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The Vietnam War . May 13, 2014 Note Packet K. Unrest in Asia Timeline. Sept. 1945 Ho Chi Minh (Communists) proclaims Democratic Republican of Vietnam . Unrest in Asia Timeline. 1946 - 1949 “Puppet leader” ineffective against Ho Chi Minh Oct. 1949
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The Vietnam War May 13, 2014 Note Packet K
Unrest in Asia Timeline • Sept. 1945 • Ho Chi Minh (Communists) proclaims Democratic Republican of Vietnam
Unrest in Asia Timeline • 1946 - 1949 • “Puppet leader” ineffective against Ho Chi Minh • Oct. 1949 • Mao Zedong recognizes the gov’t under Ho Chi Minh
Unrest in Asia Timeline • 1950-1953 • US provides aid to French’s struggle in Vietnam • 1953 – 1954 • Eisenhower debates on how much aid, support to French
Unrest in Asia Timeline • 1954 • Geneva Accords divide Vietnam @ 17th parallel • SEATO agrees to protect Vietnam • N & S Vietnam agree to hold elections, reunite the country
Unrest in Asia Timeline • 1955 • Aid increased to Vietnam • 1956 • S Vietnam refuses to hold elections • 1960 • Vietcong (communist guerrillas) recognized as the National Liberation Front (NLF) of Vietnam
Reasons for War • Prevent the spread of communism • Stop the rise of aggressor gov’ts • Protect the nation’s position as a superpower • Defend democracy
Kennedy’s Policy Towards Vietnam • Supported the Diem regime in beginning • Increased American military advisors to Vietnam • US didn’t object South Vietnam’s coup against Diem • Intended to withdraw US from Vietnam
Johnson’s Policy Towards Vietnam • Viet Cong & National Liberation Front • Henry Cabot Lodge – US ambassador to Vietnam • Gulf of Tonkin Resolution • US destroyers attacked by N Vietnam • President can take all necessary measuresto repel any attack against US forces • Justified expansion of war • By 1965 President had control, no official declaration of war • http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/gulf-of-tonkin-resolution/videos/lbj-gulf-of-tonkin-incident
Fighting the War • Guerrilla Warfare • Enemy did not wear uniforms • Fought in the jungles of Southeast Asia • No clear battlefield • Land mines • http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/gulf-of-tonkin-resolution/videos/vietnam-war-tactics?m=528e394da93ae&s=undefined&f=1&free=false
The Air War • Introduction of B-52s • Saturation bombing • Fragmentation bombs • Agent Organge – herbicide as chemical weapon • Napalm – jelly substance causing burns
Course of the War 1965 - 1968 • Military escalation • Ho Chi Minh Trail • The Tet Offensive – Viet Cong & N Vietnam launch major offensive • Viet Cong capable of massive attacks • US citizens becoming discouraged • My Lai Massacre
Political Division & Resistance to the War • Hawks & Doves • Congress members divided on War • Hawks – win at any cost • Doves – immediate withdrawal
Political Division & Resistance to the War • Student Protests • University of Calif @ Berkeley • Students for Democratic Society • Anti-establishment • The Free Speech Movement • The Teach-In Movement • Special sessions held by professors
Political Division & Resistance to the War • Protest Marches • Washington DC • NYC • Pentagon
Political Division & Resistance to the War • Draft Resisters • Fled to Canada • Sought deferments to go to college • Large number of minorities went to war • American youth hostile towards Johnson’s policies
Political Division & Resistance to the War • Election of 1968 • Anti-war democrats running against Johnson (Robert Kennedy) • Johnson decides not to run unpopular • Democratic Convention chose pro-war candidate • Rallies riots • Republican candidate Nixon wins
The End of the Vietnam War • Nation’s most costly war • Support at an all time low • Nixon widened military activities
The End of the Vietnam War • Vietnamization • Takeover of the ground fighting • Bombing Cambodia • Protest at Kent State Univ. • Support at an all time low
The End of the Vietnam War • Peace with Honor • Peace talks deadlocked • 1973 “peace with honor” & cease-fire would take place soon
The End of the Vietnam War • The War Powers Act of 1973 • Passed by Congress overriding Nixon’s veto • Reverse Gulf Tonkin Resolution • President had to notify Congress within 48 hrs of sending troops to foreign country • President had to bring troops home within 60 days unless congress voting them to stay • Gave Congress more power in dealing with international conflicts
The End of the Vietnam War • End of the Vietnam War • US withdrew, while N Vietnam overran S Vietnam • Saigon gov’t collapses • US aid finally ceases • Domino Theory becomes reality
The End of the Vietnam War • Conclusion on Vietnam War • US politics acted in response to variety of public pressures • US foreign policy supported view of US being involved in foreign affairs • US questioned its role as world police officer
The End of the Vietnam War • Conclusion on Vietnam War • Expansion of presidential powers during war time may not always be the best choice • Limited after war • 26th amendment passed • Voting age lowered to 18(18 yr olds fighting should have a say)