Vietnam

Vietnam French Indochina French ruled Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia since the late 1800s. Growing unrest among the oppressed Vietnamese (restricted freedom of speech and assembly) Indochinese Communist Party founded in 1930 stage a number of revolts under Ho Ch Minh and his newly formed Vietminh. Ho Chi Ming found exile in the Soviet Union and later China.

Japanese Rule In 1940, Japanese took control of Vietnam from French 1945 – Allies force Japan to leave Vietnam, leaving Ho Chi Minh to achieve goal of Vietnam Independence September 2, 1945, Ho Chi Minh declares Vietnam independent nation in Hanoi.

French – again! France troops move back to Vietnam French gain power in the cities and in Southern Vietnam Ho Chi Minh determined to gain South from French Truman sends $15 million in economic aid to assist French. Ironically, the US had given Ho Chi Minh financial aid to resist the Japanese during WWII!

Eisenhower Eisenhower continues with aid to French to fight. Frustrated with stalemate in Korea, Eisenhower explained the domino theory to justify involvement in Vietnam May through June 1954 France, Great Britain, Soviet Union, U.S., China, Laos, and Cambodia meet in Geneva, Switzerland. Geneva Accords divide Vietnam (temporarily) at the 17 th parallel. Ho Chi Minh - North (Hanoi) Anti-communist nationalists – South – (Saigon)

Divided

Eisenhower and Kennedy Both continue financial and military aid to South Vietnam and its president, Ngo Dinh Diem Diem, a Catholic, angers Buddhist population by restricting their practice Vietcong, Communist opposition in the South, begin attacks on Diem’s government Kennedy sends troops to Vietnam to support Diem. 16,000 military personnel in South Vietnam. November 1, 1963 US military coup resulting in killing Diem. November 22, 1963, Kennedy assasinaited

Johnson August 2, 1964, North Vietnamese patrol boat fires torpedo on USS Maddox. Two days later, crew reports enemy torpedo – false Tonkin Gulf Resolution August 7 allowing military freedom for Johnson. February 1965 “Operation Rolling Thunder” bombing of North June 1965, 65,000 troops in South Vietnam battling Vietcong.

Jungle Fighting Jungle terrain and and guerilla war tactics turned war into stalemate Ambush techniques, tunnels, booby traps, and land mines US drops napalm, gasoline-based bombs US sprayed Agent Orange to kill foliage US search and destroy missions to uproot anyone with ties to Vietcong

Napalm

Draft Men ages called to serve College deferments, medical reasons, fleeing, oh my. 20% of American combat deaths were African American who made up 10% of US population War divides nation – hawks(56% poll show) and doves (28%)

Tet Offensive Vietnamese New Year honoring dead – firecrackers, flutes, celebrations with thousands of people streaming into villages and towns to celebrate Surprise attack – coffins filled with weapons Villages filled with Vietcong US embassy attached in Saigon Vietcong lost 32,000 US 3000 GREATLY shakes US popular opinion of war – enemy seemed to be everywhere and war unwinnable. Hawks – 40 Doves – 40. Press begins to criticize war.

Tet

My Lai Massacre On March 16, 1968 Lieutenant William Calley, Jr. lead command to massacre innocent children, women, and elderly searching for Vietcong and finding none. Americans outraged!! Calley convicted and jailed after news was that he ordered “Kill anything that breathed.”

My Lai

Richard Nixon Promises a “secret plan” to get US out of war Instead, escalates by invading Cambodia on April 30, College student protest – Nixon calls out National Guard – leaving four college students at Kent State (Ohio) dead and two at Jackson State Mississippi.

Kent State

Peace Saigon falls on April 30, ,000 American killed 303,000 Americans wounded 3.3 million Americans served 15% suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Fall of Saigon

Vietnam Veterans Memorial: The Wall In 1981, national competition to determine the Vietnam memorial’s design 21-year-old architect student of Chinese descent, Maya Ying Li, submits winning design

The Wall