Vietnam War Police Action
Geography Southern Part of China Surrounded by Laos Thailand Cambodia Mostly mountainous and jungle Terrain
History After WWII.French tries to colonize again French are defeated at Dien Bien Phu.1954 1954 Geneva Convention Vietnam is divided into two parts North - Ho Chi Minh- Communist / Nationalist South - Ngo Dinh Diem- Premier and supported by United States. Saw Ho as a threat because of Comm. http://www.vietnampix.com
U.S. Gets Involved At Geneva Convention in 1954 country must have free election Ho Chi Minh would have easily won. US prevents election and support Diem. How many Presidents were involved??
Am. Presidents Eisenhower Kennedy Johnson Nixon Ford 1955- 1975
Kennedy Send Advisors Robert McNamara Sec of Defense. Mistakenly makes incorrect assessment of situation. South did not support Diem hated for corruption. Mostly Buddhist opposed Christian Westerners. Removed peasants off land put into slums land given to Am. Industries.
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Facts of the war Kennedy Assassinated Nov. 1963????? Gulf of Tokin- 1964 Johnson ask Congress to give him more authority to protect Am Interest and prevent spread of Communism in Area. Westmorland put in charge.
Am Takes Action 1966 begin saturation bombing Use of Agent Orange, a defoliant to kill jungle and find the enemy Napalm -gas and soap mixed bombs sticking and burning buildings and people.
Tactics Vietnamese used Guerilla Warfare – hit and run US used search and Destroy. Us Decided Wins were decided on body count Problem – Vietnamese viewed victory on outlasting the enemy.
Troops in Vietnam
Psychologically affected US troops no longer safe. Major Conflict Tet Offensive Jan. 3 1968- VC and NV troops attack US and SV major cities. Lasted 3 months Psychologically affected US troops no longer safe. Pictures sent home looked bad VC women and children committed acts of terror. Respond to false arrest and innocent killings. Turning more against us.
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Mistakes made Failed bombing in N. Vietnam More Am. POWs More American deaths My Lai Massacre- killing of innocent villagers, frustrated. SV caught in middle being killed by both sides Nixon invades Cambodia 1970? More trouble back home All Shown on TV
Affects at Home Rock stars produce anti- War songs Many college campuses around country riot have anti war protest Hippies March on Washington Civil Rights Ends more Blacks Serve in the military- Black Riots in inner cities. 4 dead in Ohio Kent State
Nixon gets us out Jan 1973 Am withdraws Troops?? All POWS are returned?? NV and SV sign agreement 17 degree parallel would divide North from South??
End of the war 1975 April 29, 1975 VC and Communist forces surround Saigon. US evacuates remaining personnel from embassy and 6,000 SV diplomats and other that helped aid the US in 24 hours. April 30th 1975 SV surrenders to Communist
Results Wasn’t till late 1980’s that veterans of Vietnam were accepted as heroes. Many suffered from physical and mental problems on account of the war. MY uncle Ho Chi Minh would never see his dream come true. Still communist today communism Wars with neighboring communist countries
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc2OvrpzjvM https://www.yotube.com/watch?v=Qjzjhl-QztE