Power Presentations CHAPTER 30

Image America in the World You are a young person in Your country is at war to stop Communists from taking over South Vietnam. College students have organized huge protests against the war and the draft. Many people think such protests are unpatriotic and an insult to the soldiers who are fighting. Would you support the war?

Should the United States try to stop the spread of communism in Vietnam? Why are so many people against the war? Is it unpatriotic to criticize the government?

To World 1973 U.S. involvement in war ends Nixon orders invasion of Cambodia. Four students are killed during an antiwar protest at Kent State University President Nixon begins troop withdrawals from Vietnam Richard M. Nixon is elected president First U.S. ground troops go to Vietnam Johnson is reelected president. Tonkin Gulf Resolution is passed Lyndon B. Johnson becomes president after Kennedy’s assassination. Image 1960 John F. Kennedy is elected president United States gives economic aid to South Vietnam.

Back to Home Back to U.S South Vietnam surrenders to Communists Viet Cong launch Tet offensive. Soviets invade Czechoslavakia to stop reforms Communist leader Mao Zedong begins Cultural Revolution in China Soviet Union places nuclear missiles in Cuba National Liberation Front (Viet Cong) organizes in South Vietnam Vietnam is divided into North and South.

Main Idea Why It Matters Now The United States entered the Vietnam War to stop the spread of Communism. The United States still becomes involved in foreign struggles for political reasons.

Indochinese Communist Party forms Japan takes over Indochina Vietnam declares independence Viet Minh and France at war U.S. offers military aid to France France surrenders, Vietnam divides Viet Cong organizes Diem overthrown What important events shaped relations between the United States and Vietnam? Map

What were Ho Chi Minh’s goals for Vietnam? How did the Cold War affect American decisions regarding Vietnam? What level of involvement did the Truman, Eisenhower, and Kennedy administrations have in Vietnam?

Back to Home Evaluating How did U.S. support of the Diem government involve a conflict of values? Think About American beliefs in democracy and individual rights the actions of the Diem government

Main Idea Why It Matters Now America sent ground troops to Vietnam expecting victory, but soldiers soon grew frustrated. The Vietnam War taught Americans that superior military strength does not always ensure victory.

How did the Vietnam War affect Vietnamese villagers and U.S. soldiers? Image VillagersU.S. Soldiers harmed by chemicals that destroyed landscape and food supplies frustrated by limits on their attacks and by Viet Cong dedication vulnerable to surprise attacks and booby traps left homeless demoralized by difficult physical conditions killed by soldiers

How did President Johnson escalate U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War? What made fighting the war so frustrating for American soldiers? How was the Tet offensive a turning point in the war? Map

Back to Home Analyzing Points of View Were the Viet Cong right to see the Americans “merely as successors to the French”? Think About the goals of the French in Vietnam the goals of the Americans in Vietnam the actions of the French and the Americans

Main Idea Why It Matters Now The Vietnam War divided Americans and had lasting effects in the United States and Southeast Asia. Lessons of the Vietnam War still influence the United States whenever it gets involved in a foreign conflict.

What groups were involved in the antiwar movement? Why did they protest the war? What did they do to show their beliefs? Image religious leaders civil rights leaders teachers and college students journalists it was a civil war it was immoral the costs were too high it took money away from social programs demonstrations draft card burnings speeches editorials GroupsReasons Events

Why did more and more Americans oppose the war after 1968? How did the Vietnam War end? In what major ways did the war affect Southeast Asia and the United States?

Back to Home Forming and Supporting Opinions What is your opinion of the way the United States ended its involvement in the Vietnam War? Think About what happened to South Vietnam what options the United States had

REVIEW QUESTIONS ANSWERS: READ AND TAKE NOTES

1 Why did the United States decide to support France in its fight against the Viet Minh? 2 What decisions about Vietnam were laid out in the 1954 Geneva Accords? 3 What Cold War crises made President Kennedy continue to aid Ngo Dinh Diem’s government in South Vietnam? 4 How was President Johnson’s Vietnam policy different than President Kennedy’s? 5 What kept U.S. troops from defeating the Viet Cong quickly?

6 How did American war tactics affect Vietnamese villagers? 7 How was the Tet offensive both a defeat and a victory for the Communists? 8 Why did many Americans protest against the war? 9 What policies did President Nixon pursue in Vietnam? 10 What long-term political effects did the Vietnam War have on the United States?

Back to Home REASONS FOR INVOLVEMENT IN VIETNAM REASONS AGAINST INVOLVEMENT IN VIETNAM French alliance: If the United States does not aid France, France may not aid in opposing the Soviets in Europe. Domino theory: If South Vietnam falls to communism, other Asian countries may fall as well. Nation-building: The United States can help South Vietnam establish a democratic government. U.S. interests: The war is a civil war that does not directly threaten the United States. Draft: The draft to select soldiers is unfair. Social programs: The war takes away money from social programs. Analyzing Points of View

Back to Home REASONS FOR INVOLVEMENT IN VIETNAM REASONS AGAINST INVOLVEMENT IN VIETNAM Cold War crises: The United States fears the growth of communist power. U.S. weaponry: Superior U.S. weaponry can easily defeat the Viet Cong. Vietnamese civilians: The war harms Vietnamese civilians. Domestic unrest: The war causes too much domestic unrest. Analyzing Points of View

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