Section 3: The Vietnam War Ends

As the war escalated, a lot of people in America were furious They felt the U.S. had no business involving itself in another country’s civil war. They felt the U.S. had no business involving itself in another country’s civil war. Others thought some of the things our soldiers were doing was just evil. Others thought some of the things our soldiers were doing was just evil. Others felt the cost to America was just too high (in deaths and injuries, costs of the war, conflicts about who went…) Others felt the cost to America was just too high (in deaths and injuries, costs of the war, conflicts about who went…)

The picture below was taken at Kent State University (in Ohio), during a protest where our soldiers opened fire on protesting college students.

Students were some of the biggest groups of protestors Most had friends who were in Vietnam Most had friends who were in Vietnam You could avoid the military by going to college – which meant there were a lot more soldiers who were drafted because they were poorer. You could avoid the military by going to college – which meant there were a lot more soldiers who were drafted because they were poorer. African Americans: 20% of the troops 20% of the troops 24% of combat deaths 24% of combat deaths But 11% of the American population. But 11% of the American population.

Martin Luther King said he saw the war as an enemy of the poor Those people who support war: hawks (10/11) Those people who support war: hawks (10/11) Those people who are against war: doves (12/13) Those people who are against war: doves (12/13)

The Peace Sign What does it mean? Gerald Holtom, a conscientious objector who had worked on a farm in Norfolk during the Second World War, explained that the symbol incorporated the semaphore letters N(uclear) and D(isarmament). What does it mean? Gerald Holtom, a conscientious objector who had worked on a farm in Norfolk during the Second World War, explained that the symbol incorporated the semaphore letters N(uclear) and D(isarmament). D N

The Tet Offensive made Americans doubt they could win the war And they had even more doubts when Walter Cronkite visited Vietnam and reported the U.S. was not winning the war (people really respected his opinion) And they had even more doubts when Walter Cronkite visited Vietnam and reported the U.S. was not winning the war (people really respected his opinion)

When it was time for a new president, the Democratic National Convention (17) was held in Chicago – and it was a catastrophe Thousands of anti-war riots (16) protestors and demonstrators. Thousands of anti-war riots (16) protestors and demonstrators. The Chicago police were brutal. The Chicago police were brutal. This was the same year MLK and Robert Kennedy had been assassinated, the Tet offensive had taken place, Walter Cronkite told the nation we wouldn’t win, etc… This was the same year MLK and Robert Kennedy had been assassinated, the Tet offensive had taken place, Walter Cronkite told the nation we wouldn’t win, etc… People were pretty worked up and especially with the Democrats. Richard Nixon (18) was elected president People were pretty worked up and especially with the Democrats. Richard Nixon (18) was elected president

Vietnam was also the first “television war” Every night the news showed film footage from Vietnam – very edited scenes. Every night the news showed film footage from Vietnam – very edited scenes. They rarely showed actual battles – they didn’t want to shock viewers. They rarely showed actual battles – they didn’t want to shock viewers. They never showed injured or dead soldiers (their families might see them) They never showed injured or dead soldiers (their families might see them)

In 1969 Nixon announced he’d gradually remove troops from Vietnam, so people were happy about that What people didn’t know was he already had begun secret bombing raids in Cambodia (24) (trying to stop them from helping supply the Viet Cong). What people didn’t know was he already had begun secret bombing raids in Cambodia (24) (trying to stop them from helping supply the Viet Cong). People later found out – which led to even more hatred and distrust of our government leaders People later found out – which led to even more hatred and distrust of our government leaders

On April 17th, 1975 the Khmer Rouge, a communist guerrilla group led by Pol Pot, took power in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. They forced all city dwellers into the countryside and to labor camps. During their rule, it is estimated that nearly 2 million Cambodians died by starvation, torture or execution. On April 17th, 1975 the Khmer Rouge, a communist guerrilla group led by Pol Pot, took power in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. They forced all city dwellers into the countryside and to labor camps. During their rule, it is estimated that nearly 2 million Cambodians died by starvation, torture or execution. The Khmer Rouge turned Cambodia to year zero. They banned all institutions, including stores, banks, hospitals, schools, religion, and the family. Everyone was forced to work hours a day, every day. Children were separated from their parents to work in mobile groups or as soldiers. People were fed one watery bowl of soup with a few grains of rice thrown in. Babies, children, adults and the elderly were killed everywhere. The Khmer Rouge killed people if they didn’t like them, if didn’t work hard enough, if they were educated, if they came from different ethnic groups, or if they showed sympathy when their family members were taken away to be killed. All were killed without reason. Everyone had to pledge total allegiance to Angka, the Khmer Rouge government. It was a campaign based on instilling constant fear and keeping their victims off balance. The Khmer Rouge turned Cambodia to year zero. They banned all institutions, including stores, banks, hospitals, schools, religion, and the family. Everyone was forced to work hours a day, every day. Children were separated from their parents to work in mobile groups or as soldiers. People were fed one watery bowl of soup with a few grains of rice thrown in. Babies, children, adults and the elderly were killed everywhere. The Khmer Rouge killed people if they didn’t like them, if didn’t work hard enough, if they were educated, if they came from different ethnic groups, or if they showed sympathy when their family members were taken away to be killed. All were killed without reason. Everyone had to pledge total allegiance to Angka, the Khmer Rouge government. It was a campaign based on instilling constant fear and keeping their victims off balance. After the Vietnamese invaded and liberated the Cambodian people from the Khmer Rouge, 600,000 Cambodians fled to Thai border camps. Ten million landmines were left in the ground, one for every person in Cambodia. The United Nations installed the largest peacekeeping mission in the world in Cambodia in 1991 to ensure free and fair elections after the withdrawal of the Vietnamese troops. Cambodia was turned upside down during the Khmer Rouge years and the country has the daunting task of healing physically, mentally and economically. After the Vietnamese invaded and liberated the Cambodian people from the Khmer Rouge, 600,000 Cambodians fled to Thai border camps. Ten million landmines were left in the ground, one for every person in Cambodia. The United Nations installed the largest peacekeeping mission in the world in Cambodia in 1991 to ensure free and fair elections after the withdrawal of the Vietnamese troops. Cambodia was turned upside down during the Khmer Rouge years and the country has the daunting task of healing physically, mentally and economically. “The Killing Fields” of Cambodia

Nixon was re-elected The U.S. and Vietnam signed a peace treaty. The U.S. and Vietnam signed a peace treaty. In the treaty, North Vietnam agreed to not invade South Vietnam. In the treaty, North Vietnam agreed to not invade South Vietnam. For the United States, the war was over. For the United States, the war was over. Two years later, North Vietnam invaded South Vietnam and that’s when the war ended. Two years later, North Vietnam invaded South Vietnam and that’s when the war ended.

As bad as the war was for Americans – it was worse for the Vietnamese More than 1.2 million deaths. More than 1.2 million deaths. Lasting damage to their land and environment (A.O.) Lasting damage to their land and environment (A.O.) Ruined their economy Ruined their economy

In America 58,000 dead soldiers. 58,000 dead soldiers. 300,000 wounded. 300,000 wounded. Nightmares and stress for returning soldiers. Nightmares and stress for returning soldiers. Many of these soldiers came home to an America that treated them pretty bad. Many of these soldiers came home to an America that treated them pretty bad.

But some good things did happen The voting age was lowered (anyone who could fight and possibly die should have the right to choose their President). The voting age was lowered (anyone who could fight and possibly die should have the right to choose their President). The draft was eliminated. The draft was eliminated. America is sometimes more careful in getting involved in overseas events? America is sometimes more careful in getting involved in overseas events? The president did have some limits put on his ability to go to war. The president did have some limits put on his ability to go to war. People keep a better eye on their politicians (they lie sometimes) People keep a better eye on their politicians (they lie sometimes) In 1973, Congress passed The War Powers Act (31), which limits the president’s war making powers In 1973, Congress passed The War Powers Act (31), which limits the president’s war making powers

Before you totally finish your packets and turn them in, please take time to look at pages Page 20 has a timeline of the Vietnam War Page 20 has a timeline of the Vietnam War Page 21 has some more on Vietnam and, “the Pentagon Papers.” Page 21 has some more on Vietnam and, “the Pentagon Papers.” Page 22 is about Woodstock. Page 22 is about Woodstock. Page 23 is about the 1968 Democratic National Convention (in Chicago). Page 23 is about the 1968 Democratic National Convention (in Chicago). Page 24 is some basic information about hippies. Page 24 is some basic information about hippies.