Shadow of the Dragon: Historical and Cultural Connections

1. Shadow of the Dragon:Historical and Cultural Connections Take out a piece of paper and a pen or pencil. You will write down everything in red type in this PowerPoint.

2. Vietnam • Pronounced vee eht NAM • Resembles an elongated “s” • Country in Southeast Asia with its eastern coast on the South China Sea • Bordered by China to the north and Laos and Cambodia to the west

3. The Vietnam War • Vietnam was divided into North Vietnam (communist) and South Vietnam (non-communist) • North Vietnamese and South Vietnamese rebels wanted the country to be united as a communist country • Ultimately, U.S. sought to help the South Vietnamese, but efforts failed

4. Vietnam War • Vietnam War was the second phase of fighting in Vietnam; previously, France had fought to control Vietnam • U.S. sent aide to France and, later, South Vietnam as part of the Cold War policy • U.S. feared that if one Southeast Asian nation became communist, others would follow (“domino effect”) • French defeated by Vietnamese in 1954

5. Vietnam War Continued • To date, longest war that the U.S. has been involved in (1957-1975) • By April 1969, the number of U.S. forces in South Vietnam reached its peak of more than 543,000 troops • Fighting was brutal and relentless • By July of that year, U.S troops slowly started to be removed • In January 1973, there was a cease-fire; two months later most Americans left

6. Aftermath of Vietnam War • South Vietnam surrendered to North Vietnam on April 30, 1975 • It was an enormously destructive war • Much of Vietnam was left in ruins • U.S. military deaths reached about 1.3 million • The U.S. role in the war became one of the most debated issues in the nation’s history • Some believe our involvement was necessary and others call it cruel and wrong

7. Re-education Camps • What do you think a re-education camp might be? What do you imagine occurs there? • Concept of re-education camp was borrowed from the Chinese communists • Camps came to the world’s attention after North Vietnam’s take over of the South in 1975

8. Re-education Camps Continued • Camps were not thought of as prisons; separate from prison system • Considered to be institutions where rehabilitation was accomplished through education and labor • Only those who “deserved rehabilitation” were sent to camps (opposed to jail) • Their political attitudes, work production records, and general behavior was closely monitored • What do you believe “rehabilitation” consisted of?

9. Re-education Camps Continued • There were three types of camps: short-term, long-term, and permanent incarceration • Sang Le most likely would have been in the third type of camp • This third type of social-reform camp was intended for permanent incarceration or until a person was “re-educated” • This type involved indoctrination and forced labor • A person was sentenced for a period of time (3-5 years) • When time expired, they were most likely sentenced to more time

10. Vietnamese Refugees • What do you think a refugee is? • A refugee is a person who is forced to flee his/her country of origin and seek safety elsewhere • Vietnamese comprise the largest population of Southeast Asian refugees in the U.S. • With their American-born children, they number approximately 995,000

11. Vietnamese Refugees Continued • Most refugees came from South Vietnam • As conditions worsened, people left via boats; many died at sea • As these reports became known, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees was able to negotiate an agreement to allow “orderly departure” • This allowed for refugees to seek refuge with family members living abroad • People without relatives abroad still fled via boats

12. Vietnamese Refugees Continued • At the end of the war, thousands of Southern Vietnamese were in re-education camps (including some Americans) • U.S. plead for the release of these people • In 1988, many of these people were allowed to leave through the Orderly Departure Program

13. Vietnamese Refugees Continued • Largest number of Vietnamese refugees live in Southern California (mostly Los Angeles and Orange County) • Large numbers also live in Houston and Dallas, Texas, the suburbs of Washington D.C., & the states of Washington, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York, and Illinois

14. Chinese/Vietnamese Zodiac • The calendar is based on the cycles of the moon • Beginning of the year falls between late January and early February • Vietnamese adopted the same calendar as the Chinese

15. Zodiac Continued • Legend has it that the Jade Emperor organized and conducted a race • First 12 winners, in order they finished, created a lunar calendar • Calendar changes every year; each year embodies an animal

16. Zodiac Continued • People will become like the animal of the year they are born • They take on the animal’s characteristics and identify with the animal for their entire life • Animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit (Cat), Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram (Goat), Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig

17. Year of the Dragon • Danny is said to be born in the year of the Dragon. • Healthy, energetic, excitable, short-tempered, and stubborn • Honest, sensitive, brave, and inspire trust and confidence • Most eccentric & luckiest animal in Zodiac