The Vietnam War Years EQ: Why did the U.S. decide to fight a war in Vietnam, and why was the U.S. unable to achieve their goals?

Bay of Pigs _________________________ _________________________ Proximity of Cuba worried Americans. Kennedy approved CIA operation to remove Castro from power. _________________________ _________________________ Kennedy faced criticism for the disastrous invasion. Military Confrontations The Berlin Wall Many East Germans fled to democratic West Germany. Soviets demanded that the border be closed and threatened war. ________________________ ________________________ ________________________

The Cuban Missile Crisis ____________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ If launched, missiles could reach American cities in minutes. __________________________________________________________ U.S. Navy formed a blockade around Cuba to prevent Soviet ships from bringing more weapons. Soviet ships turned back, ending the Cuban missile crisis. Effects Soviets later agreed to remove missiles from Cuba. Kennedy promised not to invade Cuba and to remove some missiles in Turkey and Italy. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________.

Conflict in Vietnam ____________________________________ ____________________________________ July 1954, French and Vietnamese leaders agreed to Geneva Accords. _____________________________________ _____________________________________ Called for democratic elections in July 1956 to unite the two countries under one government

North Vietnam Communist state led by Ho Chi Minh Funded and supplied Communist guerilla forces, called the Vietcong, for South Vietnams NLF North and South Vietnam South Vietnam Western-style government, supported by United States Poor leadership resulted in many problems. Growing numbers of South Vietnamese began to support Ho Chi Minh.

U.S. Involvement ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________

Challenges of War __________________________________________________________________ Used their knowledge of region and guerilla warfare tactics Continual supply of troops at the ready Received weapons and supplies from Soviet Union and Communist China __________________________________________________________________ Vietcong killed people they believed were cooperating with the South Vietnamese government. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

Soldiers in Vietnam American troops faced harsh conditions. ____________________________________________________ Never knew when they might encounter enemy fire Danger of land mines and booby traps ___________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Average age was ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

Opinions about the Vietnam War divided American society in the 1960s. ______________________________________________________ College students often took the lead in organizing antiwar protests. One active group was Students for a Democratic Society. ________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Some Americans held demonstrations in support of the war. _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Emphasized individual freedom, nonviolence, and communal sharing Expressed rejection of traditional society by growing long hair and wearing unusual clothes

The End of Vietnam On January 27, 1973, the United States signed a cease-fire called the Paris Peace Accords. _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ United States agreed to withdrawal of all troops. _____________________________________ _____________________________________

Southeast Asia 250,000 South Vietnamese soldiers died in the war. 1 million North Vietnamese and Vietcong solders were killed. An estimated 2 million civilians killed North Vietnamese and Communist leaders created the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Communist dictators took over Laos and Cambodia. Impact of Vietnam War United States Some 58,000 Americans were killed in the war. More than 300,000 Americans were wounded. Returning American soldiers were not always welcomed home and many suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. War Powers Act passed in 1973, requiring president to get Congressional approval before committing U.S. troops to armed struggle