“I ain’t no fortunate son”: Americans begin to question the Vietnam War

The Growing CREDIBILITY GAP As the war drags on, people become more and more frustrated with the progress of the war. While the gov’t gives reports about how well things are going, TV reports and body counts show a different picture. This leads to the CREDIBILITY GAP – people don’t believe what LBJ’s administration was saying.

The ANTI-WAR movement starts By the mid-1960s, people disillusioned with the war start to speak out. In 1965, many colleges hold TEACH-INS to discuss war issues. Many draftees refuse to go to war. They burn draft cards, and leave for CANADA. Some chose to go to prison. This debate leads to the 26th AMENDMENT – it gives 18 year olds the right to vote.

HAWKS and DOVES People who were for continuing the war become known as HAWKS. Those who wanted the U.S. to withdraw from the war become known as DOVES. In 1967, about 2/3 of the nation supported staying in the war. The events of 1968 change many people’s minds.

The TET OFFENSIVE On the Jan. 30, 1968 (the Vietnamese New Year – known as the TET), the VC and N. Vietnamese attacked strategic targets in South Vietnam. U.S. and S. Vietnamese forces were caught off guard, and it takes them about a month to drive the VC out. The VC kill many important political and religious leaders during the TET OFFENSIVE. Although they didn’t win MILITARILY, the TET helped the N. Vietnamese change many minds about the war. More and more people felt it was a “no win” situation.

LBJ Chooses Not to Run By 1968, LBJ had taken enough. When he would make public appearances, crowds would shout “Hey, hey, LBJ… How many kids did you kill today?” Eugene McCarthy chooses to run against him in the Democratic primary. LBJ shocks everybody when he chooses not to run in 1968.

1968 – A Year of Tragedy Things are pretty bad at home in 1968 as well. MLK is assassinated, and this leads to riots. Robert Kennedy, who is running for president, is assassinated by Sirhan Sirhan. Police and anti-war protesters fight in the streets of the Democratic National convention in Chicago.

“Goodnight Saigon”: America Gets Out of Vietnam

Election of 1968 In the election of 1968, there were three major candidates: Richard Nixon (Republican) Hubert Humphrey (Democrat – hurt by his pro-war stance) George Wallace (Independent – Segregationist) Nixon wins a close race and promises to unite the nation.

LINKAGE and VIETNAMIZATION Along with his assistant HENRY KISSINGER, Nixon uses two strategies to end the war LINKAGE: An attempt to improve relations with the Soviet Union and China so they would stop helping N. Vietnam VIETNAMIZATION: Get the S. Vietnamese to start doing most of the fighting in the war. (Nixon starts to withdraw troops)

MY LAI In Spring of 1968, American troops on a “search and destroy” mission massacre at least 200 unarmed civilians in the Vietnamese town of My Lai. Most were women, children, and old men. This happens out of frustration and confusion, but it gives the entire U.S. military a black eye. This brings more support to the anti-war movement.

Violence on Campus In 1970, Nixon calls for an invasion of CAMBODIA to destroy VC bases. In May 1970, protests at KENT STATE UNIVERSITY end with tear gas, rifles, and four dead students killed by national guardsmen. At JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY, two African American students are killed.

The Pentagon Papers By Dec. 1970, Congress repealed the Gulf of Tonkin resolution. In 1971, a government worker named DANIEL ELLSBERG provides the New York Times with reports about how the President’s people attempted to deceive Congress and the American people about the progress of the war. People get even angrier about the war.

America ends its involvement Before the election of 1972, Nixon and his people claim that they are close to peace. Nixon beats Dem. GEORGE McGOVERN in a landslide. By Jan. 1973, the sides agree to a ceasefire. The U.S. withdraws its troops. After 8 years, the U.S. is out. By 1975, North Vietnam invades S. Vietnam. S. Vietnam asks for help but the U.S. refuses. Vietnam is united, becomes Communist, and the S. Vietnamese capital of Saigon becomes HO CHI MINH CITY.