US Involvement and Escalation Section 30*2 pp

LBJ Increased US Involvement LBJ sends troops to Vietnam in 1965 Gen. Westmoreland asks for more troops – S. Vietnamese army was weak and corrupt – 1967: 500,000 troops in Vietnam

Fighting in the Jungle An Elusive Enemy – Vietcong guerilla tactics – Elaborate tunnels – Booby-trapped terrain – Jungle conditions

Fighting in the Jungle War of Attrition – Goal: Wear out the enemy – Vietcong remained determined Aided by USSR and China Fighting to preserve way of life

Fighting in the Jungle Peasants Don’t Support U.S. – Napalm – Agent Orange – Search-and-destroy missions

Fighting in the Jungle Sinking Morale – Frustrated by Guerilla warfare Jungle conditions Stalemate – Began to self-medicate

The Early War at Home The Great Society Suffers – War costs led to inflation and tax increase – $6b reduction in Great Society programs Living-Room War – Daily reports of events and body count – LBJ’s credibility questioned

A Nation Divided Section 30*3 pp

The Working Class War The Draft – Most Vietnam soldiers were drafted – Many tried to manipulate the system Medical Excuses Joined Coast Guard or National Guard College Deferment – 80% of soldiers from lower economic class

The Working Class War African Americans in Vietnam – Disproportionately used as ground troops – MLK: “Cruel Irony” – Racism presents challenge in platoons

The Roots of Opposition The New Left – Growing youth movement of 1960’s – Called for changes in American society – Students for a Democratic Society – Free Speech Movement

Protest Movement Emerges Doves Oppose the War – Change in college deferments causes SDS to call for civil disobedience – Criticisms of War It was a civil war It drained US strength It was immoral

Protest Movement Emerges From Protest to Resistance – 200,000 draft violations during war 4,000 imprisoned 10,000 flee to Canada

Protest Movement Emerges War Divides the Nation – In 1967, a majority of Americans remained committed to the war – 70% thought protests were disloyal

Protest Movement Emerges LBJ Remains Determined – Continued policy of slow escalation