Conflict in Vietnam

Vietnam as a colony 1800’s becomes colony of France French colonists make most money Much unrest with French peasants

During WWII Japan occupies Vietnam Ho Chi Minh & Vietminh Growing independence movement US supported Post war, Ho Chi Minh declares Vietnam independent

French Fight France not willing to let Vietnam go Go to war US offers French economic & military aid See Ho Chi Minh as “communist aggressor” Eisenhower fears “domino theory”

French Surrender May 1954 French surrender Geneva Accords -peace agreement Divide Vietnam at 17th parallel 1956 election to unite two sides Cancelled elections - Ho Chi Minh too popular

US Gets More Directly Involved US supports south Ngo Dinh Diem - corrupt, but anti-communist Increase in Vietcong Kennedy - sends advisors, then troops

Change in Leadership Nov. 1, 1963 - US military coup to oust Diem Diem executed Soon after, Kennedy assassinated Kenendy - withdraw Johnson - escalates

Go to War or Not? Aug. 2, 1964 - North Vietnamese fire on US destroyer Says it happens again Johnson asks for extended powers from Congress Tonkin Gulf Resolution adopted

How to Win the War General Westmoreland wants more troops US has superior weapons Wear down through attrition North starts guerrilla tactics

US Needs Support Villager support Stop Vietcong Morale is low

Fighting the War in Vietnam The goal of U.S. military was to defeat the Vietcong & support democracy in South Vietnam: But, the Vietcong lived among the civilians in Vietnamese in cities & villages (who is the enemy?) The Vietcong used guerilla tactics to combat U.S. military superiority Jungles made fighting difficult

The air force bombed villages & supply lines (Ho Chi Minh Trail) The U.S. military used a variety of tactics to fight the war in Vietnam The air force bombed villages & supply lines (Ho Chi Minh Trail)

The U.S. military used a variety of tactics to fight the war in Vietnam The military used napalm to destroy villages & pesticides (Agent Orange) to destroy crops

The U.S. military used a variety of tactics to fight the war in Vietnam Soldiers were sent on deadly “search & destroy” missions into the jungles to find the Vietcong

War Turns Jan. 1968 Tet Offensive During week-long truce Vietcong used to their advantage Multiple attacks at once Month long

1968 Election Hubert Humphrey (Democrat) Richard Nixon (Republican) Difficult election Nixon wins - promise to get out

Change in Leadership Nixon announces troop withdrawal By 1972 - down to 25,000 troops Vietnamization Still bombing Cambodia & Laos

Peace? Nixon tries to broker peace No agreement Nixon unleashes “Christmas Bombings” All want to end war Jan 27, 1973 - US signed “Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam.” Mar 29, 1973 - combat troops left

Fall of Saigon North & South cease-fire ended March 1975 - North invades South US won’t help April 30, 1975 - South surrenders