Vietnam Mr. Koch US History B Forest Lake High School

Background Passionate nationalism History of resisting China –Colonized by France in 1800s After WWII, Ho Chi Minh led independence movement against France –French lose in 1954

Geneva Conference Countries of Indochina (SE Asia), US, Soviet Union, France, & Britain met to decide fate of Indochina July 1954 – Vietnam divided –N. Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh (Communist) –S. Vietnam: Ngo Dinh Diem (Republic) – US supported Supposed to have elections to unify in 1956 –US and S. Vietnam refuse

Diem Unpopular in own country –Imprisoned critics, appointed corrupt family members, misused US aid, relocated peasants, pushed Catholicism upon Buddhist population US encouraged an overthrow –Diem assassinated –Military government takes over

Viet Cong Communist guerrillas in S. Vietnam - aided by N. Vietnam –Had support of many in S. Vietnam – hard to identify –Skilled at jungle warfare –Could cross border of Cambodia/Laos –Used Ho Chi Minh trail to get supplies

Presidential Actions JFK: sent aid & military advisors Increased from 675 to 16,000 Johnson: didn’t want to lose South, but said wouldn’t send troops –Aug 1964 – US destroyer torpedoed by N Vietnam –Or was it???? –Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Congress gave President authority to do whatever necessary

1965 – begin rapid build-up of military, war escalates –Start of 1965: 25,000 –End of 1965: 184,000 –End of 1968: 536,000

Tet Offensive Jan 30 (Vietnamese New Year) –Surprise attack by N. Vietnam & Viet Cong –Viet Cong turned back, but psychological victory –Many Americans have reservations after seeing TV images

Battlefield Conditions Hot, tall grass, wet, 60lb. packs, leeches, fever, jungle rot, booby traps –Little support from local population for US

Effects on Civilians Unsure who was Viet Cong, so civilians suffered heavy losses –B-52 saturation bombing –Agent Orange (chemical – herbicide) –Napalm – jelly that burned uncontrollably

My Lai Massacre March 1968 Word that village sheltering 250 Viet Cong Led by Lt. William Calley, kill between women, children, old men –US helicopter crew (Hugh Thompson) stepped in to stop killings When story gets out, Americans outraged