1. The War in Vietnam

2. Background Vietnam had a 2000 year history of nationalism
Had consistently fought off Chinese invasions
Colonized by the French in the late 1800’s
Both France and Vietnam appealed to the US for help

3. The Vietminh were led by Ho Chi Minh
The French were defeated at the siege of Dien Bien Phu in 1954
Vietnam was split until elections could be held.
Ho Chi Minh

5. North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and Viet Cong (VC) vs
North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and Viet Cong (VC) vs. The Republic of Vietnam (RVA) and the US

6. US Involvement Eisenhower begins to send “advisors” (500)
Kennedy increases this number (16000)
Johnson will GREATLY increase this number (536,000 by 1968)

7. Containment
The United States would not openly confront Communist Russia, but would oppose the expansion of Soviet territory.

8. Domino Theory If one falls, the rest will follow
This was our FIRM belief in the region (Appeasement!!!)
Johnson’s commitment

11. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Alleged attack on a US warship by Vietnamese patrol ships
LBJ used this to push the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution through Congress (416 to 0, 88 to 2)
Greatly expanded the President’s War Powers

13. Battlefield Conditions
Vs. guerilla warfare in the swamps and jungles

14. Viet Cong could retreat into Laos and Cambodia for protection

15. Vs. booby traps and land mines

16. Vs. the intricate tunnel system

17. South Vietnamese government was corrupt, and did not help the war effort as much as it could have.

19. Toll on Civilians Communist Brutality
Viet Cong Forces killed thousands of civilians as they were forced from cities

20. Massacre at My Lai
American forces killed 400 civilians who were suspected supporting the Viet Cong
American helicopter pilots helped to save many others

21. Intensifying The War
LBJ gradually steps up the war in terms on manpower and dollars

22. Ho Chi Minh Trail
Steady stream of supplies that moved through Laos and Cambodia
Caused LBJ to start bombing North Vietnam
US never stopped

23. Ho Chi Minh Trail

24. Ho Chi Minh Trail

25. Rolling Thunder
Nonstop, intensive bombing campaign of North Vietnam

26. Chemical Weapons and Defoliants were used (Agent Orange)

28. Napalm
Incendiary gel that burns in excess of 5,000 Degrees used by the US Military in Vietnam.
Photos of burned civilians turned many Americans against the war.

30. Tet 1/30/68 – series of surprise attacks all throughout South Vietnam
Viet Cong were turned back with very heavy losses
Government had been telling people that the North Vietnamese were on the verge of surrender

31. Effects of Tet
showed that the Viet Cong could still mount major offensive
images of fighting on American TV turned many against the war
led many to believe the war was un-winnable

32. Effects on LBJ’s Presidency
LBJ went from being a very popular president in 1963/1964, to one of the most unpopular by 1968.
Vietnam, in effect, wrecked his presidency.

33. Troop Levels in Vietnam
ESCALATION!
1965
Beginning – 25,000 End – 184,000
1966 – 385,000
1967 – 485,000
1968 – 536,000

34. Political Divisions Student Activism Baby Boomers Sit-ins, Teach-ins
Free Speech Movements

35. Hawks and Doves
Hawks supported the war in Vietnam, while doves opposed it.

36. Communes
Hippies would SOMETIMES live together, share common property, possessions, work, resources, and income. Far out, man!

37. Conscientious Objectors
Men and women who refused to serve, though some served in non-combat roles

38. Resistance to the Vietnam War, and the draft for the War led to the formation of “The New Left” from Student Demonstration Groups

39. Students for a Democratic Society
“SDS groups”
Major college protest group
Organized protests among student groups
Protested against Vietnam War and “Oppressive Government”

40. Counterculture
Group whose norms are outside that of normal society. Examples include: Clothing, drugs, music, goals, and sexual practices.

41. Johnson Decides not to Run
Tet Offensive convinces Johnson that he cannot win the war, nor the election, seeks peace with North Vietnam
Johnson not running causes the Democratic Party to Split into several factions

42. The Election of 1968
Democratic National Convention results in protest and rioting
Nixon tells America about his “Secret Plan” to win the war in Vietnam
Nixon Wins the Election

43. 1968 Assassination of MLK Tet Offensive
LBJ decides not to run for re-election
RFK is assassinated
Democratic National Convention / Election of 1968
Passage of the 26th Amendment

44. The Last Years of the War 1968
Nixon Elected
Paris peace talks begin

45. 1969 Nixon announces policy of “Vietnamization”
Formation of the “Weather Underground Terrorist Group

46. Woodstock
Massive 3 day concert that is seen as the highpoint of 1960’s music

47. Moon Landing
USA was challenged by JFK to make it to the moon by the end of the decade.
Landed July 20, 1969

48. 1970 Nixon calls for law and order Appeals to the “Silent Majority”
Students killed while protesting at Kent State in OH, and Jackson State in MS

49. 1971
Nixon meets Elvis

50. 1972 Nixon Re-elected US troop levels in Vietnam fall to 24,000
North Vietnam renews attacks on South Vietnam
Nixon orders the most intensive bombing of the war

51. 1973
US troops are completely withdrawn from Vietnam.

52. 1975
Saigon falls to the North Vietnamese, the war is over

53. At Home - 58,000
US Soldiers were killed, 2500 were either POWs or MIAs. Many returning Vietnam Vets felt unappreciated. Ideas about the war left the country divided for years to come. Vietnam was the longest and least successful war in American history.

54. South Vietnam falls to The North Vietnamese army in 1975
South Vietnam falls to The North Vietnamese army in Millions of Vietnamese soldiers and civilians died in the war.