1. The Vietnam War 1954-1970

2. How and why did we get involved?  Began in 1950 when the US supported France’s attempts to take over Vietnam  France controlled the area—Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia)—from the late 1800s through World War II

3. Ho Chi Minh  Leader of the Indochinese Communist Party, founded in 1900  Joined with nationalist groups to form the Vietminh—a group which sought Vietnamese independence  Claimed independence when the Japanese retreated after World War II—1945

4. France Battles the Vietminh  France gained control of the southern half of Vietnam  The U.S. provided economic aid to France—giving over $2.6 billion in this effort  Eisenhower was concerned about the domino theory—if one nation fell to Communism, they all would fall  After agreeing to a stalemate in Korea, the Americans were set to fight in Vietnam

5. The Geneva Accords  From May through July 1954  Divided Vietnam at the 17 th parallel North: the Communists and Ho Chi Minh were in control of Hanoi South: the anti-Communist nationalists, and their president Ngo Dinh Diem were in control of Saigon  The Accords called for an election in 1956

6. More Trouble  Ho Chi Minh was extremely popular, so Diem cancelled the elections  By 1957, the Vietcong sprung up in the South and began attacks on Diem’s government  Ho Chi Minh began to support the VC—now known as the National Liberation Front—via the Ho Chi Minh Trail

7. Kennedy and the Diem Coup  Diem was losing popularity He moved villagers to “safe areas” He spoke out against Buddhism His government was corrupt  Kennedy had increased personnel and financial support to Diem  On November 1, 1963, a U.S.-supported military coup overthrew and assassinated Diem

8. Johnson Expands the Conflict  Kennedy had announced withdraw, but Johnson escalated our involvement  No ruler was able to establish a stable government in South Vietnam  The Tonkin Gulf Resolution from August 7, 1964, allowed Johnson to begin bombing attacks on North Vietnam

9.  By the end of 1965, the U.S. had sent more than 180,000 Americans to Vietnam  By 1967, the number had climbed to 500,000 at the request of General William Westmoreland  He complained about the support of the ARVN troops—the South Vietnamese Army

10. New Fighting Styles  The VC used hit-and-run and ambush tactics—guerrilla warfare  The jungle terrain was laced with booby traps, land mines, and underground tunnels  The Americans were very successful with battles, but the Vietcong were fighting for their homes and their existence and were willing to do so at any price

11. Americans Struggle with Villagers  The U.S. needed villagers on their side to expose the Vietcong hiding among them  They used a variety of weapons to expose the hiding Vietcong Napalm—a gasoline-based bomb that set fire to the jungle Agent Orange—a leaf-killing toxic chemical that devastated the landscape Search-and-Destroy Missions—uprooting villagers, burning villages, and killing livestock

12. Americans Struggle with Themselves  Morale dropped steadily  Soldiers turned to drugs and alcohol to cope  The U.S. economy suffered due to the costly war  Vietnam was the first “living room war”— everyone knew what was going on as soon as it happened  By 1967, active protesting had begun

13. Problems with the Draft  Most soldiers were drafted under the Selective Service System  Soldiers could be deferred for medical excuses or by attending college Most with deferments were middle-class whites  In December 1969, the draft switched to a lottery— http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cold.war/episodes/13/the.draft/ http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cold.war/episodes/13/the.draft/  Racial tensions were just as high on the lines in Vietnam as they were at home

14. On the Home Front  Young Americans were active socially and politically  Formed the New Left—a movement that called for sweeping changes in America

15.  The SDS—Students for a Democratic Society— was a well-known organization  Founded in 1959 by Tom Hayden and Al Haber  SDS organized a march in Washington in April 1965 attended by 20,000 people  Half a million protested in NYC in 1967

16. The Tet Offensive  January 30—Vietnamese New Year’s Eve  The “celebrating” villagers were really VC and surprised the Americans with an attack during the Tet truce  Although the Americans regained the cities, it was a great political and psychological loss

17. Problems in the Democrat Party  Eugene McCarthy ran against Johnson for the Democratic nomination  Robert Kennedy declared his candidacy after Johnson’s lukewarm results  On March 31, 1968, Johnson addressed the nation and said: We’d seek a peace in Vietnam Bombing would cease He would not seek re-election

18. Violence Grips the Nation  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968  Over 50,000 troops and guardsman were called upon to stop rioting across the country  Robert Kennedy was assassinated on June 4, 1968  At the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, fighting occurred in and outside of the Convention Center

19. Nixon Wins the Election  After all the problems with the Democrats, Nixon easily won the presidency  In the Summer of 1969, he announced his plans to withdraw troops from Vietnam  Bombing continued, including Laos and Cambodia  The public became aware of the My Lai Massacre—where innocent Vietnamese were killed by confused soldiers

20. Kent State  Students protested and burned the ROTC building  On May 4, 1970, the National Guard fired into a crowd of student protesters  Nine were injured and four were killed

21. Finally  Henry Kissinger, Nixon’s national security advisor, began peace negotiations  On October 26, 1972, he announced, “Peace is at hand”  Additional bombing continued however  On March 29, 1973, the last U.S. combat troops left for home

22. The Vietnam War Memorials