War at Home and Abroad 29.2

Main Idea As the US sent increasing numbers of troops to defend South Vietnam, some Americans began to question the war.

The Air War First US method of attack is a series of bombing missions against strategic targets called Operation Rolling Thunder. Targeted roads, bases, and power plants. Trails that linked the North to Vietcong allies in the south were also targets.

The Air War To combat the thick jungle vegetation, Agent Orange This chemical killed nearly anything it touched and contaminated the water supplies. Napalm, a sprayable, flammable chemical was used to destroy farms and rout out enemies.

Effects of Agent Orange

Napalm

The Air War The US had hoped to break the will to fight of the North Vietnamese, instead they intensified it. More South Vietnamese also joined the ranks of the Vietcong. More support (weapons, technology) came from China and the USSR

The Air War Many supplies were being smuggled to the south through Cambodia and Laos This broadening of the war cost the US many supporters at home, and abroad.

The Ground War General William Westmoreland: in charge of ground forces. Great difficulty in fighting the guerrilla techniques of enemies Soldiers never truly knew who the enemy was

Troop Morale Troops became frustrated Always concerned about trust, booby traps! Difficult to measure success, every town taken would fall back into enemy hands once troops left

The Draft The need for troops forced the government to increase the draft. Many Americans answered the call and served proudly. Some considered this unfair. Violators either fled the US or spent time in jail.

Public Opinion TV crews were allowed to film combat operations (1 st war for TV) Reporters often criticized the military and government officials. The violence of war was brought from Asia all the way home to Americans living rooms Many AA, who were protesting for Civil Rights, resented the involvement of blacks in the war.

Antiwar Movement Grows Most of the protests began at colleges Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) organized actions across the nation. The opponents of Vietnam were many, but greatly outnumbered by supporters of the war. These supporters were usually working men and women who were not as vocal as the protesters.