The Vietnam War & American Society

31.1 – Deepening American Involvement Causes of the war: Communist nationals ousted French colonial power & divide Vietnam – North (Communist) & South (Republic) – The U.S. supports South Vietnam with 16,000 military advisers Gulf of Tonkin Resolution: after an alleged attack on U.S. ships, congress authorizes “all necessary measures to repel any armed attack.”

31.2 – The Brutality of the War Viet Cong use guerrilla warfare tactics & infiltrate the civilian population U.S. troops face booby traps & snipers; often can not distinguish “friend from foe.” The U.S. turns to saturation bombing & chemical weapons = high civilian costs. My Lai Massacre: In search of Viet Cong, Americans slaughter a village of civilians. My Lai Massacre Communist Tet Offensive leads to slaughter of 5,000 civilians

31.3 – Student Protest The rising death toll, increasing use of the draft and the Pentagon Papers leads to growing public opposition to the war – Protests around the country call for an end to the war – Conscientious objectors & “draft dodgers” refuse to fight – Some students receive deferments Protests at Kent State and Jackson State turn deadly for students.Kent State

31.4 – The Counterculture 1960’s youth movements promoted ideas of more personal freedom & individuality – The Sexual Revolution shocks conservative Americans – Use of marijuana & psychedelic drugs becomes widespread – Music reflected the mood of the times Woodstock Festival 1969

31.5 The End of the War President Nixon inherited the war from LBJ, promises to end the U.S. involvement – Nixon first expands the war into Cambodia – Paris Peace Talks – ends war in Vietnam will remain divided After Nixon is impeached, North Vietnam is emboldened to invade South & eventually reunites Vietnam under Communist regime. Last U.S. personnel evacuate in April, 1975