Geneva Convention

17th Parallel: South Vietnam is a French state (independent but tied to France) under Diem and supported by US: Republic of Vietnam

North is under Ho Chi Minh/Communists: Democratic Republic of Vietnam

VIETMINH

Revolutionary army who fought for the independence of Vietnam from France

NVA AND VC Vietcong (National Liberation Front):

South Vietnamese insurgents who wanted to overthrow Diem’s corrupt government

Not all were Communists; many were peasants with no political links

NVA: North Vietnamese Army: The army of North Vietnam; supported Vietcong

VC were the initial “enemy”, but later in war the NVA became a bigger player

DIEM FALLS… SOUTH IS VULNERABLE

Country is ripe for civil war North Vietnam wants country to be unified

(as Communist) Lack of strong leadership Popular support for land reform being

implemented in NV Peasants hopeful for more reforms

GULF OF TONKIN

1964 USS Maddox “attacked” twice in the Gulf of Tonkin

Leads to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER

Johnson orders post Gulf of Tonkin Bombing air raids over North Vietnam 3 years Targets lines of

communication/transportation Ultimately not very effective

DA NANG IT ALL…

First Marines sent to Da Nang Number of troops ramps up:

up to 200k; 500k by ‘67 War escalates

- This was SUPPOSE to be quick and easy…

IRON TRIANGLE

VC built tunnels to transport supplies and personnel without being detected

Site of VC activity US finds in ‘67 and tries to bomb, but not

completely successful Bombing isn’t working – the VC is not

breaking

THIS WAS A DIFFERENT KIND OF WAR

Booby Traps Land mines Guerrillas hiding

everywhere Ambushes

TET OFFENSIVE 1968

“Tet” is the Vietnamese holiday Had previously been a ceasefire day South Vietnam and US caught completely

off guard Wave of attacks: - early in the morning

80k troops Over 100 cities/towns Well orchestrated

TET LEADS TO HUE

Allies suffer losses due to the surprise, but quickly regroup

Mass casualties on VC and NVA Battle of Hue: 1 month long

US regained territory Served as a wakeup call that VC and NVA were

not giving up and were capable of an attack like Tet

US CIA and Military Assistance of Command couldn’t agree on number of insurgents

http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/my-lai-massacre/videos

PACIFICATION US Policy to “Pacify” the villagers “Counter-insurgency” – Chain reaction

Combination of fear and appeal to people VC uses the population for recruits with promises of land reform VC also use threats of terrorism To overcome, US wants to cutoff the VC access to the population

Drive out guerrillas Train the people Resurrect local police Having established security and freed the people from the fear

of retribution, programs need to be developed to capture public support

MY LAI MASSACRE: 1968

US Charlie Co. 11th Under directive of Lt. Calley massacre est. 500 civilians and covers it up https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEs3s4jCZ7M

BACK HOME

PROTESTS!!! Anti-war rallies Teach Ins Public is becoming more and more aware of

situation Public support of war declines with awareness Confused Fed up – When is this going to end? Expensive

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uaaO57dTbg&feature=youtu.be

PUBLIC OPINION

CORE (Congress On Racial Equality) declares that the war is a burden on minorities due to the draft

The cartoon says “Me?... I’m only on my way to save democracy in Vietnam!”

What is ironic about this?

What is this saying about protestors?

What does this represent? What is the US trying to do?

What is this cartoon saying about the Vietnam war? Johnson has his hand on his holster that says “Atomic War”.

What are these saying about the war? Do the cartoonists think that the US had intentions of just getting in and out of Vietnam?

What is this saying about Containment?

What is the cartoonist saying about how the war was being presented to the public? What is really happening?