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Dive into the timeline of the Vietnam War, from the first U.S. troops sent to advise South Vietnam to the Tet Offensive in 1968. Explore key events like Gulf of Tonkin, Rolling Thunder, and the Vietcong's guerrilla tactics.
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Vietnam Notes Part II U.S. Involvement
1961 the first arrival of special forcestroops to advise S. Vietnam army
Diem • Loses popularity; there is a coup. He is overthrown, assassinated with US knowledge.
Gulf of Tonkin • 1964 • LBJ • USS Maddox • USS Turner Joy
What happened? • Clash between naval forces of the US and N Vietnam. • 1st attack appears to be legitimate, 2nd attack is questionable.
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution: • LBJ can use “all means necessary to protect American forces and to provide for the defense of the nation’s allies in SE Asia” • “Blank Check” – what does that mean? • YouTube - DEAR AMERICA - Letters Home From Vietnam 1/10
Air Raids and Rolling Thunder • 1965 US begins air raids on N Vietnam • Operation Rolling Thunder • Campaign of INTENSE bombing in the hope of trying to get the enemy to surrender • It didn’t work. N. Vietnam did not surrender.
Continued US Build Up • 1966 – 190,000 troops in S. Vietnam • N. Vietnam receiving aid from China and the Soviet Union • 1969 there were approximately 500,000 US troops in Vietnam.
Vietcong • National Liberation Front • Also known as “Charlie” • Or referred to as the “VC”
Guerrilla Warfare • Not your traditional warfare • Used booby-traps • Ambushes • Mines • They were well known for attacking and disappearing back into the jungle (tiger and elephant)
Guerrilla Warfare Continued • The VC were very difficult to tell from the enemy. It really messed with the US soldiers’ heads YouTube - US Army Massacred by Viet Cong
Tet Offensive cont…. • 1968 • Military campaign during the Vietnam War initiated by the VC • Intent was to attack military and civilian control centers throughout S. Vietnam • Surprise attacks (supposed to be observing a truce)
VC wanted to start an uprising among the population that would topple Saigon (S. Vietnam Capitol) and the government. • This would have ended the war • VC suffered a military defeat (US lost 5000 troops)
Tet Offensive is a turning point in the war. • It was a huge blow to the US • Showed the VC were still strong • Helped the anti war effort at home. • YouTube - Tet Offensive & Khe sahn vietnam war footage