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The Vietnam War

Section 3 of the Vietnam War explores how the conflict divided the nation through the "credibility gap" created by contrasting reports from General Westmoreland and the media. As American involvement escalated, college protests and the draft sparked widespread anger, particularly among low-income and minority communities. The pivotal Tet Offensive in 1968 exposed vulnerabilities in U.S. strategy, while the assassination of civil rights leaders further destabilized the country. This period ultimately led to significant political changes, influencing the 1968 presidential election and shaping America's future.

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The Vietnam War

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  1. The Vietnam War Section 3 Vietnam Divides the Nation

  2. Growing Credibility Gap • Gen William Westmoreland – Commander in S. Vietnam for years declared the enemy was on the brink of defeat. • Media contridicted those reports. • 1st “television war” • These reports caused the credibility gap.

  3. Gen. Westmoreland

  4. Teach-Ins • Teach-In – U of Michigan teachers and students formally discussed issues of the war instead of regular material. • May 1965, 122 colleges held, “National Teach-In” by radio.

  5. Anger At the Draft • Beginning of war, college students could defer service until after graduation. • This meant, low income and minorities were more likely to be drafted. • This got Dr. MLK involved and as war went on America increased the draft putting everyone at risk. • Estimated 500,000 refused to serve.

  6. Anger At the Draft • 3,300 were prosecuted for refusing to serve. • America went to a lottery system instead. • 1971, 26th Amendment, lowered the age to vote in all elections to 18.

  7. Hawks vs. Doves • Doves – wanted the U.S. to withdraw from the war • Hawks – insisted the U.S. stay and fight

  8. 1968 – The Pivotal Year • January 30, during Tet, Vietnamese New Year, The Vietcong launched a massive surprise attack known as the Tet Offensive. • Attacked all American airbases and most major cities, and the American embassy in Saigon.

  9. Tet Offensive

  10. 1968 • Militarily, the Tet Offensive was a disaster for the Vietcong. • Politically, it was a nightmare for the U.S. that someone, “close to defeat”, could mount such a huge attack. • Media claimed the war would end in a stalemate.

  11. Walter Cronkite

  12. 1968 Presidential Election • Johnson is defeated in the New Hampshire primary by Eugene McCarthy and decides to leave the race. • Sen. Robert Kennedy enters the race after Johnson leaves.

  13. Season of Violence • April, 1968, James Earl Ray, kills MLK, Jr. • June, 1968, SirhanSirhan, an Arab nationalist assassinates Robert Kennedy. • Riots break out at the Dem. National Convention.

  14. MLK, Jr. Assassinated James Earl Ray Lorraine Motel, Memphis, TN

  15. Robert Kennedy Assassinated SirhanSirhan Robert Kennedy

  16. 1968 Election • Richard Nixon wins by a very slim margin. • He promises to have a plan to end the war. • His chief goal was to, “Bring Us Together”.

  17. Richard Nixon

  18. End of Section 3 Next: Section 4 The War Winds Down

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