1. The Vietnam War 1950-1975 Purpose:
To stop the spread of communism (containment) in Southeast Asia, the United States used its military to support South Vietnam.
How is this a continuity from earlier American foreign policy?

2. U.S Presidents During the Vietnam War
Harry S Truman ( )
Dwight D. Eisenhower ( )
John F. Kennedy ( ) John F. Kennedy was a strong believer in containing communism and the “Domino Theory”
Lyndon B. Johnson (1963 – 1969)
Richard Nixon ( )
Gerald R. Ford (1974 – 1977)
Why did this war last so long?

3. Background to Vietnam Vietnam as a colony of France and Japan
• In the late 1800s to WWII, France ruled most of Indochina (including Vietnam)
• In 1940, Japanese took control of Vietnam during WWII
• In Sept. 1945, Ho Chi Minh (Vietnamese Communist leader) and the Vietminh (an organization that aimed to rid Vietnam of foreign rule) declared Vietnam an independent nation.
French forced out of Vietnam
After WWII French troops moved back into Vietnam; French fought and regained cities in the South
In 1950, the U.S. sent economic aid to France to stop communism.
• In 1954, the Vietminh forced the French out.
• Geneva Accords divided Vietnam at 17th parallel; Communists get north. The South is controlled by a series of unstable “democratic” rulers.

4. U.S Military Intervention
Instability in South Vietnam
Succession of military leaders rule S. Vietnam; country unstable
LBJ (Lyndon Johnson-U.S President) worried the U.S. would lose international prestige if communists won.
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Alleged attack in Gulf of Tonkin; LBJ asked for power to repel enemy.
1964- Tonkin Gulf Resolution gives LBJ broad military powers
Americans killed, LBJ ordered sustained bombing of North
U.S. combat troops sent to S. Vietnam to battle Vietcong 1965.

5. A Difficult War to Fight: The Vietcong
Who were the Vietcong?
The guerilla force that, with the support of the North Vietnamese Army, fought against South Vietnam (late 1950s–1975) and the United States (early 1960s–1973).

6. Conflict in the U.S over the Vietnam War
The Draft
Selective Service System, draft, called men 18–26 to military service
Thousands looked for ways to avoid the draft
Many—mostly white, affluent—received college deferment
80% of U.S. soldiers came from lower economic levels
• Doves strongly opposed the war, believed U.S. should withdraw
• Hawks favored sending greater forces to win the war
In 1967 the majority of Americans supported war and considered protesters disloyal.

7. The Tet Offensive: The Turning Point in the Vietnam War
A Surprise Attack
• In 1968 villagers travel to cities to celebrate Tet (Vietnamese new year)
• Vietcong among crowd; attack over 100 towns, 12 U.S. air bases
• The Tet offensive lasted 1 month before the U.S. and South Vietnam regain control
Tet Changed U.S Public Opinion
Before Tet, most Americans were hawks; after Tet, hawks and doves were both 40%
Mainstream media openly criticized war (first televised war in U.S history)
LBJ’s popularity dropped; 60% disapproved his handling of the war

8. President Nixon’s Role in the Vietnam War
The plan for exiting South Vietnam
• New president Richard Nixon found negotiations were not progressing
• His administration’s plan= Vietnamization—U.S. troops withdraw and S. Vietnam troops take over
BUT before U.S troops leave South Vietnam:
The My Lai Massacre of 1968
U.S. platoon carried out massacre of civilians in My Lai village
Lt. William Calley, Jr., in command, is convicted, imprisoned (Turned some protestors in US against soldiers returning from their tours in Vietnam)

9. Continued Conflict in the U.S over the Vietnam War
Violence on Campus—Kent State University, Ohio
National Guard kills 4 students in confrontation at Kent State University

10. America’s Longest War Ends
“Peace is at Hand”
1971, 60% think U.S. should withdraw from Vietnam by end of year
By 1973, the U.S withdrawals from Vietnam
The Fall of Saigon
Cease-fire breaks down; South surrenders after North invades in 1975.
North and South reunite. Vietnam becomes a unified communist country.
NEXT

11. Further Turmoil in Southeast Asia
The Legacy of Vietnam
58,000 Americans, over 2 million North, South Vietnamese die in war
Returning veterans face indifference, hostility at home
About 15% develop post-traumatic stress disorder
Government abolishes military draft
1973 Congress passes War Powers Act:
- president must inform Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops
- 90 day maximum deployment without Congressional approval
War contributes to cynicism about government, political leaders
Further Turmoil in Southeast Asia
Communists put 400,000 S. Vietnamese in labor camps; 1.5 million flee
Civil war breaks out in Cambodia; Khmer Rouge seize power (Cambodian Genocide)