Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
1
The Cold War - Vietnam March 2009
2
M.A.D.?
3
What is Indochina?
4
Vietnam: Background France had ruled Indochina (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos) as a colony before WWII WWII: Japan takes over Important in leading to Japan v. US in WWII After WWII (1945): Fr. tries to regain control but each country gains independence by 1954
5
Just for fun Go to and type in “French Military Victories” and hit the button that says “I’m feeling lucky.”
6
Vietnam: Division 1954: Geneva Conference: V. divided into:
(1) Communist-controlled North V. under Ho Chi Minh (2) Pro-western South Vietnam Division supposed to end with national elections in Elections did not take place b/c S.V. knew Communists would win. Communist Viet Cong guerillas will gain control of much of S.V. over several yrs.
7
UNCLE HO
8
Ho Chi Minh mausoleum
9
Guess which city is the home of the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum!
10
Vietnam Maps
11
Vietnam: Domino Theory
U.S. belief that if one SE Asian country fell to Communism, the rest would soon follow.
12
Legitimate or crazy?
13
Vietnam: US Involvement
“Domino Theory” led to gradual US involvement supporting S.V. 1964: Tonkin Gulf Resolution: Congress authorizes military action in SE Asia. US Presidents: Lyndon B. Johnson ( ) Richard M. Nixon ( ) Prior to Vietnam, what was the U.S.’ record in wars?
14
Vietnam: US soldiers Potential Problems?
Pre-1969, draft according to age 1969: Lottery for draft by b’day Combat soldiers avg. age WWII: 26 Vietnam: 22 “Tour of Duty:” Those enlisted &/or drafted required to serve just one year & then come home. Potential Problems?
15
Vietnam: Fighting Superpower vs. Small “Third World” nation
Communist expansion or independence? Viet Cong used “unconventional warfare” Avoid direct fighting, prolong war to demoralize enemy, etc. Turning Point: Tet Offensive (Jan. 1968) Tet: Vietnamese New Year N.V. launched major attack but did not capture any major cities ***US public now perceived US as losing & began to question US objectives in V.***
16
Vietnam: Anti-War This photo shows a SV executing what appears to be a defenseless Viet Cong prisoner. In fact, the prisoner had just killed 8 SV. Photo by Eddie Adams, 1968
17
Eddie Adams The general killed the Viet Cong; I killed the general with my camera. Still photographs are the most powerful weapon in the world. People believe them; but photographs do lie, even without manipulation. They are only half-truths. ... What the photograph didn't say was, 'What would you do if you were the general at that time and place on that hot day, and you caught the so-called bad guy after he blew away one, two or three American people?
18
Eddie Adams "I would have rather been known more for the series of photographs I shot of 48 Vietnamese refugees who managed to sail to Thailand in a 30-foot boat, only to be towed back to the open seas by Thai marines.”
19
Tet Offensive Map
20
My Lai
21
Vietnam: US gets out After Tet, US protests led to gradual removal of troops in area w/ policy of “de-escalation” (later “Vietnamization”) Bombings intensified w/ Nixon 1973: All sides agree to ceasefire but fighting continued 1975: Viet Cong defeats SV 1976: Vietnam unified as one Communist country, Saigon becomes Ho Chi Minh City
22
Vietnam: Results 400,000+ SV died 900,000+ NV & VC died
58,000 Americans died 10 million (about ½ of pop.) became refugees
23
Agent Orange
24
Agent Orange: Not Just in Vietnam
ROK $62 million
25
Vietnam: Some effects in US
2 Things US will try to avoid in future: Fighting w/o a clear EXIT STRATEGY*** US casualties*** *** = “Let me explain!”
48
“Big Mo” of the Montgomery (AL) Biscuits
Similar presentations
© 2024 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.