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Chapters 31-35. The Vietnam War Era (1954—1975). Origins of the Vietnam War. America and the War in Indochina Main Idea: Hoping to stop the spread of communism, the United States provided aid to France during its battle against communists in Vietnam. America Opposes Communism in Vietnam
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Chapters 31-35 The Vietnam War Era (1954—1975)
Origins of the Vietnam War America and the War in Indochina Main Idea:Hoping to stop the spread of communism, the United States provided aid to France during its battle against communists in Vietnam. America Opposes Communism in Vietnam Main Idea:After Vietnam was divided the United States provided support to South Vietnam. Kennedy’s election increased the aggressiveness of this aid.
Sec 1: Origins of the Vietnam War Origins of the Vietnam War Johnson Leads the Nation Into War Main Idea:After an American destroyer was fired upon by the North Vietnamese, President Johnson received Congressional approval to send U.S. troops to Vietnam without an actual declaration of war.
Reading Skill: Summarize NOTE TAKING
Vietnam & French Indochina, 1954 • China subjugated Vietnam for nearly 1,000 years until the French colonized the region in 1884. • The area was seized by Japanese in WW II, but the French returned after war.
Vietnam & French Indochina, 1954 • Ho Chi Minh— Born in 1890, he became the voice of opposition to French rule and appealed to the United States for help against French rule. • He visited Paris, London, and Moscow for nearly 30 years before returning to Vietnam in 1942. • He embraces communism, and eventually the Soviet Union rallied to his cause. Ho Chi Minh
Vietnam & French Indochina, 1954 • Vietminh— The communist organization under the control of Ho Chi Minh; also known as the League for the Independence of Vietnam. • Domino Theory— The idea that if Vietnam fell to communism, then its closest neighbors would also fall to communism.
Vietnam & French Indochina, 1954 • In the effort to “contain” communism, the United States (under president Harry Truman) contributed $2.6 billion to help France defeat Ho Chi Minh. • French were defeated at the battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954, and were forced to pull out of Vietnam and the entire region.
Vietnam & French Indochina, 1954 • Geneva Accords of 1954— France gave independence to Vietnam and the nation was split into a communist North Vietnam and a democratic South Vietnam at the 17th Parallel. • Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO)— Was organized by the United States and seven other nations to contain the spread of communism in the region.
1. Why did the United States become involved in Vietnam? In 1954, the United States became involved in Vietnam to stop the spread of communism. “The Vietnam War Years”(p. 6)
Ngo Dinh Diem United States Involvement • Ngo Dinh Diem— Nationalist and anti-communist leader of South Vietnam (1956—1963). • Diem was a devout Catholic in a Buddhist nation and lost popularity by the early 1960s. • On November 1, 1963, Diem was removed from power and assassinated the next day.
United States Involvement • Vietcong (VC)—Communist rebel group in South Vietnam known as the National Liberation Front (NLF) which led rebel raids on the government of South Vietnam. • Protests by Monks and various groups led to the unpopularity to the South Vietnamese government.
Clash of Forces U.S.S. Maddox—United States destroyer which was attacked (August 2, 1964) by North Vietnamese torpedo boat and returned fire. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution—Law passed by Congress which authorized the President “to take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States.”
United States Leadership William Westmoreland—The United States commander in Vietnam. Robert McNamara— Secretary of Defense under JFK and Lyndon Johnson who pushed for an aggressive policy in Vietnam.
The Brutality of the War • Napalm—A jellied gasoline which were dropped in large canisters that exploded on impact, covering large areas with flames. • Agent Orange— Herbicide used to kill plant life in an effort to destroy food supply, and was later found to be cancer-causing.
U.S. Involvement Grows “Americanizing” the War Main Idea:The U.S. increased the number of troops in Vietnam and used intense bombing, but the North Vietnamese continued to fight using tactics the Americans were not used to, creating a long and costly war. Patriotism, Heroism, and Sinking Morale Main Idea:The North Vietnamese often forced smaller jungle battles at night to increase their odds of winning, eventually causing the American troops’ strong morale to weaken.
Sec 2: U.S. Involvement Grows U.S. Involvement Grows Doubt Grows on the Home Front Main Idea:Slow progress in Vietnam led to doubt in the United States, strains on the economy, and an antiwar movement.
Weapons • The primary mode of transporting troops quickly during the war was the helicopter. • Helicoptersserved as the “cavalry” allowing the movement of troops quickly in tactical conditions.
Tactics in the War • The United States relied heavily on the “air war” and dropped nearly 6 million tons of bombs in the conflict. • TheViet Congused guerrilla tactics and the Ho Chi Minh Trail to move supplies.
Battlefield Conditions Many South Vietnamese were indifferent to the war. Jungle fighting in elephant grass and rice paddies. Leeches, fever, jungle rot, malaria, etc. all took its toll on both sides. The Vietcong used tunnels and “punji” stakes as tactical weapons. Many civilian deaths were caused by the military on both sides.
Doubt Grows on the Home Front • The Vietnam War weakened the economy and put a strain on LBJ’s “Great Society” as both programs were expensive. • Rising prices and inflation grew by the end of the 1960s. • Antiwar movement emerged (especially on college campuses). • “Hawks”— Supported Johnson’s war policy. • “Doves”— Opposed his policy. • Senator J. William Fulbright believed that it was a civil war and not a Cold War conflict.
Sec 3: The War Divides America The War Divides America Antiwar Protests Increase Main Idea:The use of the draft increased the opposition to the war, first on college campuses, but soon in other areas of the country as well. Tet Offensive Is the Turning Point Main Idea:The communist forces’ surprise attack called the Tet Offensive lessened the confidence of American leaders, despite the fact that the U.S troops had prevented the communist forces from achieving their goals.
Sec 3: The War Divides America The War Divides America Violence Rocks 1968 Presidential Race Main Idea:1968 was marked by the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr. and presidential candidate Robert Kennedy, violent protests at the Democratic Convention in Chicago, and Richard Nixon’s election as President.
Antiwar Protests Increase • Draftee— A male who was drafted into military service. • The draft became unpopular as deferments (the ability of college students and men in certain occupations to avoid the draft) increased in the later 1960s. • Student activism against the war spread on college campuses. • Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) was founded in 1960 at the University of Michigan and clash with authorities. • A “credibility gap” by many Americans began as many began to distrust the Johnson administration.
Reading Skill: Recognize Sequence NOTE TAKING
3. How did the United States war effort in Vietnam lead to rising protests and social divisions back home? Protest and social division were caused by the following: Little progress in the war was being made. Many casualties. Most soldiers were from poor, working-class, or Black backgrounds. Government use of positive statements about the war when news reports showed opposite view. “The Vietnam War Years”(p. 6)
Tet Offensive • Tet Offensive— Attack by North Vietnamese Army on positions all over South Vietnam (January, 1968). • American and South Vietnamese forces repelled the offensive, but it showed that the war would not be easily won. • A majority of Americans turned against the war following the attack. • Johnson decided to not seek reelection in 1968 due to the war’s unpopularity and attacks on his presidency.
Presidential Election of 1968 • Robert Kennedy (brother of JFK) was running and won the California primary for he Democratic Party, but was assassinated in a Los Angeles hotel on June 5, 1968. • Hubert Humphrey became the Democratic Party nominee. • Protesters disrupt the Chicago Democratic Convention (Chicago used police to beat activists).
Presidential Election of 1968 • Richard Nixon was nominated by the Republican Party. • Southern conservatives supported George Wallace and the American Independent Party. • Nixon won the election, promising “peace with honor” in Vietnam.
37th President 1969—1974 Party:Republican Home State: California Vice Presidents: Spiro T. Agnew Gerald Ford Richard M. Nixon
PM TRANSPARENCY Progress Monitoring Transparency
Rising U.S. Involvement in Vietnam TRANSPARENCY
Rising U.S. Involvement in Vietnam TRANSPARENCY
Sec 4: The War’s End and Impact The War’s End and Impact Nixon Starts the Pullout Main Idea:Formal peace talks between North and South Vietnam stalled, but Nixon started a gradual pullout of American troops from Vietnam. Troubles on the Home Front Intensify Main Idea:News of further violence in Vietnam increased the protests in the United States, and the anti war movement led to counter protests in support of Nixon.
Sec 4: The War’s End and Impact The War’s End and Impact The War Finally Ends Main Idea:In 1972, a peace settlement was finally agreed to and the last American troops came home from Vietnam, but fighting within the country continued. The Vietnam War Has a Lasting Impact Main Idea:The years of fighting had an impact on theVietnam region itself, veterans, domestic and foreign policy, and the public’s trust in the United States government.
Reading Skill: Compare and Contrast NOTE TAKING
Nixon Starts the Pullout • Neither the United States, North Vietnam, nor South Vietnam would compromise of any peace negotiations. • Vietnamization – United States forces withdraw as South Vietnam troops assumed more combat duties. • Nixon called for an increase in the bombing of the “Ho Chi Minh Trail” in Cambodia initiating an attack by United States forces.
Kent State • Kent State University— On May 4, 1970, an attack on student demonstrators by Ohio National Guard troops killing four students. • Jackson State University— Two students were killed by police in a similar protest in Mississippi.
My Lai Massacre My Lai— A village in Vietnam which was attacked by United States forces under Lt. William Calley, Jr. on March 16, 1968. The event sparked anti-war protests as pictures of the incident were published in Life magazine in 1971. Calley was later found guilty and convicted. Lt. William Calley, Jr.
Pentagon Papers • Pentagon Papers— A 1971 publication which was classified and implicated that the United States government had a history involvement in Vietnam despite denying allegations. • The papers also revealed that the government did not fully inform the American people and occasionally lied to Congress.
American Troops Leave Vietnam • The United States and North Vietnam came to terms (October 1972). • 1973 Paris Peace Accords were signed by the United States and North Vietnam (South Vietnam refused to sign the document). • 550 United States POWs returned home (including John McCain). • In 1975, Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese.
