The Vietnam War

1954 - 1975

The Vietnam War

1954 - 1975

I.) Background to the War

I.) Background to the War

A.A. Pre-WarPre-War: : 1. “1. “IndochinaIndochina” a colony of France ” a colony of France sincesince

the late 19the late 19thth century century 2. 2. In 1924In 1924: : Ho Chi Minh Ho Chi Minh organizesorganizes

Vietnamese revolutionariesVietnamese revolutionaries3. 3. Indochinese Communist Party Indochinese Communist Party created created

in 1930 in 1930 4. 4. VietminhVietminh formed in 1940 formed in 1940

GoalGoal: to win independence for : to win independence for VietnamVietnam

B. B. WWIIWWII: :

1. 1. 19401940: : JapanJapan seizes control of Vietnam seizes control of Vietnam

C. C. PostwarPostwar: :

1. 1. September 1945September 1945: : Ho Chi Minh Ho Chi Minh

declares Vietnam independentdeclares Vietnam independent

2. 2. Late 1945Late 1945: France sends in troops to : France sends in troops to

regain Vietnam regain Vietnam

3. 3. In 1950In 1950: U.S. offers economic and military : U.S. offers economic and military

support to fight the communist aggressorsupport to fight the communist aggressor

z In 1954In 1954: Eisenhower explains the : Eisenhower explains the Domino Theory Domino Theory

““If you line up a row of If you line up a row of dominos, you knock dominos, you knock over the first one and over the first one and what will happen to the what will happen to the last one is the certainty last one is the certainty that it will go over very that it will go over very quickly”.quickly”.

4. 4. May 1954May 1954: The French lost to : The French lost to VietViet MinhMinh forces in 1954 at forces in 1954 at Dien Bien Dien Bien PhuPhu

5. 5. Geneva AccordsGeneva Accords divides Vietnam divides Vietnam

at the 17at the 17thth parallel w/new parallel w/new

elections in 1956elections in 1956O Ho Chi Minh’sHo Chi Minh’s nationalist nationalist

forces controlled the Northforces controlled the NorthO Ngo Dinh DiemNgo Dinh Diem, French-educated, French-educated Roman Catholic claimed the SouthRoman Catholic claimed the South

II.) The U.S. Steps Into Vietnam

II.) The U.S. Steps Into Vietnam

A. Diem A. Diem cancels countrywide elections of cancels countrywide elections of 195619561. 1. Ho Chi MinhHo Chi Minh: popular support of the : popular support of the North North

and is seen as a national heroand is seen as a national hero2. 2. Ngo Dinh DiemNgo Dinh Diem: repressive & corrupt : repressive & corrupt 3. 3. President EisenhowerPresident Eisenhower: sends 275 : sends 275 militarymilitary

aides to train South Vietnam aides to train South Vietnam ““We will sink or swim We will sink or swim with Ngo Dinh Diem”.with Ngo Dinh Diem”.

Protests of Diem’s Government

Protests of Diem’s Government

Self-Emolation by a Buddhist MonkSelf-Emolation by a Buddhist Monk

B. B. In 1957In 1957: : the Vietcong the Vietcong (opposition groups in South (opposition groups in South Vietnam) emerge and carry Vietnam) emerge and carry out attacks on government out attacks on government officialsofficials

C. C. In 1959In 1959: : Ho Chi Minh trail Ho Chi Minh trail created to support created to support Vietcong w/arms from the Vietcong w/arms from the North via a path along North via a path along borders of Vietnam, Laos, borders of Vietnam, Laos, & Cambodia& Cambodia

.

.

.

D. D. President KennedyPresident Kennedy elected 1960 elected 19601. 1. Increases military “advisors” Increases military “advisors”

to 16,000to 16,000

2. 2. In 1963In 1963: JFK supports a : JFK supports a Vietnamese Vietnamese

military military coup d’etatcoup d’etat (Diem (Diem and his brother are murdered)and his brother are murdered)

““In the final analysis, In the final analysis, it’s their war”.it’s their war”.

.

.

.

III.) LBJ Expandsthe Conflict

III.) LBJ Expandsthe Conflict

A. Believed Communist takeover of South A. Believed Communist takeover of South Vietnam would be disastrous. Vietnam would be disastrous.

““I’m not going to I’m not going to be the president be the president who saw Southeast who saw Southeast Asia go the way Asia go the way China went”.China went”.

B. B. Tonkin Gulf Incident Tonkin Gulf Incident

August 2,1964August 2,1964: USS Maddox fired : USS Maddox fired upon by N. Vietnamese boatupon by N. Vietnamese boat

August 4, 1964August 4, 1964: USS Maddox reports : USS Maddox reports of more torpedoes fired and U.S. of more torpedoes fired and U.S. launch bombing strikes on N. Vietnam launch bombing strikes on N. Vietnam

C. C. Tonkin Gulf Resolution Tonkin Gulf Resolution

August 7, 1964August 7, 1964: Congress grants LBJ : Congress grants LBJ to carry out military operations in to carry out military operations in VietnamVietnam

““The Blank CheckThe Blank Check” ”

““I request all I request all necessary measures necessary measures to repel any armed to repel any armed attack against forces attack against forces of the U.S. and to of the U.S. and to prevent further prevent further aggression”.aggression”.

IV.) U.S. Escalation & Involvement

IV.) U.S. Escalation & InvolvementA. A. March 2, 1965March 2, 1965: : Operation Rolling Operation Rolling

Thunder Thunder beginbegin sustained bombing of sustained bombing of North VietnamNorth Vietnam

B. B. End of 1965End of 1965: U.S. had 180,000 : U.S. had 180,000 American troops in VietnamAmerican troops in Vietnam

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

1961 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968

U.S. Troops

C. C. General WestmorelandGeneral Westmoreland: the American: the American commander in Vietnam asks for more troopscommander in Vietnam asks for more troops

“ “ The AVRN cannot The AVRN cannot stand up to the stand up to the

pressure without pressure without substantial U.S. substantial U.S.

combat support on combat support on the ground”the ground”

D. D. Army of the Republic of Vietnam Army of the Republic of Vietnam (AVRN)(AVRN): the South Vietnamese Army: the South Vietnamese Army

V.) Vietnam War: New Type of WarV.) Vietnam War: New Type of War

United StatesUnited States: :

superior army and weaponry

North VietnameseNorth Vietnamese: : elusive enemy w/guerrilla tactics

•Ambush attacks•Hid within civilian population•Elaborate Tunnels•Booby traps & Land Mines

Who Is the Enemy?

Who Is the Enemy?

Example of Tunnel System Used by Vietcong

VI.) U.S. Strategy & Tactics in Vietnam

VI.) U.S. Strategy & Tactics in Vietnam

A. A. StrategyStrategy::- Destroy N.Vietnamese Morale- Destroy N.Vietnamese Morale- Win Support of S.Vietnamese rural population- Win Support of S.Vietnamese rural population

B. New Tactics:B. New Tactics:1. 1. NapalmNapalm: gasoline based bomb that set fire : gasoline based bomb that set fire

to the jungle to the jungle 2. 2. Agent OrangeAgent Orange: toxic leaf killing chemical used : toxic leaf killing chemical used

to expose Vietcong hiding placesto expose Vietcong hiding places3. 3. Search & Destroy MissionsSearch & Destroy Missions: uproot civilians: uproot civilians

w/suspected ties to Vietcongw/suspected ties to Vietcong

VII.) U.S. Divided on the Home

Front

VII.) U.S. Divided on the Home

FrontA. A. “Living Room War”: “Living Room War”: Reporters bring Reporters bring the war home w/body counts on TV the war home w/body counts on TV every nightevery night

B. B. Draft:Draft: selects U.S. citizens ages selects U.S. citizens ages 18-26 to fight in Vietnam18-26 to fight in VietnamC. Troops morale begins to fall: C. Troops morale begins to fall: z Disproportionate Disproportionate

representation of poor representation of poor people and minorities.people and minorities.

z Severe racial problems.Severe racial problems.z Major drugMajor drug

problems.problems.

D. Johnson’s popularity dropped in D. Johnson’s popularity dropped in 1968 1968 from 48% to 36%from 48% to 36%

VII.) The Protest Movement

VII.) The Protest Movement

A. 1960’s A. 1960’s New LeftNew Left emerges emerges1. demand changes to American society1. demand changes to American society

B. B. College students College students lead groups:lead groups:1. 1. Students for Democratic Society Students for Democratic Society (1960)(1960)2. 2. Free Speech Movement Free Speech Movement (1964)(1964)

C. C. Why protestWhy protest??1. conflict is a civil war which U.S. had no 1. conflict is a civil war which U.S. had no buisness inbuisness in2. S. Vietnamese govt. was no better than a2. S. Vietnamese govt. was no better than a

communist govt.communist govt.3. war was draining strength in other parts of 3. war was draining strength in other parts of the worldthe world4. U.S. cannot police the whole world4. U.S. cannot police the whole world5. war was morally unjust 5. war was morally unjust

Anti-WarDemonstrations

March on March on WashingtonWashington19651965

30,000 protestors30,000 protestors

Anti-WarDemonstrations

Columbia UniversityColumbia University19671967

Student Student Protestors Protestors

at Univ. of CA at Univ. of CA in Berkeley, 1968in Berkeley, 1968

Anti-War Demonstrations

Anti-War Demonstrations

Democratic Democratic Convention in Convention in Chicago, 1968Chicago, 1968

Anti-War Demonstrations

Anti-War Demonstrations

New York Central New York Central Park Protest, Park Protest,

19671967

Anti-War Demonstrations

Anti-War Demonstrations

““Hell no, Hell no, we won’t we won’t

go!”go!”

“Hanoi Jane”“Hanoi Jane”

Jane Fonda: Traitor?Jane Fonda: Traitor?

“ Tin soldiers and Nixon coming,We’re finally on our own.

This summer I hear the drumming,Four dead in Ohio.

Gotta get down to itSoldiers are cutting us down

Should have been done long agoWhat if you knew her

And found her dead on the groundHow can you run when you knew?”

Ohio by Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungRecorded May 15, 1970

Protest Songs

Anti-War Demonstrations

Anti-War Demonstrations

z May 4, May 4, 19701970

z 4 students 4 students shot dead.shot dead.

z 11 11 students students woundedwoundedKent State Kent State

UniversityUniversity

z May 10, 1970May 10, 1970

z 2 dead; 12 2 dead; 12 woundedwounded

Jackson Jackson State State

UniversityUniversity

Doves: those who oppose the war

Hawks: those who support the war

VIII) The Tet OffensiveVIII) The Tet Offensive

A.A. January 30, 1968 January 30, 1968 = Tet: holiday for = Tet: holiday for Lunar New Year ; Truce agreedLunar New Year ; Truce agreed

B. Tet OffensiveB. Tet Offensive: 67,000 : 67,000 Vietcong attack 100 Vietcong attack 100 villages in South villages in South Vietnam, 12 U.S. air Vietnam, 12 U.S. air bases, and U.S. bases, and U.S. embassy in Saigonembassy in Saigon

The Tet Offensive, January

1968

The Tet Offensive, January

1968

C.C. Outcome:Outcome:

1. Vietcong defeated after one month1. Vietcong defeated after one month

2. Vietcong suffer 32,000 casualties2. Vietcong suffer 32,000 casualties

“ “ The attacks proved The attacks proved to be an to be an overwhelming overwhelming defeat for the defeat for the Vietcong”Vietcong”

D. Reality & Impact:D. Reality & Impact:

1. shook the minds of the American public1. shook the minds of the American public

2. loose support for war2. loose support for war

“ “ It seems more It seems more certain than ever certain than ever that this bloody that this bloody experience of experience of Vietnam is to end Vietnam is to end in a stalemate”in a stalemate”

“ “ The war is unwinnable. We put The war is unwinnable. We put more in and they match it. I more in and they match it. I see more and more fighting see more and more fighting with more casualties on the with more casualties on the U.S. side and no ends in sight U.S. side and no ends in sight to the action.”to the action.”

“……I shall not seek, I shall not seek, and I will not and I will not accept, the accept, the nomination of my nomination of my party for another party for another term as your term as your President”.President”.

E. E. March, 1968March, 1968: Johnson announces : Johnson announces he willhe will not seek re-election as presidentnot seek re-election as president

IX.) Election of 1968

IX.) Election of 1968

A. Candidates:A. Candidates:1. 1. Eugene McCarthyEugene McCarthy: Democrat; : Democrat;

promise topromise to end war in Vietnamend war in Vietnam

2. 2. Robert KennedyRobert Kennedy: Democrat; vision for: Democrat; vision for poor, minorities, healing Americapoor, minorities, healing America

3. 3. Hubert HumphreyHubert Humphrey: Democrat; Vice President: Democrat; Vice President

4. 4. Richard NixonRichard Nixon: Republican; promise to : Republican; promise to restore law and order; peace w/honorrestore law and order; peace w/honor

5. 5. George WallaceGeorge Wallace: Independent; : Independent; “ “white backlash candidate”white backlash candidate”

B.B. Robert Kennedy assassinated Robert Kennedy assassinated in 1968 in 1968

C.C. Richard Nixon wins Richard Nixon wins electionelection

X.) Nixon & Vietnam

X.) Nixon & Vietnam

A. January 1969: Peace Negotiations A. January 1969: Peace Negotiations stallingstalling1. 1. Henry KissingerHenry Kissinger: National Security: National Security

Advisor and chief negotiatorAdvisor and chief negotiator

2. 2. VeitnamizationVeitnamization: U.S. plan : U.S. plan to end war by gradual to end war by gradual withdrawal & increase in withdrawal & increase in S.Vietnam’s roleS.Vietnam’s role

GoalGoal: “: “Peace with HonorPeace with Honor””

B. B. Summer 1969Summer 1969: Nixon announces : Nixon announces first troop withdrawalsfirst troop withdrawals

“ “ We have to get rid of We have to get rid of the nightmares we the nightmares we inherited. One of inherited. One of these nightmares is these nightmares is the war without end”.the war without end”.

C.C. Nixon orders secret Nixon orders secret bombing of supply N. bombing of supply N. Vietnam supply routes Vietnam supply routes also Laos & Cambodiaalso Laos & Cambodia1. 1. Expanding the war?Expanding the war?

D.D. April 30, 1970April 30, 1970: : U.S. troops U.S. troops invade Cambodiainvade Cambodia to to destroy Vietcong & N. destroy Vietcong & N. Vietnam supply centersVietnam supply centers1. outrage of college 1. outrage of college studentsstudents

E. E. December 31, 1970December 31, 1970: : Congress repeals Congress repeals Tonkin Gulf ResolutionTonkin Gulf Resolution

F. F. June 1971June 1971: : Pentagon Pentagon Papers Papers leakedleaked1. shows govt. had not 1. shows govt. had not beenbeen

honest about war honest about war intentionsintentions

XI.) Peace Negotiations

XI.) Peace Negotiations

A.A. Henry Kissinger (US)Henry Kissinger (US) & Le Duc Tho Le Duc Tho (N.Vietnam) argue over peace talks for 5 (N.Vietnam) argue over peace talks for 5 monthsmonths

B. B. October 1972October 1972: : Peace is at handPeace is at hand U.S. U.S. allow N.Vietnam’s troops to stay in S. allow N.Vietnam’s troops to stay in S. VietnamVietnam

1. South rejects plan1. South rejects plan

2. December 1972: massive Christmas 2. December 1972: massive Christmas Bombings by U.S.Bombings by U.S.

C. C. January 27, 1973January 27, 1973: : U.S. signs U.S. signs “Agreement on Ending the War and “Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in VietnamRestoring Peace in Vietnam””Conditions:Conditions:

1.1. U.S. to remove all troopsU.S. to remove all troops2.2. North Vietnam could leave troops North Vietnam could leave troops

already in South Vietnamalready in South Vietnam3.3. North Vietnam would resume warNorth Vietnam would resume war4.4. No provision for POWs or MIAsNo provision for POWs or MIAs

D. D. March 29, 1973March 29, 1973: Last American troops : Last American troops leave South Vietnamleave South Vietnam

E. E. March 1975March 1975: North Vietnamese forces : North Vietnamese forces invade South Vietnaminvade South Vietnam

1. U.S. sends economic aide but NO 1. U.S. sends economic aide but NO TROOPS! TROOPS!

“ “ America can regain its America can regain its sense of pride that sense of pride that existed before existed before Vietnam. But it cannot Vietnam. But it cannot be achieved by be achieved by refighting a war that refighting a war that is finished as far as is finished as far as American is American is concerned”.concerned”.

G. G. April 30, 1975April 30, 1975: America abandons its : America abandons its embassyembassy

H. H. April 1975April 1975: North Vietnamese : North Vietnamese capture Saigoncapture Saigon

Formerly Formerly SaigonSaigon

Outcome: A United Vietnam

Outcome: A United Vietnam

XII.) Legacy of the War

XII.) Legacy of the War

A. A. Vietnam War OutcomesVietnam War Outcomes::1.1. 3,000,000 Vietnamese killed3,000,000 Vietnamese killed2.2. 58,000 Americans killed; 300,000 58,000 Americans killed; 300,000

woundedwounded3.3. Under-funding of Great Society Under-funding of Great Society

programsprograms4.4. $150,000,000,000 in U.S. spending$150,000,000,000 in U.S. spending5.5. U.S. morale, self-confidence, trust U.S. morale, self-confidence, trust

of government, decimatedof government, decimated

B. Impact at Home:B. Impact at Home:1. 1. 2626thth Amendment Amendment: 18-year-olds vote: 18-year-olds vote2. Nixon abolished draft2. Nixon abolished draft all-volunteer all-volunteer armyarmy3. 3. War Powers Act of 1973 War Powers Act of 1973 President must notify Congress within President must notify Congress within

48 hours of deploying military force48 hours of deploying military force President must withdraw forces President must withdraw forces

unless he gains Congressional unless he gains Congressional approval within 90 daysapproval within 90 days

4. Disregard for Vietnam Veterans 4. Disregard for Vietnam Veterans seen as “baby killers”seen as “baby killers”

5. POW/MIA issue lingered5. POW/MIA issue lingered

2,583 American 2,583 American POWs / MIAsPOWs / MIAs

still unaccounted for still unaccounted for today.today.

If we have to fight, weIf we have to fight, we will fight. You will kill will fight. You will kill ten of our men and we ten of our men and we will kill one of yours, and in the will kill one of yours, and in the end it will be end it will be youyou who tires of who tires of it. it.

AndAndin the End….in the End….

AndAndin the End….in the End….

Ho Chi Ho Chi Minh:Minh:

The Vietnam Memorial,

Washington, D.C.

The Vietnam Memorial,

Washington, D.C.

Memorial to US Servicemen in

Vietnam

Memorial to US Servicemen in

Vietnam

Memorial to US Memorial to US Nurses in Nurses in VietnamVietnam

58,00058,00058,00058,000