1. The Cold War Vietnam

2. Kennedy’s Involvement Contain communism “at all costs” Support Diem –Until…. Obvious cannot control country Support overthrow of Diem gov’t Sent military advisors –Begin to see policy of escalation

3. The War in Vietnam Unfolds American involvement in Vietnam grew out of fears that Southeast Asia would become dominated by Communist governments— the “domino theory.” Communist advances alarmed President Johnson, and in 1964 he announced that North Vietnamese forces had attacked US ships off the coast of North Vietnam. Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving LBJ power to take whatever action he deemed necessary to prevent aggression against American forces in Vietnam.

4. US Soldier Difficulties Jungles, swamps Vietcong: Guerilla Warfare –Familiar with geography –Protection in Laos and Cambodia –Support of local (South Vietnam) population US soldiers never know who was friend or enemy

5. Ground War Guerilla Warfare-Vietcong –Sneak attacks, sabotage –Hid in underground tunnels Booby traps-punji traps, landmines Most US troops never see VC

6. Air War B-52: saturation bombing –Destroy roads, bridges Fragmentation bombs: threw thick metal casing when exploded Agent Orange: herbicide (chemical weapon) –Kill leaves and underbrush, crops –Expose VC hiding places –Caused health problems Napalm: –Jellylike substance, splattered when dropped, burned uncontrollably –Stuck to bodies, sear off flesh

7. Vietnam: 1965-1968 Escalation of troops and money VC expand –Supplied via Ho Chi Minh Trail Route through Laos and Cambodia 1965-1967 Stalemate –US objective not achieved, force VC to stop fighting Operation Rolling Thunder (bombing over 3 years) –VC dug new tunnels Search and Destroy missions unsuccessful

8. Escalation Numbers Beginning of 1965: 25,000 End of 1965: 184,000 End of 1966: 385,000 End of 1967: 485,000 End of 1968: 536,000

9. Tet Offensive Tet=Vietnamese New Year Vietcong launch surprise attacks on major cities, towns, military bases Saigon attack US Embassy, presidential palace Communist/VC brutality –Kill anyone labeled an enemy (civilian), put in mass graves Showed VC could launch major offensive in the South

10. Protest Students were among the first Opposed US imperialism, conflict was a civil war should be resolved by Vietnamese Teach-ins Draft Resistance Protest marches

11. Nixon’s Vietnam Policy Vietnamization –Remove US troops and replace with South Vietnamese Down to 24,000 by 1972 –Remove troops but still determined to win war Secret bombing raids Moved war into Cambodia –Remove communist camps –Creates chaos and civil war November 1972—NVA begins major assault –Nixon responds with most severe bombing campaign of the war

12. January 1973 Peace agreement signed in Paris US, South Vietnam, North Vietnam, Viet Cong 1. US would withdraw all troops from South Vietnam within 60 days 2. All prisoners of war would be released 3. All parties agree to end military activity in Laos and Cambodia 4. 17 th Parallel would divide Vietnam until country could be united

13. South Vietnam Falls South Vietnamese continue to fight after US withdrawal Spring 1975—North Vietnam launches major attack on South Vietnam cities April 29, 1975—VC and NVA surround Saigon –US helicopters evacuate over 1,000 Americans and 6,000 Vietnamese to aircraft carriers waiting off- shore April 30, 1975—Saigon officially falls, South Vietnamese gov’t surrenders