Vietnam War November 1955-April 1975

Where is Vietnam?

How did the Vietnam war start? France had claimed parts of Vietnam for 100 years- They were being pushed out of the country by Ho Chi Minh who was communist. America was against communism. Peace talks were held in Switzerland. They decided that they would split the country in half. North Vietnam would be under Ho Chi Minh as a Communist country and South Vietnam would be a democratic country lead by Ngo Dinh Diem. America believed that if South Vietnam fell to the north other countries would fall too.

Problems American Soldiers faced Unfamiliar terrain and weather Guerilla Warfare: ambushes, sabotage, raids, petty warfare, hit-and-run tactics, and mobility to fight a larger and less-mobile traditional military. The Draft- Men Weren't given a choice- THEY HAD TO GO. MIA/POW - There are still 1,654 men who are un accounted for!

impact of THE MEDIA on Vietnam Vietnam was the first war to be broadcast on T.V. It was the first time most Americans saw the devastation of war. Many were angry. The Government lied about what was happening. The American people did not support the war.

American Statistics: 76% of the men sent to Vietnam were from lower to middle class families The average age of a soldier was 19 Longest war in history Over 58,000 people were killed The oldest man killed was 62 years old; the youngest was 16 61% of the men killed were 21 or younger 304,000 were wounded 75,000 were disabled 800,000 Vietnam veterans were diagnosed as having “significant” to “severe” problems of readjustment The United States spent over $200 billion dollars on the war.

Vietnam Statistics Over 2,000,000 were dead Over 4,000,000 were wounded Over 10,000,000 were displaced from their homes

The Hippie Movement and Flower Power Flower Children believed that violence and war was not the way to solve problems. They valued peace and would protest anytime there was weapons or force being used. They were also against consumerism and bought everything used.