Slide 1 THE VIETNAM WAR Socials 11

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Slide 3 PHASE 1 - A WAR OF COLONIAL INDEPENDENCE AGAINST THE FRENCH Vietnam had been a French Vietnam had been a French colony under the name of French Indochina (along with Cambodia and Laos) Vietnam began to fight for its independence from France during WW II Vietnam began to fight for its independence from France during WW II the Vietnamese revolutionary leader was Ho Chi Minh he wanted to be the leader of an independent, communist Vietnam; Ho received support the Vietnamese revolutionary leader was Ho Chi Minh he wanted to be the leader of an independent, communist Vietnam; Ho received support from both the USSR and “Red” China

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Slide 5 this colonial war raged from , culminating in the French defeat at Dienbienphu this colonial war raged from , culminating in the French defeat at Dienbienphu Fr. decided it wanted out and called a peace conference ( Geneva Peace Conference ) Fr. decided it wanted out and called a peace conference ( Geneva Peace Conference ) the decision of the conference was to partition Vietnam into a communist North led by Ho and a “democratic” South Vietnam led by Ngo Dinh Diem the decision of the conference was to partition Vietnam into a communist North led by Ho and a “democratic” South Vietnam led by Ngo Dinh Diem

Slide 6 the settlement was an outgrowth of basic Cold War tensions between the Americans and Soviets and clearly reflected the US policy of containment with respect to Soviet communist expansionism the settlement was an outgrowth of basic Cold War tensions between the Americans and Soviets and clearly reflected the US policy of containment with respect to Soviet communist expansionism the US had come to see South Vietnam as a “domino” that they couldn’t afford to lose the US had come to see South Vietnam as a “domino” that they couldn’t afford to lose

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Slide 12 Guerilla Warfare Home made weapons. Home made weapons. Depend upon locals for support Depend upon locals for support Usually damages supply depots Usually damages supply depots Using hit and run tactics against an enemy. (Ambushes) Uniforms are not worn, but camouflage is. Using hit and run tactics against an enemy. (Ambushes) Uniforms are not worn, but camouflage is. Used by weaker forces against a more powerful opponent. Used by weaker forces against a more powerful opponent. Tunneling is used. Tunneling is used. Make use of surroundings. Make use of surroundings. Booby Traps Booby Traps

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Slide 16 PHASE 2 – AMERICAN ESCALATION AND MILITARY INVOLVEMENT this phase originated with Eisenhower and JFK but was intensified under Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ), who assumed the presidency after JFK’s assassination this phase originated with Eisenhower and JFK but was intensified under Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ), who assumed the presidency after JFK’s assassination The U.S. never formally issued a declaration of war, but after the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, where 2 American destroyers were apparently fired upon by the North Vietnamese, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolutions (August 1964) The U.S. never formally issued a declaration of war, but after the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, where 2 American destroyers were apparently fired upon by the North Vietnamese, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolutions (August 1964) - here Congress gave LBJ their support in sending American personnel and material

Slide 17 in spite of ongoing escalation in spite of ongoing escalation throughout the 1960s, the US experienced a lack of success against the Vietnamese guerrilla forces in S. Vietnam (the Vietcong) as the US Army was unprepared for their tactics and mentality their tactics and mentality  The US was also never entirely successful in shutting down the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a down the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a supply line that ran between supply line that ran between North and South Vietnam via North and South Vietnam via difficult jungle terrain, difficult jungle terrain, often underground and through neighbouring nations like Cambodia like Cambodia

Slide 18 the war definitely turned against the US in 1968, when the NVA’s General Giap began the Tet the war definitely turned against the US in 1968, when the NVA’s General Giap began the Tet Offensive, a surprise offensive on a major Vietnamese holiday that saw attacks all over the country, including in Saigon itself ongoing US casualties and losses saw an increase in antiwar sentiment on the American Home Front, ongoing US casualties and losses saw an increase in antiwar sentiment on the American Home Front, in large part because Vietnam was a TV War where American audiences saw the brutality of war firsthand

Slide 19 this included American atrocities at My Lai this included American atrocities at My Lai they also witnessed the usage of weapons like napalm and Agent Orange, which devastated the environment they also witnessed the usage of weapons like napalm and Agent Orange, which devastated the environment

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Slide 23 as the Counterculture gathered momentum (Hippies, Flower Children, etc.), protests became widespread and began to polarize the nation as the Counterculture gathered momentum (Hippies, Flower Children, etc.), protests became widespread and began to polarize the nation this was intensified after the Kent State Massacre this was intensified after the Kent State Massacre –National Guardsmen opened fire on student protestors in Ohio, killing four, and by Senator William Fulbright’s (Chairman of the Senate Armed Forces Committee) admission that the war was a “mess”

Slide 24 increasingly the American people came to perceive the “Credibility Gap”, i.e. they no longer increasingly the American people came to perceive the “Credibility Gap”, i.e. they no longer believed that LBJ was telling them the truth about events in the war  in 1968, LBJ chose not to run for president, and Republican Richard M. Nixon was elected on a platform of “Peace with Honour”

Slide 25 Nixon wanted the South Vietnamese to play a greater role in the war, a policy he labeled Vietnamization Nixon wanted the South Vietnamese to play a greater role in the war, a policy he labeled Vietnamization in spite of that, he continues carpet bombing Hanoi and orders a secret invasion of Cambodia in spite of that, he continues carpet bombing Hanoi and orders a secret invasion of Cambodia He relied on the diplomacy of Henry Kissinger to achieve peace and/or an American withdrawal He relied on the diplomacy of Henry Kissinger to achieve peace and/or an American withdrawal the US does manage to extricate itself by Jan. 27, 1973 the US does manage to extricate itself by Jan. 27, 1973

Slide 26 PHASE 3 – VIETNAMESE CIVIL WAR, the NVA easily defeated the South by 1975; the South had appealed to Nixon for aid, which had been promised, but by 1975 Nixon was embroiled in the domestic Watergate Crisis, and he was in essence a “lame duck” the NVA easily defeated the South by 1975; the South had appealed to Nixon for aid, which had been promised, but by 1975 Nixon was embroiled in the domestic Watergate Crisis, and he was in essence a “lame duck” 1975 – the US abandoned its embassy in Saigon, which was renamed 1975 – the US abandoned its embassy in Saigon, which was renamed Ho Chi Minh City in the newly unified and communist Vietnam

Slide 27 CANADA A popular strategy for dodging the draft was to immigrate to Canada. Records show A popular strategy for dodging the draft was to immigrate to Canada. Records show “draft dodgers” settled in Canada legally, but some experts believe that another lived on the run in Canada “draft dodgers” settled in Canada legally, but some experts believe that another lived on the run in Canada. Canada was not a neutral country they were clearly on the side of the Americans and the S. Vietnamese. Canada was not a neutral country they were clearly on the side of the Americans and the S. Vietnamese.

Slide 28 The government allowed the U.S. military to test “Agent Orange” at CFB Gagetown in New Brunswick and to practice carpet- bombing runs over Suffield, Alberta, and North Battleford, Saskatchewan. The government allowed the U.S. military to test “Agent Orange” at CFB Gagetown in New Brunswick and to practice carpet- bombing runs over Suffield, Alberta, and North Battleford, Saskatchewan. They sold billions of dollars worth of supplies to the Americans: $2.5 billion worth of war materials such as ammunition, napalm, aircraft shells, and explosives; and $10 billion worth of food, beverages, clothing, and other supplies. They sold billions of dollars worth of supplies to the Americans: $2.5 billion worth of war materials such as ammunition, napalm, aircraft shells, and explosives; and $10 billion worth of food, beverages, clothing, and other supplies. Canadians joined the U.S. Army (approx ) They faced little public support when they returned. The Canadian Legion did not admit Canadian Vietnam Vets until Canadians joined the U.S. Army (approx ) They faced little public support when they returned. The Canadian Legion did not admit Canadian Vietnam Vets until 1994.

Slide 29 Why did the USA lose? Didn’t have the support of the South Vietnamese peasants. Key issue—land reform. VC gave land to peasants. S. Vietnamese would not consider it. Didn’t have the support of the South Vietnamese peasants. Key issue—land reform. VC gave land to peasants. S. Vietnamese would not consider it. U.S. soldiers could not tell VC supporters apart from ordinary villagers U.S. soldiers could not tell VC supporters apart from ordinary villagers U.S. tactics did not work against Guerrilla Warfare. U.S. tactics did not work against Guerrilla Warfare. Communist forces much more committed to their cause. Communist forces much more committed to their cause.

Slide 30 STATISTICS Around 2.8 million Americans served in Vietnam. 2 million of them were drafted or conscripted. Around 2.8 million Americans served in Vietnam. 2 million of them were drafted or conscripted. Only 10% of the 2 million saw combat. Only 10% of the 2 million saw combat. In a typical 12 month Tour of Duty, the average GI stood a 2% chance of being killed and a 10% chance of getting seriously wounded. The casualty rate is much higher, though, if you consider only those who took part in actual combat. In a typical 12 month Tour of Duty, the average GI stood a 2% chance of being killed and a 10% chance of getting seriously wounded. The casualty rate is much higher, though, if you consider only those who took part in actual combat. Of those killed in combat, 43% died in the first three months of their tour of duty. Of those killed in combat, 43% died in the first three months of their tour of duty.

Slide 31 Only 6% of deaths took place among soldiers in their last three months. Only 6% of deaths took place among soldiers in their last three months. In total 58,000 were killed. In total 58,000 were killed. The average age was 19. The average age was 19. If you were white, wealthy, and well educated you stood a much better chance of not being drafted. If you were white, wealthy, and well educated you stood a much better chance of not being drafted. Those who had places at University could have their call-up delayed until after their degree. For this reason, blacks, Hispanics, and poor whites made up the majority of the infantry in Vietnam. Those who had places at University could have their call-up delayed until after their degree. For this reason, blacks, Hispanics, and poor whites made up the majority of the infantry in Vietnam.

Slide 32 Training The Americans were trained to see their enemy as less than human. Slang terms were an important part of this. (‘Gook’, ‘Dink’, ‘Zipperhead’, and ‘Slope’) The Americans were trained to see their enemy as less than human. Slang terms were an important part of this. (‘Gook’, ‘Dink’, ‘Zipperhead’, and ‘Slope’) ‘Cherries’: or replacements were poorly trained. ‘Cherries’: or replacements were poorly trained. 11% of deaths were caused by booby traps. 11% of deaths were caused by booby traps. ‘Fragging’ was the term used to describe the killing of an officer by his own men. 11% of officers killed in Vietnam were killed by their own troops. ‘Fragging’ was the term used to describe the killing of an officer by his own men. 11% of officers killed in Vietnam were killed by their own troops.

Slide 33 Drugs Drug taking reduced the effectiveness of the U.S. forces. Drug taking reduced the effectiveness of the U.S. forces. Marijuana was the most popular drug. Marijuana was the most popular drug. GI’s would smoke it in base camp and during R & R. GI’s would smoke it in base camp and during R & R. Cocaine, Heroin, and Amphetamines were also used. Cocaine, Heroin, and Amphetamines were also used. In 1971, 5,000 men were treated in hospital for combat wounds and 20, 000 for drug abuse. In 1971, 5,000 men were treated in hospital for combat wounds and 20, 000 for drug abuse.

Slide 34 Morale Drug use and fragging are indicative of the poor morale on the side of the Americans. Between 1966 and 1973 there were 503, 000 incidents of desertion in the American army in Vietnam. (It doesn’t mean that 503, 000 different soldiers deserted.) Drug use and fragging are indicative of the poor morale on the side of the Americans. Between 1966 and 1973 there were 503, 000 incidents of desertion in the American army in Vietnam. (It doesn’t mean that 503, 000 different soldiers deserted.) Racial tension between black and white troops occurred, Racial tension between black and white troops occurred,

Slide 35 Opposition Draft Card burning and failing to report to training were early forms of protest, both were criminal offenses. Draft Card burning and failing to report to training were early forms of protest, both were criminal offenses. By the end of 1969 there were ‘Draft Dodgers’ wanted by the police. By the end of 1969 there were ‘Draft Dodgers’ wanted by the police. Raiding Draft Board Offices and burning records were other forms of protest. Raiding Draft Board Offices and burning records were other forms of protest.

Slide 36 Martin Luther King’s movement against the war. Martin Luther King’s movement against the war. ‘Operation Phoenix’--a CIA operation to gather VC suspects. Basically assassination and torture squads. ‘Operation Phoenix’--a CIA operation to gather VC suspects. Basically assassination and torture squads. ‘Pentagon Papers’—revealed lies the American government told the people. ‘Pentagon Papers’—revealed lies the American government told the people.

Slide 37 The Vietnam Syndrome Vets treated as criminals. Vets treated as criminals. Medical treatment for wounded and disabled poor Medical treatment for wounded and disabled poor Found it difficult to get jobs or to get their own jobs back Found it difficult to get jobs or to get their own jobs back More Vets committed suicide than were killed in the war itself More Vets committed suicide than were killed in the war itself Post-traumatic stress disorder—depression, panic and rage attacks were features of the disorder. Followed by divorce, drug addiction, alcoholism, and suicide. Post-traumatic stress disorder—depression, panic and rage attacks were features of the disorder. Followed by divorce, drug addiction, alcoholism, and suicide.

Slide 38 Rallying For Change Peace activists carried sign “End Canadian Complicity” Peace activists carried sign “End Canadian Complicity” John Lennon and Yoko Ono staged a ‘bed-in’ for peace in Montreal. John Lennon and Yoko Ono staged a ‘bed-in’ for peace in Montreal. African-Canadians became more willing to speak out against racial discrimination. In 1969 there was a protest at Concordia University. It destroyed the University computer system. The Canadian government gave $ to less militant black organizations African-Canadians became more willing to speak out against racial discrimination. In 1969 there was a protest at Concordia University. It destroyed the University computer system. The Canadian government gave $ to less militant black organizations In 1971, to foster multiculturalism, the Trudeau government looked into ways to resolve cultural differences. In 1971, to foster multiculturalism, the Trudeau government looked into ways to resolve cultural differences.

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Slide 40 The Soldiers on both sides of the war.

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Slide 43 MY FAVOURITE MOVIES ABOUT THE VIETNAM WAR

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