Vietnam War Introduction Ms. Olsen English II

Quick Write Infer & Predict: What kind of war would make a soldier feel this way? What country do you think this soldier was from? What do you think he was fighting for? Dear Mom and Dad, Today we went on a mission, and I am not very proud of myself, my friends, or my country.

The Vietnam War 1955 - 1975 ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS: Why did we get involved in another war overseas? What were our primary motives? What was the outcome? Was it a just / fair war?

The Vietnam War (in short) Over a decade long Began with a revolutionary movement in Vietnam (a tiny, peasant country) to fight for independence It was a war of modern military technology (U.S.) vs. organized human beings (Vietnam) The human beings won The Vietnam war created the biggest anti-war movement the U.S. had ever seen

Vietnam Basics Location: In Southeast Asia, near Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and parts of China Population 83 Million People Mostly Buddhist Strong minority of Catholics Resources Very fertile, hot and wet climate, many resources

Vietnam History (Key Points) Before WWII, France controlled Vietnam

WWI & Vietnam At the end of WWI, American President Woodrow Wilson promises to end colonialism. A young Ho Chi Minh (Communist leader) attends Versaillies Conference hoping to gain Vietnamese Independence from France. Ho Chi Minh led a revolutionary movement for independence from foreign control Viet Minh – founded by Ho Chi Minh. Communist/Nationalist group that opposed the French and later Japanese. Nationalism – pride in your country, desire for independent homeland for your people.

WWII & Vietnam At the beginning of the War, French still control Vietnam. Vietnamese resistance grows. Ho Chi Minh Leader of the Viet Minh Wants an independent Vietnam Opposes French, Japanese, and AMERICAN Millions rejoice that their country is free of foreign control at last!

Declaring Independence WW2 Ends and September 2, 1945, Ho Chi Minh declares Vietnam independent !! Ho Chi Minh reads from US Declaration of Independence Some see Ho Chi Minh’s Declaration of Independence as evidence of being a nationalist rather than being a communist. They refer to this example has him expressing his interest in having a relationship with the United States. BUT, the French want Indochina back, and they do not recognize Vietnamese independence. Reclaim colony. What should the US do? Support Vietnamese or help France regain its colonial empire?

Divided American State Department PRO - WAR ANTI - WAR European Experts in American Government support backing France. STOP spread of Communism in Asia !! Asia Experts in American Government support backing Ho Chi Minh Feel he is a Nationalist SO? US Backs France. Truman Adminstration then Eisenhower Administration back France. Due to the following factors: -Korean War, Loss of China to communists, Idea of stopping communism, and the Cold War

Other interests / benefits for the US…?? A secret US govt. memo from 1952 talked about SE Asia’s valuable resources: Rubber Tin Oil were important to the US … if the Vietnam govt. won against France and took over they might be hostile towards the US and not trade with us.

Activity 1 Choose one of the people you see in this picture. Write what you think they were seeing / feeling. A critically wounded marine is aided by other marines from "B" Company, September 16th, 1966, two miles South of the de-militarized zone.

South Vietnam Instead of supporting Geneva Agreement and allowing unification elections and a Communist victory, US supports creation of a non-Communist, South Vietnam. American war in Vietnam is fought to keep South Vietnam Non-Communist! Discussion Question: Was it right of the United States to support the creation of South Vietnam? Why or why not?

JFK & Vietnam Views Vietnam as important to Cold War like Truman and Eisenhower Begins Escalation of Troops Overall picture unsure due to his assassination JFK believed the best way to stop communists in Vietnam was to build South Vietnam into a nation.

Ngo Dinh Diem First leader of South Vietnam Nationalist but strongly anti-Communist Catholic Receives strong support from Eisenhower & Kennedy Massive military and financial aid from US Brutal to communists Upsets Buddhist Majority Adminstration is very corrupt Assasinated in 1963

Key Points When Eisenhower left office, less than 1,000 US soldiers were in Vietnam At the time of Kennedy’s assassination (1963), over 16,000 solders were in Vietnam. By 1969, Vietnam had 543,000 US soliders Many of the solders under JFK were Special Forces and under Johnson, regular ground troops were introduced.

Key Terms TERMS: Hanoi – refers to North Vietnamese government NVA – North Vietnamese Army VC/Charlie- Viet Cong: Communist rebels in South Vietnam ARVN – South Vietnamese Army POW – Prisoner of War MIA – Missing in Action

Who did America Fight in Vietnam? Viet Cong North Vietnamese Army Both groups were heavily supplied from USSR via China

Early American Support for War in Vietnam Americans initially supported the war Hit Song “The Green Berets” Public is told troops will be home soon, and the war is almost over. Vietnam is the first war that is heavily covered by television networks. American public sees daily images of casualties Public begins to turn against the war.

Anti-War Propaganda Who does this propaganda seem to be directed at? What does the purpose of this piece of propaganda seem to be? What symbolism is present?

Anti-War Propaganda Who does this propaganda seem to be directed at? What does the purpose of this piece of propaganda seem to be? Who is represented in the caricatures?

1975 & Results of War North Vietnam takes over South Vietnam Results: US doesn’t prevent the take over. Vietnam is unified under one communist state Results: 60,000 Americans killed US reluctant to use military power American public is divided Americans don’t trust government Vietnam is Communist Cambodia falls to Communists Khmer Rouge/Cambodian Communist take power Pol Pot is leader Killing Fields – Genocide of 1/3 of the Cambodian population Vietnam invades and occupies Cambodia to defeat Khmer Rouge

Activity #2 See & Respond SEE images of the Vietnam War / MLK Jr. & the protest movement in the late 60s You will RESPOND: Choose a role to step into. Examples: a protester, MLK Jr, the president, a Vietnamese civilian Write a poem or a short creative piece in the voice of this person… we will have to guess who you are.

Mortars The Scout on point has raised his hand And flashed the signal to his band ENEMY IN SIGHT GET DOWN! But in the distance, sickening sounds, The deadened "thunk" of mortar rounds Leaving hollow tubes. The men melt to the ground, Scrambling, crabbing leaving the trail High, thin-screamed, louder, whistling wail Of incoming! The men cower, cringing low The clench their necks, await the blow That erupts with such a smashing "crack", That rings the ears and slams the back That bleeds the nose, that aches the head, That takes the breath, and kills them dead.

Vietnam War Picture 1

Picture 2

Vietnam War Protests Picture 3

Picture 4

Picture 6

Vietnam War Protests Picture 5

Activity #4 IMAGINE you are a teenager in the late 1960s… Knowing what you know now about the results of the Vietnam War, what position would you have taken on the war? FOR or AGAINST ? What would you have done to make your voice heard?

Credits Presentation adapted from Ms. Marquardt, Uplift Community High School.