The Vietnam War Subtitle
Pre and Post WWII ▪ Before WWII, Vietnam was under the control of France. ▪ While living in China & the Soviet Union, Ho Chi Minh learned about communism and work for Vietnam’s independence. ▪ Believed that a Communist revolution was the only way Vietnam could gain independence. ▪ During WWII, Indochina was occupied by Japan. ▪ The French reclaimed Vietnam as a colony after WWII.
First Indochina War ▪ United States supported France because Ho Chi Minh was communist. ▪ Sent weapons, ammunition, supplies, and money to French forces in Vietnam. ▪ Domino theory: the belief that communism would spread to neighboring countries. ▪ France is defeated at Dien Bien Phu = driven out of Vietnam. ▪ Vietnam is split into North & South along 17 th parallel: decided at Geneva Conference.
American Participation Begins ▪ Why would the U.S. succeed? ▪ Ngo Dinh Diem: Vietnamese nationalist in N.J – strong catholic and anti-communist. ▪ 1 st president of S.Vietnam and backed by the United States. ▪ *Military & Assistance Advisory Group: sent to train ARVN but not fight – S. Vietnamese officers sent to U.S. to train (West Point). ▪ ARVN: Army of the Republic of Vietnam.
The Tyranny of Ngo Dinh Diem ▪ People are jailed and executed for suspicion of being communist. ▪ Illegal to spread rumors= death penalty. ▪ “Free” elections do not exist any longer ▪ rebellions begin all over S. Vietnam. ▪ ,600 U.S. military advisors in Vietnam. Viet Cong begins to fight: Communist group supported by Ho Chi Minh
Vietnam A.D. (After Diem) ▪ Celebrations in S. Vietnam cities for birth of Buda. ▪ Diem orders celebrations to stop—sends in military when they continue. ▪ Military kills 9 & wounds 12 others= Diem blames Viet Cong. ▪ Buddhists protests break out. ▪ Buddhist monk lights himself on fire.
Vietnam A.D. (After Diem) ▪ U.S. begins planning to overthrow Diem. ▪ Policy makers talk to S. Vietnam officers to overthrow Diem. ▪ Diem escapes to Chinese section of Saigon-decides to resign and leave country. ▪ Assassinated on way to airport. ▪ Political & military situation are in chaos.
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution ▪ U.S. Navy destroyers under attack from North Vietnamese torpedo boats in Gulf of Tonkin. ▪ American planes attack N. Vietnamese naval ports. ▪ Gulf of Tonkin Resolution: gave Pres. Johnson authority to take any measures necessary to retaliate against N. Vietnamese.
Operation Rolling Thunder ( ) ▪ Plan for continuous day to day bombing of N. Vietnam ▪ *April 1965: 3,600 planes bomb Vietnam. ▪ *More bombs will be dropped on Vietnam than dropped on Germany and Japan combined. ▪ Signals the beginning of American involvement in Vietnam. ▪ U.S. Marines land in S. Vietnam (3,600) only to protect air bases.
American Strategy ▪ U.S. War Leaders: – Sec. Robert McNamara – Gen. William Westmoreland: constantly requested more troops-made it appear to American public we were winning the war. ( 500,000 troops in 1968) ▪ Attrition: kill more of the enemy than they kill you and wear the enemy out. *Lied about body counts. Inflated 30% ▪ *“Crossover Point”: Point in which enemy is killed to where they cannot keep supplying men to fight. ▪ Search and Destroy: free-fire zone/indirect fire
Tactical Airpower ▪ Cluster Bombs ▪ Puff the Magic Dragons ▪ Agent Orange ▪ Napalm ▪ *U.S. pilots who were tortured when taken prisoner.
Different War ▪ Viet Cong used guerilla tactics-*fought in both cities, countryside, and jungle. – Hard to differentiate friend from foe. ▪ Ho Chi Minh trail: trails through Cambodia & Laos connecting North & South Vietnam.
Different War ▪ Bobbie Traps: Punji traps, venomous snakes, bouncing betties, land mines. ▪ *Today, 3.5 million armed mines remain in Vietnam, causing 160 civilian casualties per month. ▪ NVA & VC network of elaborate tunnels
Ia Drang ▪ 1 st major military engagement of war. ▪ “Grab them by the belt” strategy ▪ Enemy withdrew into Cambodia.