The Vietnam War

A. Background The French had made Vietnam a colony in the late 1800's. Ho Chi Minh led revolts in Vietnam as the leader of the Communist Party. War broke out when Communists asked for freedom from the French after WWII.

The Vietnam War A. Background Americans supported the French with money to stop the domino theory (spread of communism from one country to another). In 1954, the French stronghold, Dien Bien Phu, fell to the Vietnamese.

The Vietnam War A. Background Vietnam was divided into N & S by the Geneva Accords. Ngo Dinh Diem seized power in South and angered many citizens. The Vietcong were guerrillas in S. Vietnam against Diem. People in the countryside supported them.

The Vietnam War A. Background Diem further lost support by cracking down on anyone and anything that spoke out against his leadership.

The Vietnam War A. Background Two U.S. ships operating off the coast of N. Vietnam were attacked and President Johnson elevated the war and asked Congress for the right to continue. The Tonkin Gulf Resolution gave the president of the United States the right to take whatever means necessary to prevent further aggression. Basically, this document allowed the president to make war without declaring war.

The Vietnam War B. American Involvement 1. Tactics-Bombing raids, search & destroy missions, & use of defoliants. US used napalm and agent orange to gain an advantage in the jungle Our soldiers were constantly on the search for “Charlie” The B-52 bomber

The Vietnam War B. American Involvement 2. Results-Anti-war movement was strong. Media fueled it with pictures from the war.

The Vietnam War B. American Involvement Kent State Shootings-May 4, Students were killed and 9 others wounded when the Ohio National Guard fired on a crowd of protesters.

The Vietnam War C. Changes in Tet Offensive-January Vietcong led surprise attacks on major cities in Vietnam. 2. Robert McNamara-Secretary of Defense resigned because he could no longer support the war. 3. Johnson decides not to run again in 1968 after he loses so much support.

The Vietnam War D. Withdrawal-Richard Nixon became president in 1968 and committed to getting out of Vietnam. Nixon began withdrawal but still wanted North Vietnam to recognize the government of South Vietnam. In 1970, Nixon orders an invasion of Cambodia to cut off Vietcong and N. Vietnamese supply lines. Created huge protests in America that led to violence.

The Vietnam War D. Withdrawal January, 1973-U.S. & N. Vietnam signed a cease- fire after Henry Kissinger negotiated with N. Vietnam. After the American withdrawal, N. Vietnam conquered the South and in April, they captured Saigon, reunifying the country under Communist rule.

The Vietnam War E. Results 1. Vietnam Vets were not considered heroes and many suffered delayed stress syndrome. Over 58,000 soldiers died in Vietnam. 2. War Powers Act-1973-passed to limit war- making powers of the president. 3. Vietnamese refugees poured into America.