PEACE, LOVE, & EQUALITY? The 1960’s in America

Kennedy & LBJ in Vietnam The Vietnam situation begins long before either one takes office The First Indochina War Mid-nineteenth century Vietnam comes under French rule During WWII – came under Japanese rule Post WWII – Give Vietnam back to France or let them have their own country

War would last for four years Two Sides: French Vietnamese Nationalists led by Ho Chi Minh War would last for four years President Truman and Eisenhower both supported the French The Battle at Dien Bien Phu Massive defeat for the French After battle – France withdraws all military & govt. from Vietnam

Geneva Convention Immediate cease-fire Vietnam would be partitioned along the 17th parallel Vietminh in control of north Pro-Western regime in control of south In 1956, elections would be held and let people decide if country should be reunited

America Fills the Vacuum America would support the new South Vietnam government Under control of Ngo Dinh Diem For a time Diem was successful at running the country

1956 America supports Diem’s decision to refuse people to vote US pours military and economic support Minh restarts the fight – created the NFL otherwise known at the Vietcong Diem fights back and takes drastic measures to keep himself in power

Turning point in American support for Diem came when Buddhist monks set themselves on fire in protest President Kennedy asked Diem to reform his government – he didn’t Kennedy approved of plot of South Vietnamese generals to overthrow Diem in a coup

The Generals assassinated Diem The murders of Diem and others close to him was something the US had not wanted or expected Established a series of new governments Soon after Kennedy is assassinated himself

JFK Assassination November 22, 1963 Kennedy Assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald Two hours later – Lyndon Bane Johnson became president  Kennedy Assassination marked the beginning of a loss in credibility in the government

During first moths in office LBJ expanded USA involvement Johnson & Vietnam Johnson faced mounting pressure to expand American involvement in Vietnam During first moths in office LBJ expanded USA involvement 5,000 military advisors in 1963 With another 5,000 in 1964

Johnson asked congress to give him power Golf of Tonkin In 1964 President Johnson announced that an American patrol ship had been attacked in international waters Johnson asked congress to give him power Golf of Tonkin Resolution Gave LBJ blank check to “take all necessary measures” to protect American forces and “prevent further aggression”