U.S. Involvement in Vietnam Into the “Quagmire ” “ North Vietnam cannot defeat or humiliate the United States. Only Americans can do that.” Richard Nixon---November 3, 1969

The Vietnam conflict grew directly from the ideas, values, and policies of the Cold War I. Background A. An occupied country B. French mid 19 th century C. WWII D. Sept 1945 Ho Chi Minh declares Vietnam a free country E. French return Ho Chi Minh

II. American Involvement A. Early financial support 1. Yalta agreement 2. Southeast Asia strategically important U.S. spent $2.6 billion “saving Vietnam” B. Political Reasons 1. Domino Theory 2. Truman Doctrine 3. Containment Policy 4. Representation on a global scale 5. U.S. parental role

III. French Collapse A. Dien Bien Phu (1954) 1. Last stand for French 2. overwhelming defeat 3. DMZ set up 4. Vietnam split at 17 th parallel a. Geneva Accords

The French fall at Dien Bien Phu May 7, 1954

VI. U.S. Direct Involvement A. Eisenhower –April 1954 B. Geneva Accords C. Vietnam as “cornerstone” of the Free World in Southeast Asia D. Installed Ngo Dingh Diem, pres of South Vietnam E. Kennedy 1. America’s creditability 2. Troop Commitment 3. Tactics

F. Johnson 1. LBJ on Vietnam 2. LBJ’s shortcomings 3. Opinion Polls G. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution 1. Attack on U.S. ships 2. Congress passes resolution U.S.S Maddox “under attack” H. Johnson defeats Goldwater 1. Goldwater scares the public

I. Active Engagement 1. Troop buildups 2. Bombing J. Strategy 1. Political a. Pacification -hearts and minds -promote political, social and economic well-being of South Vietnamese while continuing military processes

K. Military Strategy 1. Pacification a. “purification” of Political system b. Phoenix Program 2. Bombing Strategy 3. Search and Destroy 4. Escalation and Growing Skepticism a. selective service (draft)

L. Effects on Soldiers 1. Average age of soldiers Educated 3. Policies were forced 4. Guerilla tactics 5. Many broke under strain 6. My Lai Massacre

M. Political Dissenters 1. Dangerous position in Johnson’s administration a. Under Sec. of State George Ball, b. Pres. Press Sec. Bill Moyers c. VP Humphrey b. McNamara 2. Casualties

N. The Tet Offensive [1968] 1. Lunar New Year 2. Attack throughout South 3. 5 major cites, 26 provinces 4. *A military defeat for Vietcong but a political victory 5. Impact on media a. Vietnam first media war

The Tet Offensive-Saigon-1968

O. Military Consequences 1. more troops P. Political Consequences 1. before and after Tet 2. LBJ did not seek the nomination a. Robert Kennedy Q. Tet marked the turning point in the war 1. criticism grew

America’s Media War

I. Nixon-Peace with Honor A. Kennedy killed June, 68’ B. Martin Luther King April 68’ C. Nixon wins election II. Vietnamization ( ) A. Purpose B. Ho Chi Minh dies 1969 C. Cambodia D. Kent State and Berkeley

The Woodstock Music and Arts Festival August, 1969 Estimated attendance 300,000

E. Pentagon Papers [June 1970] 1. Daniel Ellsberg F. Easter Offensive [1972] G. Paris Peace Talks [1972] H. Christmas Bombings [1972] I a. Watergate Scandal begins b. Nixon resigns c. Saigon Falls April 30, 1975

Saigon Evacuation

III A. Pham Van Dong heads Socialist Republic of Vietnam B. Jimmy Carter elected President C. Vietnam invades Cambodia 1. Pol Pot- killing fields D. Boat people E. China invades North Vietnam F. Ronald Reagan elected President [1980]

IV A dedication of the Vietnam Wall B. Vietnamese defeat Khmer Rouge Rebels

V A. George H. W. Bush elected President B. Vietnamese troops leave Cambodia VI A. Bill Clinton elected President B. Washington restores diplomatic relations with Hanoi and lifts trade embargo C. McNamara

VI. Casualties A. 58,209 US Deaths B. 2,338 MIA C. 8 nurses-1 KIA D. * Marines lost more in Vietnam than all of WWII E. Vietnamese best estimate 4 million casualties The Wall Washington, D.C.

VII. Lessons Learned (if any) A. Ho’s prediction B. Khrushchev’s prediction C. DeGaulle D. U.S. Leaders 1. presidential failure E. Pentagon Papers F. American Hubris G. bombing lapses H. we did not understand our foe I. *All subsequent wars will be compared to Vietnam J. Returning Vets K. *Cynicism of Government