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Chapter 22 of Ms. Garratt's work delves into the complex factors leading to US involvement in Vietnam during the tumultuous years of the Vietnam War. Key topics discussed include the geopolitical pressure on colonial powers, the “loss of China,” and the impact of the Korean War and French defeat at Dien Bien Phu. The chapter highlights the escalation of US military presence, from advisors to combat troops, under various presidential administrations, the controversial Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, and the rise of the anti-war movement amid the war's moral implications and tragic consequences.
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Vietnam War Years Ms. Garratt Chapter 22:
Origins of US Involvement • US put pressure on Allies to get rid of colonies. • However, 2 factors led US to get involved in VN • “loss of China” • Korean War • French defeat at Dien Bien Phu led to US involvement “containment policy.” • Begins with advisors, then air bombings and eventually troops by 1965. • All the while each president is promising not to send troops
The Vietminh & Vietcong • Who were we fighting? • Ho Chi Minh formed the Vietminh whose goal it was to win VN independence (Japan, then France)
Domino Theory • Eisenhower is the 1st to use the term
Diem • Corrupt • Failed to implement land reform • Strategic hamlet program • Catholic who persecuted the Buddhist majority • Assassinated with tacit American approval
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution • NVN patrol fired torpedo at USS Maddox which was off NVN coast • 2 days later US claimed they were fired upon again (although highly unlikely due to poor weather) • LBJ used alleged incident to begin bombing NVN • Asked Congress for power to “take all necessary to repel armed attack against US” • It was not dec of war but gave LBJ broad powers to wage war in VN • Congress gave LBJ the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution • LBJ prepared resolution months before
Operation Rolling Thunder 1965 • Sustained bombing of NVN • First US combat troops arrive (50,000 by June)
LBJ Admin Favors Escalation • Despite 1964 presidential campaign promise NOT “to send American boys 9 or 10,000 miles away from home to do what Asian boys ought to do for themselves.” • LBJ’s advisors urged escalation
The Elusive Enemy • Vietcong – Guerrilla warfare • Jungle Fighting • Tunnels • Allowed them to withstand bombings • Surprise attacks & ability to disappear quickly • Napalm • Agent Orange • Search & Destroy Missions • Strategic Hamlet Program
Westmoreland’s Strategy • Wear the NVN down through a war of attrition and high body count was NOT working. • Alienated South Vietnamese due to: • Napalm • Agent Orange • Search & Destroy Missions (3 million refugees) • Strategic Hamlet programs
Declining Morale • Guerilla warfare • Jungle terrain & climate • Drug use • Lack of domestic support • Corruption of SVN gov • Television war • High casualties
Credibility Gap • LBJ & Nixon misled the public • USS Maddox • Gulf of Tonkin Resolution • Tet Offensive exposed misinformation of the USG • Television War
Manipulatable Draft • 18 years old • Was war fought primarily by lower classes because could not get college deferrment • AA were disproportionately represented • Dr. King finally spoke out against the war
Roots of Opposition • New Left • Youth movement • Campus Activism • Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) • Free Speech Movement (FSM) • Anti-war movement • Teach-ins • DC march • Video clip
