1. The Vietnam War US History Objectives:
**Explain the origins of American
involvement in Vietnam during
the 50s/60s
**Detail how the Vietcong and the
North Vietnamese were able to
frustrate the American military
SOL – VUS.13
Timeline –
US History
The Vietnam War

2. French Indochina (late 1800s-1954)
French Imperialism controlled SE Asia
**Vietnam
**Laos
**Cambodia

3. Ho Chi Minh ( )
Led Communist in Vietnam to overthrow the French

4. The Domino Theory & Containment
Addition to policy of Containment
If all of Vietnam turns communist ALL of Asia will turn Communist

5. Split Vietnams
North (Vietnam) = Communist
South (Vietnam) = Democracy

6. The Vietcong (V.C.) Attack (early 1960s)
N. Vietnam invades South Vietnam to unify under one communist govt.
Pres Kennedy sends military advisors to help S. Vietnam (Containment - Truman Doctrine)

7. Gulf of Tonkin Incident (August 2 & 4, 1964)
N. Vietnam attacked 2 US warships of Vietnam coast
Pres Johnson increases U.S. forces in Vietnam

8. Welcome to the Jungle The Vietcong Tactics
Hit-and-run attacks – Guerilla Warfare
Home field advantage – miles of tunnels, know the jungles

9. For What it’s worth
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10. Operation Rolling Thunder (establish 1965)
Fighting intensifies
Bomb the jungle
Napalm – fire bomb – Agent Orange – leaf killer

11. Masters of War
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12. Search-and-Destroy Destroy entire V.C. villages
Try to force out V.C. (Vietcong) in a fight

13. Sinking Morale US military is winning the battles but …
fighting limited to only S. Vietnam
can’t force surrender or defeat the V.C.

14. Fortunate Son
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15. The Hawks vs. The Doves US is divided over the war The Hawks – pro-war
The Doves – anti-war: angry at draft (picked on poor, college youths protest the war

16. The Credibility Gap Gov’t insisted USA was winning
War on TV – Public sees # of casualties

17. President Lyndon Johnson (1963-1969)
Became hugely unpopular w/ USA people
Does not run for reelection in 1968

18. Election of Richard Nixon (November 1968)
Return US to “law and order”
End Vietnam – “Peace With Honor”

19. Vietnamization (1968-1973) Gradually pull out US forces
Arm & aid S. Vietnam troops
Seek a peace treaty to keep the Vietnam’s separate

20. The May 4, 1970 Kent State Riot (Ma 4, 1970)
College students protest war
National Guard fire on students
**67 rounds shot in 13 seconds
**4 dead, 9 injured

21. Ohio
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22. US quickens pace of withdrawal
August 23, The last U.S. combat troops depart Vietnam.
January 27, The last American soldier to die in combat in Vietnam, Lt. Col. William B. Nolde, is killed.
March 29, The last remaining American advisors withdraw from Vietnam as President Nixon declares "the day we have all worked and prayed for has finally come."

23. The Fall of Saigon (April 30, 1975)
N. Vietnam takes over the South

24. Painful Legacy Dead and injured
Carpet bomb N. Vietnam till they release our POWs (Prisoners of War)
MIA (Missing in Action)
Number served
Killed
Injured
Missing
Casualties
2.7 million
58,159
303,635
1,724
363,518

25. What’s Going On
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