1. PEACE, LOVE, & EQUALITY?
The 1960’s in America

2. Kennedy & LBJ in Vietnam
The Vietnam situation begins long before either one takes office
The First Indochina War
Mid-nineteenth century Vietnam comes under French rule
During WWII – came under Japanese rule
Post WWII – Give Vietnam back to France or let them have their own country

3. War would last for four years
Two Sides:
French
Vietnamese Nationalists led by Ho Chi Minh
War would last for four years
President Truman and Eisenhower both supported the French
The Battle at Dien Bien Phu
Massive defeat for the French
After battle – France withdraws all military & govt. from Vietnam

4. Geneva Convention
Immediate cease-fire
Vietnam would be partitioned along the 17th parallel
Vietminh in control of north
Pro-Western regime in control of south
In 1956, elections would be held and let people decide if country should be reunited

5. America Fills the Vacuum
America would support the new South Vietnam government
Under control of Ngo Dinh Diem
For a time Diem was successful at running the country

6. 1956 America supports Diem’s decision to refuse people to vote
US pours military and economic support
Minh restarts the fight – created the NFL otherwise known at the Vietcong
Diem fights back and takes drastic measures to keep himself in power

7. Turning point in American support for Diem came when Buddhist monks set themselves on fire in protest
President Kennedy asked Diem to reform his government – he didn’t
Kennedy approved of plot of South Vietnamese generals to overthrow Diem in a coup

8. The Generals assassinated Diem
The murders of Diem and others close to him was something the US had not wanted or expected
Established a series of new governments
Soon after Kennedy is assassinated himself

9. JFK Assassination
November 22, 1963
Kennedy Assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald
Two hours later – Lyndon Bane Johnson became president 
Kennedy Assassination marked the beginning of a loss in credibility in the government

10. During first moths in office LBJ expanded USA involvement
Johnson & Vietnam
Johnson faced mounting pressure to expand American involvement in Vietnam
During first moths in office LBJ expanded USA involvement
5,000 military advisors in 1963
With another 5,000 in 1964

11. Johnson asked congress to give him power
Golf of Tonkin
In 1964 President Johnson announced that an American patrol ship had been attacked in international waters
Johnson asked congress to give him power
Golf of Tonkin Resolution
Gave LBJ blank check to “take all necessary measures” to protect American forces and “prevent further aggression”