The Vietnam War US History Objectives: **Explain the origins of American involvement in Vietnam during the 50s/60s **Detail how the Vietcong and the North Vietnamese were able to frustrate the American military SOL – VUS.13 Timeline – 1954-1965 US History The Vietnam War

French Indochina (late 1800s-1954) French Imperialism controlled SE Asia **Vietnam **Laos **Cambodia

Ho Chi Minh (1890-1969) Led Communist in Vietnam to overthrow the French

The Domino Theory & Containment Addition to policy of Containment If all of Vietnam turns communist ALL of Asia will turn Communist

Split Vietnams North (Vietnam) = Communist South (Vietnam) = Democracy

The Vietcong (V.C.) Attack (early 1960s) N. Vietnam invades South Vietnam to unify under one communist govt. Pres Kennedy sends military advisors to help S. Vietnam (Containment - Truman Doctrine)

Gulf of Tonkin Incident (August 2 & 4, 1964) N. Vietnam attacked 2 US warships of Vietnam coast Pres Johnson increases U.S. forces in Vietnam

Welcome to the Jungle The Vietcong Tactics Hit-and-run attacks – Guerilla Warfare Home field advantage – miles of tunnels, know the jungles

For What it’s worth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp5JCrS XkJY

Operation Rolling Thunder (establish 1965) Fighting intensifies Bomb the jungle Napalm – fire bomb – Agent Orange – leaf killer

Masters of War https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2mabT nMHe8

Search-and-Destroy Destroy entire V.C. villages Try to force out V.C. (Vietcong) in a fight

Sinking Morale US military is winning the battles but … fighting limited to only S. Vietnam can’t force surrender or defeat the V.C.

Fortunate Son https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40JmEj0 _aVM

The Hawks vs. The Doves US is divided over the war The Hawks – pro-war The Doves – anti-war: angry at draft (picked on poor, college youths protest the war

The Credibility Gap Gov’t insisted USA was winning War on TV – Public sees # of casualties

President Lyndon Johnson (1963-1969) Became hugely unpopular w/ USA people Does not run for reelection in 1968

Election of Richard Nixon (November 1968) Return US to “law and order” End Vietnam – “Peace With Honor”

Vietnamization (1968-1973) Gradually pull out US forces Arm & aid S. Vietnam troops Seek a peace treaty to keep the Vietnam’s separate

The May 4, 1970 Kent State Riot (Ma 4, 1970) College students protest war National Guard fire on students **67 rounds shot in 13 seconds **4 dead, 9 injured

Ohio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRE9vM BBe10

US quickens pace of withdrawal August 23, 1972 - The last U.S. combat troops depart Vietnam. January 27, 1973 - The last American soldier to die in combat in Vietnam, Lt. Col. William B. Nolde, is killed. March 29, 1973 - The last remaining American advisors withdraw from Vietnam as President Nixon declares "the day we have all worked and prayed for has finally come."

The Fall of Saigon (April 30, 1975) N. Vietnam takes over the South

Painful Legacy Dead and injured Carpet bomb N. Vietnam till they release our POWs (Prisoners of War) MIA (Missing in Action) Number served Killed Injured Missing Casualties 2.7 million 58,159 303,635 1,724 363,518

What’s Going On https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H- kA3UtBj4M