Ch 17 Sec 1-The Ch 17 Sec 1-The Vietnam WarVietnam War

America’s 2nd Longest America’s 2nd Longest WarWar

American Support for American Support for FranceFrance Ho Chi MinhHo Chi Minh had begun a revolutionary had begun a revolutionary

movement against the French in the movement against the French in the 1930’s1930’s

Ho Chi Minh was a US ally during WWIIHo Chi Minh was a US ally during WWII After WWII the Japanese were forced After WWII the Japanese were forced

out out Ho Chi Minh and the Ho Chi Minh and the VietminhVietminh declared declared

Vietnam freeVietnam free In the late 1945 the French came back In the late 1945 the French came back

to reclaim their colonyto reclaim their colony The US funded $1 Billion towards the The US funded $1 Billion towards the

French war effort from 1950-1954French war effort from 1950-1954

Vietminh Drive out the Vietminh Drive out the FrenchFrench In 1953 IKE and the US viewed Ho as a In 1953 IKE and the US viewed Ho as a

communist aggressorcommunist aggressor IKE feared IKE feared The Domino TheoryThe Domino Theory and and

thought it might occur if Vietnam was thought it might occur if Vietnam was lostlost

In 1954 despite massive US aid the In 1954 despite massive US aid the French are defeated at French are defeated at Dien Bien PhuDien Bien Phu

From May through July 1954 seven From May through July 1954 seven countries meet with the Vietminh and countries meet with the Vietminh and the anti-communist South in Geneva to the anti-communist South in Geneva to agree to peaceagree to peace

The Geneva Accords divided Vietnam at The Geneva Accords divided Vietnam at the the 1717thth parallel parallel, Free Elections in 1956, Free Elections in 1956

Diem Cancels the ElectionsDiem Cancels the Elections Ho Chi Minh was popular in the North by Ho Chi Minh was popular in the North by

redistributing land to peasantsredistributing land to peasants South Vietnam’s anti-communist and South Vietnam’s anti-communist and

Catholic President Catholic President Ngo Dinh DiemNgo Dinh Diem refused refused to take part in the Geneva Accord to take part in the Geneva Accord elections of 1956elections of 1956, supported by the US, supported by the US

In 1957 the In 1957 the VietcongVietcong or Communist or Communist Guerillas began attacks in the South by Guerillas began attacks in the South by assassinating members of Diem’s assassinating members of Diem’s governmentgovernment

In 1959 the In 1959 the Ho Chi Minh TrailHo Chi Minh Trail or supply or supply line to communists in the South was line to communists in the South was openedopened

JFK and VietnamJFK and Vietnam Like IKE, JFK chose to Like IKE, JFK chose to “sink or swim” “sink or swim”

with Diemwith Diem in Vietnam in Vietnam By the end of By the end of 1963 more $ and 16,000 1963 more $ and 16,000

US military advisors were in South US military advisors were in South VietnamVietnam

Diem popularity was plummeting, his Diem popularity was plummeting, his Hamlet Program Hamlet Program was unsuccessfulwas unsuccessful

His attacks on Buddhism and the His attacks on Buddhism and the protest of Buddhist monks was protest of Buddhist monks was increasingincreasing

On Nov. 1On Nov. 1stst 1963 1963 a US supported South a US supported South Vietnam military coup was carried out Vietnam military coup was carried out and and Diem was assassinatedDiem was assassinated

Johnson’s WarJohnson’s War After Diem death the South was After Diem death the South was

unstableunstable LBJ felt US credibility is at stakeLBJ felt US credibility is at stake and he and he

does not want to give in to communist does not want to give in to communist aggressionaggression

In August 1964, a North Vietnamese gun In August 1964, a North Vietnamese gun boat fired a torpedo at boat fired a torpedo at The USS MaddoxThe USS Maddox

Two days later the Maddox and another Two days later the Maddox and another destroyer opened fire on the Northdestroyer opened fire on the North

LBJ launches limited bombing attacksLBJ launches limited bombing attacks Congress adopted the Congress adopted the Gulf of Tonkin Gulf of Tonkin

ResolutionResolution which gave LBJ broad military which gave LBJ broad military powers in Vietnampowers in Vietnam

USS MaddoxUSS Maddox

The public did not The public did not know the know the US was US was conducting secret raids conducting secret raids against the Northagainst the North

The The USS MaddoxUSS Maddox was was collecting informationcollecting information

LBJ had prepared the LBJ had prepared the resolution months resolution months before handbefore hand

In response to the In response to the PleikuPleiku attack attack Operation Operation Rolling ThunderRolling Thunder was was launchedlaunched

By June of 1965, By June of 1965, 50,000 US troops were 50,000 US troops were fighting in Vietnamfighting in Vietnam

Deeper into the QuagmireDeeper into the Quagmire In March 1965 LBJ began sending In March 1965 LBJ began sending

troopstroops Sec. of Defense Robert McNamara Sec. of Defense Robert McNamara

and Sec. of State Dean Ruskand Sec. of State Dean Rusk advised advised LBJ to deploy troopsLBJ to deploy troops

LBJ went back on his 1964 campaign LBJ went back on his 1964 campaign promise, but he looked to be promise, but he looked to be containing communismcontaining communism

In In 1965, 61% supported US policy in 1965, 61% supported US policy in NamNam

US Troop Buildup US Troop Buildup AcceleratesAccelerates By the end of 1965, 180,000 US By the end of 1965, 180,000 US

troops were sent to Vietnamtroops were sent to Vietnam General William WestmorelandGeneral William Westmoreland

continued to request more US troopscontinued to request more US troops He was not impressed with the He was not impressed with the Army Army

of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN)of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) (South Vietnam)(South Vietnam)

By 1967 there were 500,000 US By 1967 there were 500,000 US troops in Vietnamtroops in Vietnam

War of AttritionWar of Attrition Massive Massive

bombingbombing would would weaken N. weaken N. VietnamVietnam

Defeat of the Defeat of the VietcongVietcong in in battlebattle

Used the Used the “body “body count”count” to justify to justify eventual victoryeventual victory

An Elusive EnemyAn Elusive Enemy The The Vietcong used hit-and-run and Vietcong used hit-and-run and

ambush tacticsambush tactics The Vietcong was part of the civilian The Vietcong was part of the civilian

population, US troops could not tell population, US troops could not tell friend from foefriend from foe

The Vietcong had a network of The Vietcong had a network of tunnelstunnels to launch attacks and to launch attacks and disappear quicklydisappear quickly

The jungle was laced with The jungle was laced with booby booby traps and land minestraps and land mines

US troops dealt with jungle terrain, US troops dealt with jungle terrain, rice paddies, heat, leeches, and rice paddies, heat, leeches, and Mekong RotMekong Rot

AK-47AK-47

Tunnel Tunnel RatsRats

NapalNapalm m

strikestrike

““Home Home is is

where where you you dig”dig”

The nuclear The nuclear powered powered aircraft aircraft

carrier USS carrier USS Enterprise Enterprise

War of AttritionWar of Attrition US bombers pounded VC and North US bombers pounded VC and North

Vietnamese positionsVietnamese positions Despite high causalities the Despite high causalities the VC would not VC would not

surrendersurrender The North was receiving supplies from The North was receiving supplies from

China and the USSRChina and the USSR The US tried to win ‘Hearts and Minds”The US tried to win ‘Hearts and Minds” The US used The US used NapalmNapalm to set fire to the to set fire to the

junglejungle The US used the defoliant The US used the defoliant Agent Orange Agent Orange

in Operation Ranch-Handin Operation Ranch-Hand By 1967 there were 4 million refugees By 1967 there were 4 million refugees

due to US due to US Seek and Destroy missionsSeek and Destroy missions

Sinking MoraleSinking Morale Guerrilla warfare, brutal jungle, and Guerrilla warfare, brutal jungle, and

failure to make headway, and mounting failure to make headway, and mounting causalities frustrated US troopscausalities frustrated US troops

Many soldiers turned to Many soldiers turned to alcohol, alcohol, marijuanamarijuana and other drugs to escape and other drugs to escape the warthe war

South Vietnamese civil war within the South Vietnamese civil war within the civil war made the war tough to managecivil war made the war tough to manage

Many US troops fought bravely and POW Many US troops fought bravely and POW fought just to stay alive, even facing fought just to stay alive, even facing torture and the infamous torture and the infamous Hanoi HiltonHanoi Hilton

Ch 17 Sec 2 Vietnam Ch 17 Sec 2 Vietnam Dives the NationDives the Nation

Why was Why was Vietnam a working Vietnam a working class war?class war?

What were the What were the roots of roots of oppositionopposition to the war? to the war?

What was the What was the anti- war anti- war movement?movement?

Why was their Why was their growing divisiongrowing division in the US over the war?in the US over the war?

Ch 17 Sec 2 –Vietnam Divides the Ch 17 Sec 2 –Vietnam Divides the nationnation LBJ’s LBJ’s Great Society Programs Great Society Programs

suffered due to lack of fundingsuffered due to lack of funding, $6 , $6 billion was cut from the programs billion was cut from the programs (Taxes went up 10% as well to curb (Taxes went up 10% as well to curb inflation and pay for the war)inflation and pay for the war)

The The war cost $21 billionwar cost $21 billion every year every year Americans saw the horrific images Americans saw the horrific images

on on TVTV Over 16,000 American troops were Over 16,000 American troops were

killed between 1961 and 1967killed between 1961 and 1967 Many charged that a Many charged that a “creditability “creditability

gap”gap” between what the LBJ reported between what the LBJ reported and what was actually occurring and what was actually occurring ((Fulbright Hearings)Fulbright Hearings)

Roots of Opposition-”The Times They are A-Roots of Opposition-”The Times They are A-Changing”Changing”

College students became more College students became more involved in social protestinvolved in social protest

TheThe New Left New Left demanded sweeping demanded sweeping changes in American societychanges in American society

Students for A Democratic Society Students for A Democratic Society (SDS)(SDS) charged that large charged that large Corporations and large government Corporations and large government institutions had taken over the US institutions had taken over the US (They wanted democracy and (They wanted democracy and individual freedom) Anti-WARindividual freedom) Anti-WAR

In 1964 In 1964 The Free Speech MovementThe Free Speech Movement grew out of a dispute between grew out of a dispute between administrators and students at Univ. administrators and students at Univ. of CA at Berkeleyof CA at Berkeley

From Campus to Mass From Campus to Mass MobilizationMobilization Professors and students used Professors and students used teach-insteach-ins

to protest the war ( Sit-In for the to protest the war ( Sit-In for the campus)campus)

In April 1965, SDS organized a march on In April 1965, SDS organized a march on Washington of 20,000, then 30,000Washington of 20,000, then 30,000

By 1969 By 1969 SDSSDS had chapters on 400 had chapters on 400 campusescampuses

In spring of 1967 nearly 500,000 In spring of 1967 nearly 500,000 gathered in NYC’s Central Park gathered in NYC’s Central Park “Hell no “Hell no we won’t go!” “Burn Cards not People!”we won’t go!” “Burn Cards not People!”

In October 1967 100,000 anti-war In October 1967 100,000 anti-war protestors marched from the Lincoln protestors marched from the Lincoln Memorial to the Pentagon ( 1,500 Memorial to the Pentagon ( 1,500 injured, 700 arrested)injured, 700 arrested)

War Divides the NationWar Divides the Nation Hawks v DovesHawks v Doves In December 1967, In December 1967, 70% of Americans 70% of Americans

felt that the protests were “acts of felt that the protests were “acts of disloyalty”disloyalty”

Backlash to the Protestors organizedBacklash to the Protestors organized ““America Love it or Leave It!”America Love it or Leave It!” ““Support our men in Vietnam!”Support our men in Vietnam!” ““College professors, students…don’t College professors, students…don’t

love our country.”love our country.” LBJ was determined with slow LBJ was determined with slow

escalationescalation Sec. of Defense McNamara resigned Sec. of Defense McNamara resigned

in the end of 1967in the end of 1967

Songs of Protest and Songs of Protest and SupportSupport CCR- CCR- Fortunate SonFortunate Son

Bob DylanBob Dylan – –The Times they are a The Times they are a ChangingChanging

Eve of DestructionEve of Destruction

The Ballet of the Green BeretsThe Ballet of the Green Berets

The Working Class War-Teenage The Working Class War-Teenage SoldiersSoldiers

Many dogged the draft as Americans Many dogged the draft as Americans doubted the war (doubted the war (Draft included 18-Draft included 18-26 year old males) Average age 19.26 year old males) Average age 19.

Some got medical exemptionsSome got medical exemptions Some joined the National Guard or Some joined the National Guard or

Coast GuardCoast Guard Some got a college defermentSome got a college deferment The The less economically privileged less economically privileged

fought the war which included lower fought the war which included lower economic class whites and minoritieseconomic class whites and minorities

African Americans made up only 10% African Americans made up only 10% of the population but 20%-30% of of the population but 20%-30% of the combat deathsthe combat deaths

Draft lotteryDraft lottery was instituted in 1969 was instituted in 1969

Women Join the RanksWomen Join the Ranks 10,000 Us Women served in Vietnam10,000 Us Women served in Vietnam Most served as Most served as military nursesmilitary nurses

(China Beach)(China Beach) Thousand more served in the Red Thousand more served in the Red

Cross and the USO (United Services Cross and the USO (United Services Organizations)Organizations)

1968: The Pivotal Year1968: The Pivotal YearWhat was the What was the Tet Tet Offensive? How did it Offensive? How did it effect the American effect the American public?public?

What were the What were the domestic domestic disturbances of 1968disturbances of 1968??

What led up to the What led up to the 1968 1968 Presidential Election?Presidential Election?

The Tet OffensiveThe Tet Offensive On Jan 30On Jan 30thth 1968 during the Vietnamese 1968 during the Vietnamese

New Year celebration the Vietcong New Year celebration the Vietcong launched massive attacks across Vietnamlaunched massive attacks across Vietnam

The The Tet OffensiveTet Offensive lasted for one month, lasted for one month, 100 cities and towns were attacked, 12 100 cities and towns were attacked, 12 US air bases, and even the US Embassy in US air bases, and even the US Embassy in Saigon ( 40,000 Vietcong deaths)Saigon ( 40,000 Vietcong deaths)

The The Tet OffensiveTet Offensive increased the increased the creditability gap and shook the publiccreditability gap and shook the public

Tet changed millions of minds, including Tet changed millions of minds, including new new Sec. of Defense Clark CliffordSec. of Defense Clark Clifford who who thought the war was unwinnablethought the war was unwinnable

LBJ declines to run in 1968LBJ declines to run in 1968 Democrats looked for candidates to run Democrats looked for candidates to run

against LBJ in the primariesagainst LBJ in the primaries Senator Senator Eugene McCarthy opposed LBJEugene McCarthy opposed LBJ In the In the NH Primary LBJ got 48% of the NH Primary LBJ got 48% of the

vote McCarthy 42% ( Peace Candidate)vote McCarthy 42% ( Peace Candidate) RFKRFK sensing weakness entered the sensing weakness entered the

racerace On March 31, 1968 On March 31, 1968 LBJ announcedLBJ announced the the

US would seek negotiations to end the US would seek negotiations to end the war, with more involvement from war, with more involvement from South Vietnam and he South Vietnam and he would not run would not run for re-election in 1968, his VP Hubert for re-election in 1968, his VP Hubert Humphrey will.Humphrey will.

King, the War and the King, the War and the AssassinationAssassination

On April 3On April 3rdrd, 1968 DR. MLK addressed , 1968 DR. MLK addressed a crowd in Memphisa crowd in Memphis

He was there to support the city He was there to support the city striking garbage workersstriking garbage workers

He gave his famousHe gave his famous

““Promised Land” SpeechPromised Land” Speech

He was assassinated He was assassinated

one day later by Jamesone day later by James

Earl Ray on his hotelEarl Ray on his hotel

balconybalcony

Reaction to King’s DeathReaction to King’s Death RFK passionate plea RFK passionate plea

for non-violencefor non-violence in in IndianapolisIndianapolis

Over Over 100 cities 100 cities exploded in flamesexploded in flames

Baltimore, Chicago, Baltimore, Chicago, KC, and Washington KC, and Washington were the worstwere the worst

RFK was killed in RFK was killed in June 1968 by Sirhan June 1968 by Sirhan SirhanSirhan

Violence and ProtestViolence and Protest On April 4On April 4thth Dr. MLKDr. MLK was assassinated was assassinated

in Memphisin Memphis Violence ripped through more than Violence ripped through more than

100 US cities (27,000 had been jailed)100 US cities (27,000 had been jailed) On June 4On June 4thth, 1968 , 1968 RFKRFK won the won the

Democratic Primary on June 5Democratic Primary on June 5thth he was he was gunned down by gunned down by Sirhan SirhanSirhan Sirhan after after giving a speech in the hotel kitchengiving a speech in the hotel kitchen

During the first 6 months of 1968, During the first 6 months of 1968, 40,000 students took part in 200 40,000 students took part in 200 demonstrations on 100 campuses demonstrations on 100 campuses ( Columbia University)( Columbia University)

The DNC of 1968The DNC of 1968 In August at the In August at the DNC Convention in DNC Convention in

ChicagoChicago thousands of anti-war and thousands of anti-war and other protestors “Yippies” converged other protestors “Yippies” converged on the city (Youth International Party)on the city (Youth International Party)

The Democratic nomination was The Democratic nomination was between between Eugene McCarthyEugene McCarthy and LBJ’s and LBJ’s VP VP Hubert HumphreyHubert Humphrey

Mayor Richard J. DaleyMayor Richard J. Daley mobilized mobilized 12,000 Chicago Police officers “…12,000 Chicago Police officers “…there will be law and order.”there will be law and order.”

On Aug. 28On Aug. 28thth Rock and bottles met Rock and bottles met nightsticks and mace, nightsticks and mace, “The whole “The whole world is watching!”world is watching!”

The Election of 1968The Election of 1968 Richard M. Nixon (R)Richard M. Nixon (R) vowed to vowed to

restore law and order, and to end restore law and order, and to end the war in Vietnamthe war in Vietnam

Hubert H. Humphrey (D) LBJ’s VPHubert H. Humphrey (D) LBJ’s VP Richard Nixon won a close race andRichard Nixon won a close race and

inherited the Quagmire of Vietnaminherited the Quagmire of Vietnam

Ch 17 Sec 3 The Ch 17 Sec 3 The War Winds DownWar Winds Down

1969-19731969-1973

Man Walks on the Moon!Man Walks on the Moon!

Nixon’s VietnamizationNixon’s Vietnamization Sec. of State Henry KissingerSec. of State Henry Kissinger opted for opted for

VietnamizationVietnamization which was a reduction in which was a reduction in US troops by turning active combat US troops by turning active combat operations over to the South operations over to the South VietnameseVietnamese while negations continued while negations continued

By August 1969 25,000 troops came By August 1969 25,000 troops came homehome

Between 1969 and 1972 the # of US Between 1969 and 1972 the # of US troops dropped from over troops dropped from over 543,000 to 543,000 to less than 25,000less than 25,000

Nixon spoke of “peace with honor” Nixon spoke of “peace with honor” while the US continued bombing while the US continued bombing campaigns into Laos and Cambodia to campaigns into Laos and Cambodia to cut supply cut supply lineslines

Trouble on the Trouble on the BattlefrontBattlefront Nixon appealed to the “silent Nixon appealed to the “silent

majority”majority” In Nov. 1969 Americans learned of In Nov. 1969 Americans learned of

the the My Lai MassacreMy Lai Massacre ( 100 innocent ( 100 innocent Vietnamese civilians mostly old men Vietnamese civilians mostly old men women and children were gunned women and children were gunned down by a US Platoon)down by a US Platoon)

Out of 25 officers only Lt. William Out of 25 officers only Lt. William Caley Jr. was convicted and Caley Jr. was convicted and imprisonedimprisoned

10 year sentence10 year sentence

(House arrest 3yrs.)(House arrest 3yrs.)

The Invasion of The Invasion of Cambodia and Kent Cambodia and Kent

StateState In April In April 1970 Nixon announced the1970 Nixon announced the US US invaded Cambodia to clear out VC and invaded Cambodia to clear out VC and North Vietnam supply centersNorth Vietnam supply centers

Colleges burst out in protests, 1.5 million Colleges burst out in protests, 1.5 million students closed more than 1,200 campusesstudents closed more than 1,200 campuses

On May 4On May 4thth, 1970 at , 1970 at Kent State after the Kent State after the ROTC building was burned down and rocks ROTC building was burned down and rocks were thrown at the National Guard, they were thrown at the National Guard, they opened fire on protestorsopened fire on protestors

4 were killed nine wounded at Kent State4 were killed nine wounded at Kent State At Jackson State 2 were killed, 12 woundedAt Jackson State 2 were killed, 12 wounded

End of the WarEnd of the War In March of 1972 the North Vietnamese In March of 1972 the North Vietnamese

launched their largest attack since Tetlaunched their largest attack since Tet Pres. Pres. Nixon ordered a massive Nixon ordered a massive

bombingbombing campaign on Hanoi and other campaign on Hanoi and other cities, and mined Haiphong Harborcities, and mined Haiphong Harbor

National Security Advisor Henry National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger had been secret negotiating Kissinger had been secret negotiating with Le Duc Tho of North Vietnam with Le Duc Tho of North Vietnam

On Oct. 26On Oct. 26thth, 1972 just days before the , 1972 just days before the electionelectionKissinger announced “Peace is at Kissinger announced “Peace is at Hand!”Hand!”

Talks stalled due to Talks stalled due to South Vietnamese South Vietnamese rejection of the rejection of the Kissinger PlanKissinger Plan

Nixon unleashed Nixon unleashed the “the “Christmas Christmas Bombings” of Bombings” of Hanoi and Hanoi and Haiphong, 100,000 Haiphong, 100,000 bombs over 11 bombs over 11 daysdays

Jan 27, 1973 an Jan 27, 1973 an agreement was agreement was reachedreached

On March 29, 1973 On March 29, 1973 the last US troops the last US troops left for homeleft for home

The Fall of SaigonThe Fall of Saigon With-in months of the US departure With-in months of the US departure

the cease fire-was brokenthe cease fire-was broken In March 1975 North Vietnamese In March 1975 North Vietnamese

launched a full scale invasionlaunched a full scale invasion The US sent $ to South Vietnam but The US sent $ to South Vietnam but

no troopsno troops Pres. FordPres. Ford did not want another did not want another

nightmarenightmare On April 30On April 30thth, 1975 North Vietnamese , 1975 North Vietnamese

tanks rolled into tanks rolled into Saigon and the Saigon and the South fell, it was renamed Ho Chi South fell, it was renamed Ho Chi Minh CityMinh City

Painful Legacy of Painful Legacy of VietnamVietnam

There were no victory parades for Vietnam There were no victory parades for Vietnam VetsVets

Many faced bitterness and hostilityMany faced bitterness and hostility 15% or 3.3 million soldiers developed post 15% or 3.3 million soldiers developed post

traumatic stress disordertraumatic stress disorder 58,000 US troops were killed58,000 US troops were killed 1 Million Vietnamese were killed, and 1 Million Vietnamese were killed, and

chemicals like agent orange have polluted chemicals like agent orange have polluted the environment and caused birth defects the environment and caused birth defects and cancer, 400,000 re-educated by the and cancer, 400,000 re-educated by the communistscommunists

The Communists forced 1.5 million people The Communists forced 1.5 million people out of Vietnam , 50,000 boat people out of Vietnam , 50,000 boat people perishedperished

Cambodia’s civil war in which Cambodia’s civil war in which Khmer Rouge Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot killed 1 million Cambodiansled by Pol Pot killed 1 million Cambodians

Lasting Legacies of Lasting Legacies of VietnamVietnam The US abolished the draftThe US abolished the draft

In Nov. 1973 Congress passed In Nov. 1973 Congress passed The The War Powers ActWar Powers Act in which the in which the President must inform Congress President must inform Congress within 48 hrs. of sending forceswithin 48 hrs. of sending forces

Troops cannot remain longer Troops cannot remain longer than 90 days without than 90 days without authorization from Congress authorization from Congress

In 1982 the Vietnam Veterans In 1982 the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was unveiled in Memorial was unveiled in Washington DCWashington DC