The Vietnam “War”

The Domino Theory If one country falls to communism, it will eventually cause another to fall. As the momentum (and strength) increases, more countries will fall. If one country falls to communism, it will eventually cause another to fall. As the momentum (and strength) increases, more countries will fall.

Did “containment” work? Korea? Korea? Vietnam Vietnam What other policy besides containment justified American involvement in Korea and Vietnam? What other policy besides containment justified American involvement in Korea and Vietnam?

Common Denominators Just like in Korea: Just like in Korea: North is communist North is communist South is democratic South is democratic Desire to unify the country Desire to unify the country North invades the south hoping to unite the nation under communism North invades the south hoping to unite the nation under communism America wants to prevent the spread of communism and assists the south to repel communist forces. America wants to prevent the spread of communism and assists the south to repel communist forces.

History Vietnam was a French colony Vietnam was a French colony Formed Republic of Vietnam – Bao Dai was leader Formed Republic of Vietnam – Bao Dai was leader French defeated in May 1954 – (received U.S. aid) French defeated in May 1954 – (received U.S. aid) Geneva Accords - July 1954 Geneva Accords - July 1954 Separated North and South Vietnam along 17 th parallel Separated North and South Vietnam along 17 th parallel Elections to be held in 1956 to reunify the country Elections to be held in 1956 to reunify the country South Vietnam refused claiming the North would not hold fair elections, and the country remained divided. South Vietnam refused claiming the North would not hold fair elections, and the country remained divided.

The Players Ho Chi Minh – Leader of Vietminh, communist North Ho Chi Minh – Leader of Vietminh, communist North Ngo Dinh Diem – Leader of democratic South Ngo Dinh Diem – Leader of democratic South Eisenhower pledges support to South – sends advisors Eisenhower pledges support to South – sends advisors By 1963 ( JFK ), 16,000 U.S. advisors were in the South By 1963 ( JFK ), 16,000 U.S. advisors were in the South Johnson escalates war, Nixon ends it Johnson escalates war, Nixon ends it

Fall of Diem Imprisoned his critics Imprisoned his critics U.S. aid meant for people went to military and corrupt officials U.S. aid meant for people went to military and corrupt officials Moved peasants into “strategic hamlets” Moved peasants into “strategic hamlets” Catholic in a largely Buddhist country – insisted Buddhists obey Catholic laws  Monk burning in Saigon Catholic in a largely Buddhist country – insisted Buddhists obey Catholic laws  Monk burning in Saigon Military coup in Nov 1963 (with U.S. support)  Diem is executed as he tries to flee Military coup in Nov 1963 (with U.S. support)  Diem is executed as he tries to flee

Another Change in Leadership Just 3 weeks later, JFK is assassinated in Texas. Just 3 weeks later, JFK is assassinated in Texas. V.P. Lyndon Johnson takes over, supporting containment: V.P. Lyndon Johnson takes over, supporting containment: “…You see, the Communists want to rule the world, and if we don’t stand up to them, they will do it. And we’ll be slaves. Now, I’m not one of those folks seeing Communists under every bed. But I do know about the principles of power, and when one side is weak, the other steps in.”

Communism Advances Communist guerrillas in the South “ Vietcong” are making gains – land and minds of the people Communist guerrillas in the South “ Vietcong” are making gains – land and minds of the people Aided by Vietminh in the North Aided by Vietminh in the North “Not Another China!!” “Not Another China!!”

Gulf of Tonkin Johnson announces that North Vietnamese torpedo boats have attacked U.S. destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin. Johnson announces that North Vietnamese torpedo boats have attacked U.S. destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin. Some wondered if it really happened Some wondered if it really happened Johnson asks Congress for authorization to act Johnson asks Congress for authorization to act Congress (almost unanimously) passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution allowing the President to, “ take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression. ” Congress (almost unanimously) passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution allowing the President to, “ take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression. ”

U.S. at War Draft, 3 million served – economic inequality Draft, 3 million served – economic inequality Horrible conditions – weather, style of fighting, poor leadership, morale, UE’s Horrible conditions – weather, style of fighting, poor leadership, morale, UE’s Despite superiority of U.S. weaponry, they’re losing ground Despite superiority of U.S. weaponry, they’re losing ground Weaponry: napalm, incendiary bombs, land mines, tunnels Weaponry: napalm, incendiary bombs, land mines, tunnels Agent Orange – used to kill foliage, also killed crops and caused health problems in livestock and humans. Agent Orange – used to kill foliage, also killed crops and caused health problems in livestock and humans.

Notable Moments Tet Offensive Tet Offensive Surprise attack on the Vietnamese New Year Holiday “Tet” Surprise attack on the Vietnamese New Year Holiday “Tet” Attacked 27 U.S. military installations Attacked 27 U.S. military installations U.S. “won” in a few days U.S. “won” in a few days 30,000 enemy kills, 3,000 U.S. and S. Vietnamese killed 30,000 enemy kills, 3,000 U.S. and S. Vietnamese killed Killed morale and worsened public opinion (media) Killed morale and worsened public opinion (media) Executed civilians including teachers & doctors Executed civilians including teachers & doctors My Lai Massacre My Lai Massacre Frustrated U.S. troops kill over 500 civilians in My Lai Frustrated U.S. troops kill over 500 civilians in My Lai

Response at Home Hawks vs. Doves Hawks vs. Doves Youth Rebellion – baby boom  widening generation gap Youth Rebellion – baby boom  widening generation gap SDS – student protests, teach-ins, burning draft cards, fleeing the country SDS – student protests, teach-ins, burning draft cards, fleeing the country Woodstock and the counterculture movement Woodstock and the counterculture movement CIA & FBI investigate and arrest activists CIA & FBI investigate and arrest activists Kent State – 4 students killed Kent State – 4 students killed The “Silent Majority” and the “Hard Hat Riot” The “Silent Majority” and the “Hard Hat Riot”

Nixon Has a “secret plan” to end the war Has a “secret plan” to end the war Vietnamization – leave war to the South Vietnamese Vietnamization – leave war to the South Vietnamese Cut of Ho Chi Minh Trail Cut of Ho Chi Minh Trail Destabilized Laos and Cambodia  genocide Destabilized Laos and Cambodia  genocide Troops were phased out but bombings intensified Troops were phased out but bombings intensified Peace finally in Nixon’s second term Peace finally in Nixon’s second term

Peace: Sorta. The peace agreement called for: The peace agreement called for: 1.The U.S. to withdraw their troops within 60 days 2.All prisoners of war would be released 3.All parties to the agreement would end military activity in Laos and Cambodia 4.The 17 th parallel would continue to divide North and South until the country could be reunited

The End. Fighting continues between the North and South for 2 years Fighting continues between the North and South for 2 years April 29, 1975 last U.S. personnel evacuated April 29, 1975 last U.S. personnel evacuated

Results Laos and Cambodia fall to communism Laos and Cambodia fall to communism War Powers Act – limit President’s ability to send troops to 60 days. Congressional authorization required thereafter. War Powers Act – limit President’s ability to send troops to 60 days. Congressional authorization required thereafter. Ego check from losing, 58K killed, 300K wounded Ego check from losing, 58K killed, 300K wounded Faith in government questioned Faith in government questioned