The Vietnam Era 1954 – 1975

The Time Frame American society was changing. The era of 1954 – 1975 would bring unprecedented changes to American society politically, socially, and economically.

Cold War Challenges The Crisis in Cuba The Crisis in Cuba To review: 1. Failure of the Bay of Pigs 2. President Kennedy forces Soviet Union to remove missiles in October 1962

Cartoon depicting American – Russian relations during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The Peace Corps Created in 1961 to help stop poverty, disease, and communism. Created in 1961 to help stop poverty, disease, and communism. Volunteers lived among communities to give them practical help for their problems (i.e. growing food, sewage systems). Volunteers lived among communities to give them practical help for their problems (i.e. growing food, sewage systems). Problems in Africa which had been created with European centuries prior with colonialism. Problems in Africa which had been created with European centuries prior with colonialism.

The Pueblo Incident: in January 1968 North Korea seizes an American spy ship that was in international waters and holds it for a year. The Pueblo Incident: in January 1968 North Korea seizes an American spy ship that was in international waters and holds it for a year.

War in Vietnam Trouble in Southeast Asia: Soviets aided countries vying for national liberation. Trouble in Southeast Asia: Soviets aided countries vying for national liberation. 1. The “Secret” War in Laos: Kennedy and Khrushchev agree to ceasefire in Kennedy and Vietnam: divided into Communist North and Non – Communist in 1954.

Historical Occupation in Vietnam Vietnam was no stranger to foreign interference. Vietnam was no stranger to foreign interference. In the 19 th century France seized Vietnam as part of its empire. In the 19 th century France seized Vietnam as part of its empire. In WWII, Japan occupied Vietnam. In WWII, Japan occupied Vietnam. Following WWII France re – occupied Vietnam. Following WWII France re – occupied Vietnam. Communist leader Ho Chi Minh founds Communist movement in the country called the Viet Minh. Communist leader Ho Chi Minh founds Communist movement in the country called the Viet Minh.

Historical Occupation continued… China and the Soviet Union send military aid to the Viet Minh to fight against the French. China and the Soviet Union send military aid to the Viet Minh to fight against the French. In 1954, the Viet Minh successfully defeat the French occupation. In 1954, the Viet Minh successfully defeat the French occupation. In Geneva in 1954, Vietnam is partitioned into two zones (North and South Vietnam). In Geneva in 1954, Vietnam is partitioned into two zones (North and South Vietnam).

Vietnam Government Ho Chi Minh consolidates power in North Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh consolidates power in North Vietnam. In the South, an anti-Communist government is headed by Pres. Ngo Dinh Diem which is supported by the United States. In the South, an anti-Communist government is headed by Pres. Ngo Dinh Diem which is supported by the United States. Diem and Pres. Eisenhower oppose elections because of the fear that 80% of Viet citizens would vote for Communism and elect Ho Chi Minh. Diem and Pres. Eisenhower oppose elections because of the fear that 80% of Viet citizens would vote for Communism and elect Ho Chi Minh.

Kennedy Administration Stopping the spread of Communism takes precedence over democracy. Stopping the spread of Communism takes precedence over democracy. Diem is not perceived as a strong enough leader to defeat Minh – he does not have enough support from the people. Diem is not perceived as a strong enough leader to defeat Minh – he does not have enough support from the people. November 2, 1963: with encouragement from the CIA, South Vietnam generals kill Diem and take control of the Vietnamese government. November 2, 1963: with encouragement from the CIA, South Vietnam generals kill Diem and take control of the Vietnamese government.

Escalation Gulf of Tonkin (August 2, 1964): supposed torpedoing of US ships by North Vietnam. Congress gives President Johnson unaccountable power to wage war. Gulf of Tonkin (August 2, 1964): supposed torpedoing of US ships by North Vietnam. Congress gives President Johnson unaccountable power to wage war. A different kind of war: guerilla and terrorist warfare targets the stronger United States. A different kind of war: guerilla and terrorist warfare targets the stronger United States. Search and destroy: heavy bombardment of suspected Viet Cong positions, using napalm. Search and destroy: heavy bombardment of suspected Viet Cong positions, using napalm.

President Johnson Johnson was faced with limited choices: Johnson was faced with limited choices: 1. Admit defeat and pull out causing a domino effect in Southeast Asia 2. Limited support that would end in defeat 3. Actively attack North Vietnam with loss of American lives and high financial costs

Victims of Napalm: Justifiable Attacks? Kim Phuc

Resistance to Peace North Vietnam resists peace attempts, believing they could outlast over the 500, 000 American forces stationed in the country. North Vietnam resists peace attempts, believing they could outlast over the 500, 000 American forces stationed in the country.

The End in Sight? In 1967 American General Westmoreland said the end was in sight. In 1967 American General Westmoreland said the end was in sight. Viet Cong attacks turn the tide: Viet Cong attacks turn the tide: In March 1968 US bombing stops, but Peace Talks in Paris the same year fail. In March 1968 US bombing stops, but Peace Talks in Paris the same year fail.

Protest and Reaction On the home front, Americans did not support the Vietnam War (protests, riots, etc). Youth were violently against “the machine” of American government policy. On the home front, Americans did not support the Vietnam War (protests, riots, etc). Youth were violently against “the machine” of American government policy. The Turning Point: 1968 The Turning Point: 1968 Kennedy is assassinated and Pres. Johnson drops out of election race. President Nixon narrowly wins.

Protest and Reaction

Conservative backlash: lack of respect for order and government from wealthier children. Conservative backlash: lack of respect for order and government from wealthier children. Student protests: college campuses became the grounds for many protests. Why do you think this is? Student protests: college campuses became the grounds for many protests. Why do you think this is?

Government Secrecy Nixon wanted to end the war without losing or prolonging it because of limited support at home. Nixon wanted to end the war without losing or prolonging it because of limited support at home. The Pentagon Papers: four presidents had lied about US involvement in Vietnam. The Pentagon Papers: four presidents had lied about US involvement in Vietnam.

In 1973 Nixon announces Vietnamization: American troops replaced by South Vietnamese troops. In 1973 Nixon announces Vietnamization: American troops replaced by South Vietnamese troops. In 1974 North Viet attacks South Viet. In 1975, the war ends with the capture of Saigon. In 1974 North Viet attacks South Viet. In 1975, the war ends with the capture of Saigon.

Conclusion The United States theoretically loses the Vietnam war. The United States theoretically loses the Vietnam war. Why? Because they lost support on the home front. The legacy of Vietnam sets the stage for government mistrust and less American military involvement in the world. The legacy of Vietnam sets the stage for government mistrust and less American military involvement in the world.