Today’s Schedule – 5/14 PPT: US Military Action in Vietnam Continue Video HW: – Continue reading assignments on board – Vietnam War Quiz: Monday
PHASE 2 AMERICAN ESCALATION AND MILITARY INVOLVEMENT
Johnson & Vietnam – Gulf of Tonkin Incident – Gulf of Tonkin Resolution LBJ’s “blank check” – All necessary measures to prevent further aggression
Ho Chi Minh Trail – Vietcong/Guerrilla warfare US underestimates Gen. Westmoreland’s belief in attrition – Hanoi 3 yr bombing – US POWs The guerilla wins if he does not lose, the conventional army loses if it does not win. -- M MM Mao Zedong
Tet Offensive – January 31, 1968 – Holiday attack – Saigon
America’s First Living Room War – My Lai – Agent Orange
America’s Response – Kent State – “Baby killers” – Credibility Gap – “Hey, Hey, LBJ how many kids did you kill today” 48% - 36% popularity – “Hell no we won’t go” – Sec. of Defense McNamara – 1968 Election of Nixon “Silent Majority”
Pentagon Papers – US role not containment but to avoid embarrassment Nixon’s Role – Vietnamization – Carpet bombing – Secret attacks in Cambodia Henry Kissinger’s Role – America’s withdrawal