Vietnam War 1954 - 1975

KEY TERMS NLF – National Liberation Front – communist rebel group in S. Vietnam Vietcong – guerilla fighters of the NLF ARVN – Army of the Republic of Vietnam

U.S. Involvement – Why? After WWII, French reasserted colonial control in S.E. Asia Ho Chi Minh led nationalist movement Cold War U.S. needed French support Sent economic aide to help France Containment Policy and Domino Theory Geneva Accords – 1954 Vietnam was split until 1956

U.S. Involvement (cont’d) Ngo Dinh Diem refuses to allow elections in 1956 (with U.S. support) President Kennedy sends Special Forces to assist/ advise ARVN USS Maddox fired upon by North Vietnamese President Johnson ordered airstrike Gulf of Tonkin Resolution – expanded war powers of President Johnson Operation Rolling Thunder U.S. continues to commit more troops each year

War Divides Americans Congress – Hawks vs. Doves Military Draft – over 1.5 million draftees Tet Offensive – massive attack against U.S. troops President Johnson orders bombing of Ho Chi Minh Trail – expands war into Cambodia My Lai Massacre

Tet Offensive

My Lai Massacre

My Lai Massacre

War Divides Americans (cont’d) Credibility Gap Johnson vs. Press Television War Showed shocking footage Protests and Counterculture Kent State University shooting Jackson State University Woodstock Pentagon Papers

End of War Paris Peace Accords – January 1973 cease-fire By 1975, Vietnam unified under Communist government

End of War (cont’d) Communism spread to Laos, Cambodia Effects within the United States 58,000 U.S. soldiers died 300,000 wounded Vets return home Felt unappreciated Physical and Psychological disorders

End of War (cont’d) Effects within the United States (cont’d) Public opinion 2 out of 3 Americans view the war as “a mistake” Over half didn’t know what war was about About 1/3 didn’t know which side we supported Affected Domestic policies (less money) War Powers Act 1973 – restricted Presidential powers Americans less likely to support future foreign entanglements