Good Morning Vietnam! Ch 30 notes
Pre-US Military Involvement French fight for Indochina (1945-54) Ho Chi Minh Vietnamese national trained in China to gain independence for Indochina French colony Creates Vietminh political party/military & declares Vietnam free in August 1945 France sends troops to protect business interests (rice, rubber crops) US provides $15 million in aid to support fight against “communist” forces
Domino Theory Dien Bien Phu (May 1954) President Eisenhower warns that if France “loses” Vietnam, other neighbor countries will fall to communism Dien Bien Phu (May 1954) N. Vietnam forces surround & destroy 90% of all French troops France announces withdrawal Geneva Accords sign temporarily split Vietnam at 17th parallel & call for national reunification elections in 1956
US Diplomatic support (1954-63) In South Vietnam, Ngo Dinh Diem creates pro-western govt…but appears to be well on his way to losing in elections Eisenhower pledges support to keep Diem govt. stable & postpones elections 1957—Vietcong (pro N. Vietnam forces) begin attacks
Kennedy pledges support to Diem in 1961…so not to look “soft” on communism Sends 16,000 military advisors to Vietnam…non combat troops Diem (Catholic) institutes anti-Buddhist policies & reorganization of village lands…very unpopular Leads to Buddhist immolation protests Unpopular Diem leads JFK to authorize coup to overthrow S. Vietnam govt. Diem assassinated 11/1/1963
US Military Involvement Lyndon Johnson increases troops to S. Vietnam to stabilize new govt. from communist forces Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (Aug. 1964) Reaction to the “attack” of the USS Maddox off the coast of Vietnam 98-2 vote to give LBJ all powers to send military troops Feb. 1965—Operation Rolling Thunder 50,000 troops deployed along w/ sustained bomb campaign of N. Vietnam (180,000 by end of year)
War Tactics N. Vietnam Guerrilla warfare Using cover of jungle, tunnels, & ambushes to counteract large firepower of US Blended in traditional forces into general population
US War of attrition Search & Destroy Missions Using body count numbers to evaluate success Search & Destroy Missions Destroying villages in order to root out imbedded enemy Napalm & Agent Orange Gas bombs to burn jungle and destroy tunnels “Hearts & Minds” Campaign Program to win support of Vietnamese people through acts of kindness Failed miserably due to lack of understanding on part of US commanders
Effects of Agent Orange
Troop Morale Television & War Draftees, lack of progress & instability of S. Vietnam all led to decline in troop morale…and increase in widespread criminal activity (drug use, etc.) Television & War Vietnam 1st war televised & uncensored “living room war” led to dramatic, violent images of war never before seen at home…influenced popular opinion against the war Credibility Gap Public grew distrusting of leaders claiming victory & images showing defeat
Photos of Vietnam
Vietnam Protests