The Cold War - VietnamMarch 2009

M.A.D.?

Vietnam: Background

France had ruled IndochinaIndochina (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos) as a colony before WWII

WWII: Japan takes over Important in leading to Japan

v. US in WWII

After WWII (1945): Fr. tries to regain control but each country gains independence by 1954

Just for fun

Go to www.google.com and type in “French Military Victories” and hit the button that says “I’m feeling lucky.”

Vietnam: Division

1954: Geneva Conference: V. divided into: (1) Communist-controlled North V. under Ho

Chi Minh (2) Pro-western South Vietnam

Division supposed to end with national elections in 1956. Elections did not take place b/c S.V. knew Communists would win.

Communist Viet Cong guerillas will gain control of much of S.V. over several yrs.

UNCLE HO

Ho Chi Minh mausoleum

Guess which city is the

home of the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum!

Vietnam Maps

Vietnam: Domino Theory

U.S. belief that if one SE Asian country fell to Communism, the

rest would soon follow.

Vietnam: US Involvement

“Domino Theory” led to gradual US involvement supporting S.V.

1964: Tonkin Gulf Resolution: Congress authorizes military action in SE Asia.

US Presidents: Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-1969)

Richard M. Nixon (1969-1974)

Prior to Vietnam, what was the U.S.’ record in wars?

Vietnam: US soldiers

Pre-1969, draft according to age 1969: Lottery for draft by b’day Combat soldiers avg. age

WWII: 26 Vietnam: 22

“Tour of Duty:” Those enlisted &/or drafted required to serve just one year & then come home.

Potential Problems?

http://www.sss.gov/lotter1.htm

Vietnam: Fighting Superpower vs. Small “Third World” nation

Communist expansion or independence? Viet Cong used “unconventional warfare”

Avoid direct fighting, prolong war to demoralize enemy, etc.

Turning Point: Tet Offensive (Jan. 1968)Tet Offensive (Jan. 1968) Tet: Vietnamese New Year N.V. launched major attack but did not capture

any major cities ***US public now perceived US as losing &

began to question US objectives in V.***

Vietnam: Anti-War This photo

shows a SV executing what appears to be a defenseless Viet Cong prisoner. In fact, the prisoner had just killed 8 SV.

Photo by Eddie Adams, 1968

Eddie Adams

Eddie Adams

Tet Offensive Map

My Laihttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/vietnam/trenches/my_lai.html

Vietnam: US gets out After Tet, US protests led to gradual

removal of troops in area w/ policy of “de-escalation” (later “Vietnamization”)

Bombings intensified w/ Nixon 1973: All sides agree to ceasefire but

fighting continued 1975: Viet Cong defeats SV 1976: Vietnam unified as one

Communist country, Saigon becomes Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam: Results

400,000+ SV died 900,000+ NV & VC died 58,000 Americans died 10 million (about ½ of pop.) became

refugees http://www.archives.gov/research/

vietnam-war/casualty-statistics.html#age

Agent Orange

http://flickr.com/search/?q=agent+orange+victim

Agent Orange: Not Just in Vietnam

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4649452.stm

ROK $62 million

Vietnam: Some effects in US

2 Things US will try to avoid in future: Fighting w/o a clear EXIT STRATEGY*** US casualties***

*** = “Let me explain!”

“Big Mo” of the Montgomery (AL) Biscuits