Vietnam Conflict Colonial History of Vietnam fitting into the Cold War Era

Influence of WWII  French had colonized “Indochina” for hundreds of years, but post WWI Ho Chi Minh pushed for independence.  During WWII Japan kicked out the French, and the Vietnamese sided with Americans to fight against Japan.  French had colonized “Indochina” for hundreds of years, but post WWI Ho Chi Minh pushed for independence.  During WWII Japan kicked out the French, and the Vietnamese sided with Americans to fight against Japan.

French are back?  After WWII the French wanted to re-colonize, and US supported it to keep France as an ally.

Indochina War  Vietnamese forces fought against the French for independence and won in  Vietminh - insurgent force who later became the Vietcong  Led by Ho Chi Minh - Communist leader.  Vietnamese forces fought against the French for independence and won in  Vietminh - insurgent force who later became the Vietcong  Led by Ho Chi Minh - Communist leader.

Dien Bien Phu

Vietnam Independence  The U.S. stepped in to mediate peace and split the country into 2.

North Vietnam  Communist government led by Ho Chi Minh

South Vietnam  Non-communist government led by Ngo Dinh Diem  Dictatorship?  Non-communist government led by Ngo Dinh Diem  Dictatorship?

Elections  Elections were promised by 1956 to reunite the country… but they never happened.  Was it because popular vote would have probably gone to Ho Chi Minh and the Communist Party?  Elections were promised by 1956 to reunite the country… but they never happened.  Was it because popular vote would have probably gone to Ho Chi Minh and the Communist Party?

Domino Theory  If the U.S. allows one country to become Communist, then it will lead to others becoming Communist.

What was wrong with S. Vietnam?  U.S. helped Ngo Dinh Diem to power in S. Vietnam – except he was an aristocrat who didn ’ t really connect to the people. Also, most of the money the U.S. gave to the S. Vietnam govt. didn ’ t go to the people  He also rigged elections and there were many protests against him … so he was overthrown.  U.S. helped Ngo Dinh Diem to power in S. Vietnam – except he was an aristocrat who didn ’ t really connect to the people. Also, most of the money the U.S. gave to the S. Vietnam govt. didn ’ t go to the people  He also rigged elections and there were many protests against him … so he was overthrown.

So how did the U.S. get invovled?  Starting in the early 1960s the U.S. sent “advisers” to assist S. Vietnam - ARVN  When Lyndon Johnson became president in 1963 he proclaimed: “I will not let Vietnam go the way China did.”  Starting in the early 1960s the U.S. sent “advisers” to assist S. Vietnam - ARVN  When Lyndon Johnson became president in 1963 he proclaimed: “I will not let Vietnam go the way China did.”

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution  In response to an alleged attack on U.S. ships by N. Vietnamese ships (debatable whether it happened or not); Johnson asked Congress for authority to do whatever was necessary to stop armed attacks against the U.S.

What did it mean?  It was not a specific declaration of war, but it did give the president the authority to make war.  Similar to the Congressional Authorization to the War in Iraq  It was not a specific declaration of war, but it did give the president the authority to make war.  Similar to the Congressional Authorization to the War in Iraq

Operation Rolling Thunder and Escalation  Going into the war the US did not want major conflict, but losses to the VC in ‘64 led to escalation.  Rolling Thunder - bombing campaign for 4 years on N. Vietnam.  Open-ended commitment for troops - up to 500,000 soldiers by ‘68. - to keep up US credibility?

Soldiers in Vietnam  Largely a young person’s war, and driven by the draft (which initially excluded college students).  Meant that a higher %age of poorer less educated people were drafted.  Largely a young person’s war, and driven by the draft (which initially excluded college students).  Meant that a higher %age of poorer less educated people were drafted.

War of Attrition  Point was to be a War of Attrition – force the other side to lose so many soldiers through fighting that they would eventually have to give up their hope of making South Vietnam communist.  Body Count strategy.  Ia Drang Valley - casualty ratio of 11:1 in favor of the U.S. - We Were Soldiers

Criticism of the War  War protest became tied to student, hippie, and civil rights movements.  Even some in the US govt. questioned the reasoning of the war - Kennan, McNamara.  War protest became tied to student, hippie, and civil rights movements.  Even some in the US govt. questioned the reasoning of the war - Kennan, McNamara.

Fighting in Vietnam

1968 Tet Offensive  Organized attack by NVA and VC all across S. Vietnam.  Eventually SV and US forces recaptured most ground that was lost.

Media Impact  In the US people began to seriously question the war effort.  After 4 years of being told the war was going well, how could Tet happen?  In the US people began to seriously question the war effort.  After 4 years of being told the war was going well, how could Tet happen?

Nixon and Cambodia  Nixon elected in 1968 vowing to end the war - but did not follow through.  Vietnamization - build S. Vietnamese forces to replace the US.  Began peace talks and withdrew US soldiers.  But also increased bombing of N. Vietnam and Cambodia.

Failures of Insurgency  My Lai Massacre  Kent State and Jackson State protests  “Fragging”  Pentagon Papers

Cease-fire Agreement  Operation Linebacker , bombing campaign in response to NVA offensive.  Cease-fire NVA could remain in S. Vietnam, but also had to recognize the S. Vietnam govt.  But what if they don’t follow it?

Pull-out from Saigon

Lessons of Vietnam  “Empire Shock” - US power around the world was limited?  How to fight an effective counter- insurgency?  Americans unwilling to go for future military conflicts?  Checks and balances system?  “Empire Shock” - US power around the world was limited?  How to fight an effective counter- insurgency?  Americans unwilling to go for future military conflicts?  Checks and balances system?