The Vietnam War American involvement in Vietnam began early in the CW.

1. The Vietnam War • American involvement in Vietnam began early in the CW. • Based on policy of containment • Gen. Eisenhower—”Domino Theory”

2. If one country in SE Asia falls to Communism so will the rest. Background of the War • Vietnam had a history of nationalism that dated back 2,000 years. • Most of that time defending themselves from China.

3. 1800’s French establish themselves a colonial power in Vietnam. • Ho Chi Minh—Communist who fought for independence before, during, and after WWII.

4. He was head of League for Independence of Vietnam—commonly called Vietminh. • Aroused peoples feelings against French control. • French oppose the Vietminh w/ the Republic of Vietnam—headed by emp. Boa Dai

5. May 1954 Vietminh defeat French after long siege at the fortress Dien Bien Phu.

6. A Divided Vietnam • After the French defeat reps from Minh, Dai, and surrounding countries meet. • Geneva Accords—Vietnam was split into two separate nations in July 1954.

7. Ho Chi Minh becomes president of Communist N. Vietnam. • Former Vietnamese official Ngo Dinh Diem become pres of S. Vietnam—US installed. • N. Vietnam—Hanoi(capital) S. Vietnam– Saigon(capital)

8. Geneva Accords called for an election in 1956 to unify the country. • South refused—claiming Communists would not hold fair elections—remained divided.

9. United States Involvement • As early as 1950– US was aiding French troops in Nam to gain support for policy of containment. • After French defeat US began to support S. Vietnam.

10. Eisenhower pledged his support to Ngo Diem. • By 1960—700 military advisers were in S. Vietnam to assist in the struggle against Communist North.

11. Kennedy on Vietnam • Kennedy allowed only increased in advisers. • By end of 1963-16,000 • Kennedy realized that Diem did not have support of his own people.

12. Most US money for aid went into hand of corrupt officials. E. November of 1963 w/ US encouragement military staged a coup—seized control of Gov and assassinated Diem.

13. Johnson on Vietnam • Kennedy is killed 3 weeks after Diem. • Johnson believed strongly for containment.

14. Communist Advances • National Liberation Front (NLF)/ Viet Cong (VC) gain popularity and territory

15. B. Ho Chi Minh and the North aided the Viet Cong throughout the struggle. C. Soon after Johnson assumed office he met w/ US ambassador in Vietnam—he said “I will not lose Vietnam.”

16. Gulf of Tonkin Incident • August 4, 1964—2 American destroyers are attacked by North Vietnam. • USS Maddox and USS Turner Joy were fired upon.

17. Details of the attack remain sketchy—some doubt if they ever took place. • Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution—which Johnson said “covered everything”

18. President now had complete control over what happened in Nam—w/out a formal Declaration of War.

19. Fighting the War • 3million Americans served in Nam. • Found themselves far from home and fighting in difficult conditions.

20. Battlefield Conditions • Encountered frustrations of guerilla warfare. • Viet Cong and N. Viet was familiar w/ terrain and had allies. • US never could tell who was their friend and who was their enemy.

21. The Course of the War, 1965-1968 • In 1964 LBJ began gradual escalation in Vietnam. • VC was steadily exp due to the Ho Chi Minh trail. • 1965—troops went from 25,000-184,000.

22. 1965—LBJ authorizes Operation Rolling Thunder—constant bombing of N. Vietnam that continued for 3 years. • Nothing seemed to stop the VC-when they exp losses NV would send more troops.

23. One Soldier’s Story • Many soldiers went into war enthusiastic about what they were doing for the US. • Ex. Ron Kovic of Long Island—feared communist were infiltrating our country.

24. Proudly served in one tour and signed up for a second. • 2nd tour takes toll on his body and mind. • Accidentally shoots US corporal and Vietnamese woman and child.

25. Kovic was hit in the spine by sniper—paralyzed from the chest down. • Became an anti-war demonstrator • Later wrote about his experiences in “Born on the 4th of July”.

26. Hawks and Doves • As war unfolded came under constant criticism from people at home. • Hawks—supporters of war Doves—against the war. C. Senators from both sides let their opinions be heard.

27. Massacre at My Lai • Extreme stress and surrounded by brutality—atrocities occurred. • Brutality came into focus in a small village of South Vietnam called My Lai.

28. Responding to info that the village contained 250 VC, a US infantry comp moved in, March 1968. • Rather than soldiers the men found women, children and elderly.

29. Lt. William Calley Jr was in charge—first he ordered to round everyone up—then he ordered that they by killed. • More than 400 civilians died that day at My Lai

30. There may have been more casualties if it were not for Hugh Thompson. • Helicopter commander who stopped the massacre.

31. Consequences of My Lai • Such breaches in military command did not go unpunished. • Originally his testimony was covered up-but Lt. Calley began serving a life sent in 1971.

32. Many Americans saw Calley as a scapegoat for higher ranking officers. • Pres. Nixon reduced his sentence to 20 years—he was released in 3 on good behavior.

33. E. Heroics of the chopper crew did not go unnoticed—1998 rewarded with the Soldiers Medal– highest award for bravery unrelated to fighting an enemy.

34. Why? • Adverse conditions faced by American soldiers in Nam—typically the VC. • Number of men in chain of command in US military. • # of men in Vietnam—watered down men in ranking positions

35. Divisions in the US • Two opposing viewpoints w/in the country. • Some believed the war was morally wrong and US withdraw immediately.

36. Student Activism • Early 60’s baby boom generation graduate high school • Years of prosperity gave them ability to go to college. • Not going directly to work led to a widening of the generation gap.

37. Organizations • Students for a Democratic Society: played large part in forming the New Left. • The Free Speech Movement: U.CA at Berk students are stopped from distributing Civil Rights leaflets.

38. Student activism spread to other campuses. Challenging anything that curbed their freedom • The Teach-in Movement: Students were the first to protest Vietnam. Opposing American imperialism.

39. Professors at U. of Michigan taught special night issues concerning the war. Thousands arrive to watch. Other colleges soon followed.

40. Draft Resistance Movement: W/ Vietnam escalating more and more men were being drafted. College students—deferment. Many questioned fairness—resistance of the draft grew By end of war estimated 100,000 draft resisters fled to Canada.

41. Johnson Decides Not to Run • Despite advice Johnson kept escalating Vietnam War. • He was scared of defeat. • B/C of Tet Offensive-- Polls revealed majority of Americans opposed the war

42. Democratic anti-war candidates were gaining momentum. • March 31, 1968 LBJ announced he would not seek another term as president.

43. The Nation Chooses Nixon • Democrats experienced many problems in the race. • Most Democrats did not even vote in the election of 68.

44. The End of the War • Nixon claimed that he had a secret plan to win the war in Vietnam—won him election. • Policy of Vietnamization—removing American troops and replacing w/ SV troops.

45. Nixon wanted anti-war sentiment to favor him— • But he refused to lose the war—kept launching secret bombing raids.

46. The War Spreads to Cambodia • 1970 Nixon moves ground forces into Cambodia • Goal was to destroy communist activity in country. • Hoped to strengthen peace talks • Led to more protest at home.

47. Nixon Calls for Law and Order • One of Nixon’s campaign pledges was to restore law and order in country. • Some anti-war protests were beginning to grow violent. • Violence turned some away from anti-war movement.

48. The Silent Majority • Nixon realized that student radicals, a-w protesters, and counterculture did not appeal to all Americans. • These were the people that received all of the attention—b/c of their actions.

49. Leading to many people announcing “Love it or Leave it.” and “My country Wrong or right.’ • Nixon referred to this group as the silent majority. • In a speech he declared the vocal minority must be stopped.

50. American Withdrawal • Paris Peace talks went no where. • Led to Nixon increasing the bombing in North Vietnam. • In an election year Nixon needed this to end.