The Vietnam War 1945 - 1975

Overview Keep communism from spreading. 3 million soldiers sent, 60,000 killed, 304,000 wounded $150 billion Divided a country for years

Ho Chi Minh wanted communism to come to Vietnam. Created a league for independence: Vietminh Began a guerilla war vs. Japan

Ho Chi Minh

U.S. Intervention Truman would not recognize Ho’s state. Backed French at retaking the country. ($15 Million) Began paying for France’s war: 80%, would send no troops Eisenhower feared a domino effect

Fall of Dien Bien Phu Defeat of the French (1954)

U.S. refuse to allow the Vietnamese to have a country wide vote. Supported Ngo Dinh Diem for control. He was more repressive than Minh.

Buddhist Protest against Diem government 1963

Revolutionary Groups Vietminh: North Vietcong: South

U.S. Response Kennedy Ok’s overthrow of Diem Diem finally surrenders, and is murdered 16,000 “advisors” in the country by 1963 Johnson escalates conflict much further

Duong Van Minh coup 1963

Nguyen Cao Ky military dictatorship 1965

War Escalates Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (1964): President can reply as he sees fit By 1965 there are 100,000 troops in Vietnam Johnson orders bombing of North Vietnam By 1967, 500,000 troops

Major Problem Who the heck is the enemy? p.738 U.S. is losing war, Johnson sends in more troops, and more machines Cannot find the V.C. Win the hearts of the countryside, guerrillas will have nowhere to hide

By 1967; 3 million refugees in S.V. Search and destroy missions “We had to destroy the town in order to save it.” Napalm and Agent Orange

War Protests at home

Protest in many different ways: Marches Protest rallies Protest songs by popular artists Violent eruptions Civil disobedience

Robert F. Kennedy

Hubert H. Humphrey

Campaign of 1968

Kent State Massacre (5/4/70)

Allison Krause 350 feet away shot through the arm and chest                                        Allison Krause 350 feet away shot through the arm and chest Jeff Miller 275 feet away shot through the head Sandy Scheuer 400 feet away shot through the throat Bill Schroeder 400 feet away shot in the back

Results of protests 200,000 accused of draft dodging 4,000 sent to prison Thousands of people injured or killed No change in Johnson’s policy

Tet Offensive (1968) V.C. launch a major attack on a cease fire day. Attack 100 cities at once Shocks U.S. civilians and leaders In Hue, 2,000 civilians murdered By now Johnson’s ratings: 35%

US Marines retake Hue Tet Offensive

The End of the War Johnson does not run in ’68 Due to total loss of backing Decides to finally negotiate a ceasefire Nixon wins election Begins withdrawing troops (60,000)

Nixon favors Vietnamization Peace with honor By 1972, only 25,000 troops were left 1/27/73 first settlement reached 4/30/75 Saigon falls

Vietnam Today

Memories of Vietnam