Knights Charge 5/5 What was LBJ’s domestic plan called? What did he want to accomplish as President? What was significant about the Warren Court? In what ways were JFK, FDR, and LBJ similar? How were the different?

The Vietnam War

Origins of the War In the 1800’s France had controlled most of Southeast Asia and Indochina Through the 1900’s, the French battled against Vietnamese Nationalism and Communism led by Ho Chi Minh Vietnamese defeated the French at Dien Bien Phu on May 7, 1954 North Vietnam became Communist and South Vietnam Non-Communist

America Opposes Communism in Vietnam Domino Theory- idea that if Vietnam fell to communism all surrounding countries would too Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) formed by US aided South Vietnam led by Ngo Dinh Diem Goal was to contain communism Diem was eventually overthrown and assassinated Vietcong- South Vietnamese fighters who opposed Diem and the US

America Sends Troops Kennedy sends first troops to Vietnam to fight Vietcong and Ho Chi Minh After JFK’s death, LBJ increases number of American soldiers in Vietnam On August 7 1964, US passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution- Authorized President to take all necessary measures to repel any attack against the US Gave Johnson increased war powers and commit more troops

America’s Strategy in Vietnam Led by Secretary of State Robert McNamara and General William Westmoreland Operation Rolling Thunder- Drop tons of bombs and Napalm “Americanize the War”- US must increase military presence and send more troops

American Support Declines Hawks- Those who supported American involvement in Vietnam Doves- Those who were opposed to the Vietnam war As the war raged on, American public opinion and morale declined

Anti-War Sentiment Kent State shooting- protestors at Kent State University were shot and 4 were killed Ma Lai Massacre- US troops killed 500 Vietnamese civilians Pentagon Papers- Revealed government wasn’t truthful in what was happening in Vietnam

Turning Point and End of the War Tet Offensive- large assault led by Vietcong against the US and ARVN Tactical victory for US Very costly for US Showed that the end of the war was not in sight

Johnson’s Downfall Due to the failure of ending Vietnam and public disapproval of Vietnam, Johnson decided not to seek re-election in 1968

End of the War Paris Peace Accords- North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and US agree to cease fire and withdrawal of US troops Nixon wanted “Vietnamization”- US withdrawal and ARVN continue fight Wanted to surrender with honor When US left, North Vietnamese attacked and took South Vietnam capital Saigon War Powers Act- restricted President’s War making power

Knights Charge 5/6 Why did the US get involved in Vietnam? Who were on each side of the conflict? Who led the communist regime in North Vietnam? What was the American strategy known as? What were those who opposed Vietnam known as? Those who supported it?