US Involvement in Vietnam Why did we fight? Was it justified? What lessons can we learn?

Why did we get involved in the first place? French considered Indochina (including Vietnam) as its colonial territory mapmap Ho Chi Minh pic organized Communist resistance - movement called “Vietminh”pic Truman & Eisenhower decided to help French “Domino Theory” “Domino Theory” - that Communism was spreading Geneva Accords signed in ‘54 - dividing N&S Ngo Dinh Diem pic ruled “democratic” Southpic Free Elections set for ‘56

Problems with this arrangement? Diem was Corrupt - but only alternative to Communism - Ho Chi Minh was gaining support for social reforms and land redistribution ‘56 Elections - Diem refused to let South vote – Vietminh of South became National Liberation Front joined w/ Viet Cong of North (Communists) to fight Diem’s forces By ‘63 we had 16,000 US military personnel in Vietnam (sent by Pres. Kennedy) - Diem then killed

So What Do We Do? Tonkin Gulf Resolution of ‘64 - “to take all necessary measures to repel attack” –LBJ Tapes of “attack” & McNamaraLBJ Tapes of “attack”McNamara Operation Rolling Thunder - bombings Ho Chi Minh Trail Escalation from ‘65 to ‘67 Search and Destroy Missions Pacification - civilian “safe zones’

Vietnam - A Geographic Look Photo Exhibit Map of Communist Nations

What impact was this having? Divided Opinions - fed by TV images DovesDoves called for withdrawal and focus on domestic issues HawksHawks called for stronger US military interventions - more than domestic issues Protest Groups - Students for Democratic Society - 20,000 march on DC in ‘65 picpic Columbia University - students clashed w/ police - by end of ‘68, 75% of college campuses had protests (especially those w/ ties to military industries)

Changes on the ground in Vietnam? Tet Offensive - Attack by North Vietnamese on Jan. 30,’68 (New Year - Tet) stunned US troops and public US responded, but it shook confidence that war would end soon. Gen. Westmoreland requested 200,000 new troops to add to 510,000 - denied. 14,000 US soldiers killed in ‘68 P.O.V. - Re: Vietnam: Stories Since the War....

Political fallout from Vietnam? Democratic Nominating Convention (‘68)in Chicago was a disaster - Lyndon B. Johnson’s support sagged vs. Eugene McCarthy LBJ won by slim margin, yet decided to retire at end of term - endorsed Humphrey. Sen. Rob F. Kennedy had also entered race, but was assassinated just before Chicago Anti-war protestors created riot scene picpic Many voters blamed Democrats (Nixon(Rep) later called these “silent majority”) Nixon won ‘68 election over Humphrey - promised “secret plan” to end war

Was the war ending? Nixon endorsed idea of “Vietnamization” - yet increased secret air attacks in Laos and Cambodia on Ho Chi Minh trail Viet Cong then supported Khmer Rouge in Cambodia - we expanded war - many in US enraged Kent State Kent State and Mississippi State held student protests - National Guard killed 4 and 2

Peace, finally? Congress in ‘70 repealed Tonkin Gulf Resolution Also, Pentagon Papers were released - exposing Govt. liesPentagon Papers By ‘71, despite passage of 26th Amendment (voting age now 18), Nixon won re-election By ‘72, Nixon forced to initiate peace negotiations with North Vietnamese Paris Peace Accords (‘73) North Vietnamese eventually captured Saigon (‘75) In total, 58,000 Americans died - many MIA

Lasting Effects of Vietnam War War Powers Act (‘73) - required President to get Congressional approval before committing troops to non-war situations Veteran’s Adjustments - Cold welcome back - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder common Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial (Wall) in ‘82Wall US very politically divided (now?) Vietnam now united as a Communist nation (but becoming Capitalist) datadata