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The U.S. in Vietnam

The U.S. in Vietnam. Part I. Basic Vietnam Lexicon. ARVN – Army of the Republic of Vietnam DRV – Democratic Republic of Vietnam GVN – Government of Vietnam NVA – North Vietnamese Army MACV – Military Assistance Command Vietnam VC – Viet Cong. Vietnamese Communist leaders. Ho Chi Minh

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The U.S. in Vietnam

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  1. The U.S. in Vietnam Part I

  2. Basic Vietnam Lexicon • ARVN – Army of the Republic of Vietnam • DRV – Democratic Republic of Vietnam • GVN – Government of Vietnam • NVA – North Vietnamese Army • MACV – Military Assistance Command Vietnam • VC – Viet Cong

  3. Vietnamese Communist leaders • Ho Chi Minh • Vo Nguyen Giap

  4. South Vietnam Leaders (early 1960’s) • Madame Nhu • Ngo Dinh Diem • Ngo Dinh Nhu

  5. 1954: Geneva Peace Accords • Vietnam divided at 17th parallel • To be reunified via national elections in 1956.

  6. Anti-Communist Developments • Eisenhower Administration • forms SEATO • extends economic and military aid to South Vietnam • Diem government • consolidates power • pursues drive to exterminate Communists in South Vietnam

  7. Communist Developments • Southern Communists, now called the Viet Cong (VC), respond with political and terror campaign. • By 1960, North Vietnam decides to support the VC insurgency. • southern Viet Minh veterans return • National Liberation Front • Strife erupts in Laos.

  8. JFK expands U.S. commitment to Vietnam • U.S. military advisors in Vietnam: • 1960: 800-900 • 1961: 3,000 • 1962: 8,000 • 1963: 16,000

  9. Coping with the insurgency • ARVN operations against guerilla units • Counterinsurgency programs • “Strategic hamlet” program • Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) – involved Army Special Forces and montagnard tribesmen of the central highlands

  10. The problem with allies: Diem’s Government of Vietnam • Authoritarian, corrupt. • Unpopular, unconcerned with political reform or assistance for peasantry. • Effort against VC poor, ineffective.

  11. Internal protest movement forms against Diem, summer 1963 • Led by Buddhist monks • Some performed self-immolation to protest the Diem government’s practices. • Such acts ridiculed by Madam Nhu.

  12. Diem overthrown • November 2, 1963: ARVN generals launch a coup. • Diem and Nhu assassinated.

  13. JFK assassinated just weeks later • Shot in Dallas, November 22, 1963.

  14. Repercussions of Diem’s fall • Political instability in South Vietnam until 1965. • Diem supporters purged from government. • Adversely affects GVN operations against VC. • Communists greatly expand efforts to succeed in South Vietnam.

  15. DRV in 1964 • Increases amount of men and supplies sent along the Ho Chi Minh trail. • Commits two divisions of the NVA to South Vietnam.

  16. Lyndon Baines Johnson • President: 1963-1969 • Primarily concerned with domestic issues • civil rights • social and economic programs • Does not want to “lose” Vietnam

  17. What to do? • More assistance (money, advisors, equipment) seemed unlikely to save South Vietnam. • Planners divided, but more direct U.S. participation in war seemed necessary. • Possible bombing of DRV studied. • Concept: “graduated” pressure. • Political consensus for more involvement?

  18. Naval Incident off the DRV coast • August 2, 1964: DRV gunboats attack the U.S.S. Maddox. • August 4: The Maddox and another destroyer appear to come under another night attack.

  19. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution • Passed by Congress August 7, 1964. • Authorized the President “to take all necessary steps, including the use of armed force, to assist any member or protocol state of the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty requesting assistance in defense of its freedom.”

  20. November 1964 • LBJ defeats Barry Goldwater, wins the presidency in his own right. • Now, his primary policy objective will be instituting the “Great Society.” • Has to address South Vietnam. • Issue: credibility.

  21. Rolling Thunder • Bombing campaign of North Vietnam: March 2, 1965 – Oct. 31, 1968 • Restricted targets, rules of engagement. • Frequent halts in campaign • White House controlled target list.

  22. U.S. combat troops arrive • 3,500 Marines arrive in April, 1965. • Ostensible purpose to protect U.S. air bases. • LBJ had already approved an offensive role for U.S. infantry in Vietnam.

  23. Conundrums: LBJ • Does not want a “full blown” war, prefers to focus on domestic programs. • Does not want to appear “soft” on Communism, or undermine American credibility. • Answer: gradual escalation.

  24. Problems with gradual escalation • Designed to stave off defeat of GVN – but not obtain victory over Communists. • Did not account for motivations of Communist foes. • Policy objectives never made clear to Congress or the public.

  25. The Role of the JCS • Did not approve of administration’s gradual escalation. • McNamara muted such criticism, got JCS to accept administration’s approach. • hoped administration would eventually allow more strident application of force.

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