The Vietnam War

Food for Thought… Longest War in American history “Most unpopular” war of 20th century ~60,000 American deaths ~2 million Vietnamese deaths 1st “living room” war

US goals in Vietnam after WW II China becomes Communist in Communist invaded South Korea in Truman ( ) Saw Vietnam as part of the Cold War Supported France; unwilling to back the Vietminh’s fight for independence Events Followed the domino theory Sent arms, ammunition, supplies, and money to the French forces in Vietnam. Eisenhower ( )

Vietnam after World War II The Domino Theory Domino theory—the belief that communism would spread to neighboring countries if Vietnam fell to communism By 1954 the United States was paying 75%+ of French war costs Extra $ doesn’t result in French victory

France Defeated French soldiers made a last stand at Dien Bien Phu. The French surrendered in May of Agree to split Vietnam into N & S The Vietminh learn how to fight guerilla style war

Conflict between North Vietnam and South Vietnam President Eisenhower hoped keep S Viet. Non-communist South Vietnam’s leader was Ngo Dinh Diem. North Vietnam’s leader was Ho Chi Minh. As a civil war breaks out in Vietnam in the 1950s, Minh tries to unify Vietnam under Communism Diem Minh

U.S. Involvement in Vietnam Increased the number of military advisors and special forces Eisenhower (53-61) Sends money and weapons to South Vietnam “Military advisors” sent to help S Viet. Kennedy (61-63) Expanded U.S. involvement Asked Congress to pass the Tonkin Gulf Resolution Johnson (63-69)

Increasing U.S. Involvement Diem’s Overthrow Diem’s government continued to grow more and more unpopular. –Buddhists frustrated and persecuted –US not happy with him –Diem overthrown (‘63) Tonkin Gulf Resolution Johnson claims that the USS Maddox had been attacked by N Viet. The Tonkin Gulf Resolution was passed in August of 64

What really happened?

Operation Rolling Thunder (65) Main target was the Ho Chi Minh Trail Weapons of the Air War Agent Orange Napalm “Cluster bombs” US Warfare Strategies……. The Air War Bombing didn’t work

"Napalm is the most terrible pain you can imagine,” "Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius. Napalm generates temperatures of 800 to 1,200 degrees Celsius."

Agent Orange

Punji sticks and “trou de loups”

Difficult Ground War in Vietnam Troop #’s grow during 1960’s U.S. forces implemented a program of pacification to “win the hearts and minds” of the S Viet. people.

US starts strategy of “body counts”

The Draft Vietnam lottery ran from % - Refused or left the US. 25% - Excused for health 30% - Received deferments College Students deferred Higher-income less likely to serve Higher % were minorities

Media’s Impact Reporters with soldiers Television Criticized the government Hawks and Doves Public Opinion Regarding the Vietnam War Antiwar Movement Much antiwar activity took place on college campuses.

The Tet Offensive U.S. military base in Khe Sanh attacked in January Khe Sanh Main Communist offensive began on January 30, 1968, at the start of Tet, the Vietnamese New Year. A coordinated attack in 100 cities across S Viet. The Main Attacks

Effect of the Tet Offensive Growing Doubts Public opposition grows (ex: Walter Cronkite)

Deception….Widening the War Vietnamization Strategy of gradually turning the fighting over to the S Viet. Nixon starts withdrawing troops Laos and Cambodia Nixon secretly tries to force N Viet. to seek peace by bombing them

War Protests I970 - Nixon tells public of troops going into Cambodia Violent protest at Kent State (1970) My Lai massacre (1968) and the Pentagon Papers (1971) turn more against the war

U.S. Involvement in Vietnam Ends Lowered the voting age from 21 to th Amendment 1971 Nixon urges patience. Announces a breakthrough in talks with N Viet. This helps him win the election by a large margin Election

A Peace Agreement An agreement between the US and N. Viet. Is reached, January of The US agrees to withdraw and help rebuild. -POWs agreed to be returned -What of S Viet?

The End Game Two years after U.S. troops were withdrawn, N Viet troops invade S After a short fight, S Viet. surrenders in 1975 –The U.S. military evacuates Americans in Saigon. –~130,000 S. Vietnamese also evacuated to US Vietnam reunited under Communist rule

Southeast Asia 635,000 South Vietnamese died; Vietcong and NVA war dead equaled 1 million Severe environmental damage from bombs and defoliants More than 1.5 million South Vietnamese fled the country after the fall of Saigon. Veterans 58,000 Americans were killed; 600 were held as POWs; 2,500 soldiers reported MIA; 300,000 wounded Experienced a negative reception upon return Trouble readjusting to civilian life (post- traumatic stress disorder) The Legacy… Political Impact United States failed to contain communism Spent more than $150 billion on the war Changed how many Americans viewed government Congress passed the War Powers Act in 1973.