War in Vietnam

France attempted to regain control of Vietnam after WWII (1950s). France attempted to regain control of Vietnam after WWII (1950s). Ho Chi Minh – communist leader in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh – communist leader in Vietnam. –Supported by Soviet Union and China. Vietminh – wanted to win Vietnam’s independence from foreign rule. Vietminh – wanted to win Vietnam’s independence from foreign rule.

War in Vietnam

Domino theory – countries could fall to communism one after another like a row of dominoes. Domino theory – countries could fall to communism one after another like a row of dominoes. In the 1950s, U.S. sent economic aid ($1billion) to France. In the 1950s, U.S. sent economic aid ($1billion) to France.

War in Vietnam But... France surrendered in 1954 at Dien Bien Phu. But... France surrendered in 1954 at Dien Bien Phu. 17 th Parallel - divided North Vietnam (communist) and South Vietnam (anti- communist). 17 th Parallel - divided North Vietnam (communist) and South Vietnam (anti- communist).

War in Vietnam In the 1960s, Kennedy sent economic aid and “military advisers” to Vietnam. In the 1960s, Kennedy sent economic aid and “military advisers” to Vietnam. Vietcong – communist group in South Vietnam. Vietcong – communist group in South Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh Trail – moved North Vietnamese troops and supplies to the South. Ho Chi Minh Trail – moved North Vietnamese troops and supplies to the South.

War in Vietnam Kennedy was assassinated in Kennedy was assassinated in Johnson pushed the U.S. further into conflict in Vietnam. Johnson pushed the U.S. further into conflict in Vietnam. CONTAINMENT CONTAINMENT

War in Vietnam August 2, 1964 – North Vietnamese fired a torpedo at an American ship in the Gulf of Tonkin. August 2, 1964 – North Vietnamese fired a torpedo at an American ship in the Gulf of Tonkin. “All necessary measures... to prevent further aggression.” “All necessary measures... to prevent further aggression.” Tonkin Gulf Resolution – Congress did not declare war, but did grant Johnson broad military power. Tonkin Gulf Resolution – Congress did not declare war, but did grant Johnson broad military power.

War in Vietnam In 1965, Johnson began sending large numbers of American troops to Vietnam. In 1965, Johnson began sending large numbers of American troops to Vietnam. Robert McNamara – Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara – Secretary of Defense General William Westmoreland General William Westmoreland American commander in South Vietnam By 1967, nearly 500,000 American troops were in Vietnam. By 1967, nearly 500,000 American troops were in Vietnam.

War in Vietnam

Soldiers were frustrated fighting in the jungle terrain against enemy’s guerilla tactics. Soldiers were frustrated fighting in the jungle terrain against enemy’s guerilla tactics. Vietcong were disguised as average villagers and could attack at anytime. Vietcong were disguised as average villagers and could attack at anytime. Vietcong also used underground tunnels, traps, and land mines. Vietcong also used underground tunnels, traps, and land mines.

War in Vietnam Westmoreland sought to defeat Vietcong by destroying morale and wearing down their troops. Westmoreland sought to defeat Vietcong by destroying morale and wearing down their troops. High body count would cause Vietcong to surrender. High body count would cause Vietcong to surrender. NOT!!! NOT!!!

War in Vietnam Napalm – gasoline bomb to burn jungles. Napalm – gasoline bomb to burn jungles. Agent Orange – leaf-killing toxic chemical. Agent Orange – leaf-killing toxic chemical. VISIBILITY VISIBILITY

War in Vietnam American morale dropped!!! American morale dropped!!! Johnson raised taxes to pay for the war in Vietnam. Johnson raised taxes to pay for the war in Vietnam. GREAT SOCIETY... WHAT??? GREAT SOCIETY... WHAT???

War in Vietnam Vietnam was America’s first “living room war.” Vietnam was America’s first “living room war.” Credibility gap – public distrust of government’s statements about the war. Credibility gap – public distrust of government’s statements about the war. America was divided!!! America was divided!!!

A Nation Divided

War in Vietnam Draft Draft Could avoid the draft by going to college. Could avoid the draft by going to college. “Working-class war” “Working-class war” Some burnt draft cards at protests or fled to Canada!!! Some burnt draft cards at protests or fled to Canada!!!

War in Vietnam Young people became a powerful and vocal group of protesters!!! Young people became a powerful and vocal group of protesters!!! New Left – youth movement that called for changes in American society. New Left – youth movement that called for changes in American society. University of California at Berkeley University of California at Berkeley

War in Vietnam

How many roads must a man walk down Before you call him a man? Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove sail Before she sleeps in the sand? Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly Before they're forever banned? The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind, The answer is blowin' in the wind. How many times must a man look up Before he can see the sky? Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have Before he can hear people cry? Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows That too many people have died? The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind, The answer is blowin' in the wind. How many years can a mountain exist Before it's washed to the sea? Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist Before they're allowed to be free? Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head, Pretending he just doesn't see? The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind, The answer is blowin' in the wind. Blowin’ in the Wind Words and Music by Bob Dylan

War in Vietnam However, most Americans remained committed to Johnson and the war in Vietnam. However, most Americans remained committed to Johnson and the war in Vietnam. Until... Until

War in Vietnam Vietnamese New Year = Tet Vietnamese New Year = Tet U.S. and Vietnam called a truce!!! U.S. and Vietnam called a truce!!! Tet Offensive – Vietcong launched a surprise attack on more than 100 towns in and U.S. air bases in South Vietnam. Tet Offensive – Vietcong launched a surprise attack on more than 100 towns in and U.S. air bases in South Vietnam.

War in Vietnam MILITARY = VICTORY MILITARY = VICTORY POLITICAL = LOSS POLITICAL = LOSS Americans were being told the U.S. was close to winning the war. Americans were being told the U.S. was close to winning the war. Credibility gap Credibility gap

War in Vietnam The media criticized the war and many Americans turned against the war. The media criticized the war and many Americans turned against the war. Could not be won!!! Could not be won!!! Tet Offensive = TURNING POINT (WATERSHED) Tet Offensive = TURNING POINT (WATERSHED)

War in Vietnam In 1968, Johnson announced that he would negotiate to end the war. In 1968, Johnson announced that he would negotiate to end the war. ALSO ALSO He would not run for re-election. He would not run for re-election. CASUALTY OF WAR CASUALTY OF WAR

War in Vietnam

April 1968 – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated April 1968 – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated June 1968 – Robert Kennedy was assassinated June 1968 – Robert Kennedy was assassinated Americans broke out into violence and protest!!! Americans broke out into violence and protest!!!

War in Vietnam 1968 Democratic National Convention 1968 Democratic National Convention Nearly 10,000 anti-war protesters gathered Nearly 10,000 anti-war protesters gathered Chicago police sprayed them with mace and beat them. Chicago police sprayed them with mace and beat them.

War in Vietnam Election of Election of Richard Nixon (Rep) becomes President Richard Nixon (Rep) becomes President

War in Vietnam Henry Kissinger – National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger – National Security Adviser Vietnamization – gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops to allow South Vietnam to take over the war. Vietnamization – gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops to allow South Vietnam to take over the war

War in Vietnam My Lai – U.S. troops massacred nearly 200 Vietnamese villagers. My Lai – U.S. troops massacred nearly 200 Vietnamese villagers. Nixon ordered troops to invade Cambodia to destroy the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Nixon ordered troops to invade Cambodia to destroy the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Kent State University – 4 protesters killed and 9 wounded. Kent State University – 4 protesters killed and 9 wounded.

Legacy of War in Vietnam “America’s longest war” finally ended in 1973 “America’s longest war” finally ended in ,000 Americans killed 58,000 Americans killed Distrust of government Distrust of government Generation gap between young people and older Generation gap between young people and older

Legacy of War in Vietnam Returning veterans were not celebrated, PTSD, and Agent Orange exposure Returning veterans were not celebrated, PTSD, and Agent Orange exposure Sough Vietnam surrendered Sough Vietnam surrendered Further instability in Southeast Asia Further instability in Southeast Asia