1. Slide 1 VIETNAM, 1946-75 (the 10, 000 Day War)

2. Slide 2 Where is Vietnam?

3. Slide 3 PHASE 1 - A WAR OF COLONIAL INDEPENDENCE AGAINST THE FRENCH Vietnam had been a French colony under the name of French Indochina (along with Cambodia and Laos) Vietnam began to fight for its independence from France during WWII (when France was preoccupied with European conflict) Vietnamese revolutionary leader was Ho Chi Minh, a leader of an independent, communist Vietnam Ho received support from both the USSR and “Red” China https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =kB-sNSiY8Vc

4. Slide 4 Colonial war raged 1946-54 Colonial war raged 1946-54 Culminating in the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu Culminating in the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu France decided it wanted out and called a peace conference in Geneva, Switzerland (attended by France, Vietnam, the US, and the USSR) France decided it wanted out and called a peace conference in Geneva, Switzerland (attended by France, Vietnam, the US, and the USSR) Decision – partition(17 th parallel) Vietnam into a communist North led by Ho and a “democratic” South Vietnam led by Ngo Dinh Diem Decision – partition(17 th parallel) Vietnam into a communist North led by Ho and a “democratic” South Vietnam led by Ngo Dinh Diem Settlement was an outgrowth of basic Cold War tensions between the Americans and Soviets and clearly reflected the US policy of containment with respect to Soviet communist expansionism Settlement was an outgrowth of basic Cold War tensions between the Americans and Soviets and clearly reflected the US policy of containment with respect to Soviet communist expansionism US had come to see South Vietnam as a “domino” that they couldn’t afford to lose US had come to see South Vietnam as a “domino” that they couldn’t afford to lose

5. Slide 5 Containment Policy in Action In 1950, the U.S. established the U.S. Military Advisory Group-Indochina. In the same year, the Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of China officially recognized the DRV and sent aid to Ho Chi Minh. In 1950, the U.S. established the U.S. Military Advisory Group-Indochina. In the same year, the Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of China officially recognized the DRV and sent aid to Ho Chi Minh. From 1950-52, the U.S. spent $50 million in military and economic aid to support nation-building and fight the communists in South Vietnam. From 1950-52, the U.S. spent $50 million in military and economic aid to support nation-building and fight the communists in South Vietnam.

6. Slide 6 Bell Ringer “Why are we in South Vietnam? We are there because we have a promise to keep. Since 1954 every American President has offered support to the people of South Vietnam. We have helped to build, and we have helped to defend. Thus, over many years, we have made a national pledge to help South Vietnam defend its independence. And I intend to keep our promise. To dishonor that pledge, to abandon this small and brave nation to its enemy, and to the terror that must follow, would be an unforgivable wrong....” — Lyndon B. Johnson, April 26, 1965 Vietnam War Under Johnson Use the excerpt below to answer the following question. According to this document, what are two reasons President Lyndon B. Johnson sent troops to Vietnam?

7. Slide 7 PHASE 2 – AMERICAN ESCALATION AND MILITARY INVOLVEMENT Phase originated with Phase originated with “Ike” and JFK but was intensified under Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) The U.S. never formally The U.S. never formally issued a declaration of war Gulf of Tonkin Incident - 2 American Gulf of Tonkin Incident - 2 American destroyers were apparently fired upon by the North Vietnamese Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolutions (August 1964) - here Congress gave LBJ their support in sending American personnel and materiel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =ah1IXMy8VCM

8. Slide 8 Administration Date Military Forces Kennedy (Democrat) 1961 3,200 Kennedy 1962 11,300 Kennedy 1963 16,300 Johnson (Democrat) 1964 23,300 Johnson 1965 184,300 Johnson 1966 385,300 Johnson 1967 485,600 Johnson 1968 536,100 Nixon (Republican) 1969 475,200 Nixon 1970 334,600 Nixon 1971 156,800 Nixon 1972 24,200

9. Slide 9 Gulf of Tonkin Timeline French colonialism in Vietnam: 1800s-1941. French colonialism in Vietnam: 1800s-1941. Japan took over Vietnam during WWII, but when Japan was defeated in 1945, Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnamese independence. Japan took over Vietnam during WWII, but when Japan was defeated in 1945, Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnamese independence. But French came back in and tried to take over again; U.S. supported French. The French lost in 1954. But French came back in and tried to take over again; U.S. supported French. The French lost in 1954. 1954: Geneva Convention split the country into North and South, with the idea that there would be free elections in the near future. 1954: Geneva Convention split the country into North and South, with the idea that there would be free elections in the near future. (U.S. DID NOT sign Geneva Accords, for fear that Communists would win the general elections). (U.S. DID NOT sign Geneva Accords, for fear that Communists would win the general elections). U.S. supported South Vietnam leader, Diem. But Diem turned out to be oppressive and unpopular. He canceled elections, repressed Buddhists; caused major discontent in South Vietnam. U.S. supported South Vietnam leader, Diem. But Diem turned out to be oppressive and unpopular. He canceled elections, repressed Buddhists; caused major discontent in South Vietnam.

10. Slide 10 Gulf of Tonkin Timeline U.S. feared that Diem’s unpopularity will push more South Vietnamese to support Communists. So they supported a coup and Diem was overthrown and assassinated—Nov. 1, 1963. U.S. feared that Diem’s unpopularity will push more South Vietnamese to support Communists. So they supported a coup and Diem was overthrown and assassinated—Nov. 1, 1963. JFK assassinated only weeks later. LBJ inherited the problem in Vietnam. JFK assassinated only weeks later. LBJ inherited the problem in Vietnam. Under new weak South Vietnam government, support for Communism grew Under new weak South Vietnam government, support for Communism grew North Vietnam smuggled weapons into South Vietnam to support Communist insurgents through a network of trails through Laos and Cambodia (Ho Chi Minh trails). North Vietnam smuggled weapons into South Vietnam to support Communist insurgents through a network of trails through Laos and Cambodia (Ho Chi Minh trails). Aug. 2, 1964- North Vietnamese attacked U.S.S. Maddox; Aug. 4. –another attack provided grounds for Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (second attack turned out to be fake— never happened). Aug. 2, 1964- North Vietnamese attacked U.S.S. Maddox; Aug. 4. –another attack provided grounds for Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (second attack turned out to be fake— never happened). President Johnson asked Congress to pass Gulf of Tonkin Resolution which gave him authorization to use military force in Vietnam (not a declaration of war). President Johnson asked Congress to pass Gulf of Tonkin Resolution which gave him authorization to use military force in Vietnam (not a declaration of war).

11. Slide 11 Ho Chi Minh Trail In spite of ongoing escalation In spite of ongoing escalation throughout the 1960s, the US experienced a lack of success against the Vietnamese guerrilla forces in S. Vietnam (the Vietcong) as the US Army was unprepared for their tactics and mentality their tactics and mentality The US was also never entirely The US was also never entirely successful in shutting down the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a down the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a supply line that ran between supply line that ran between North and South Vietnam via North and South Vietnam via difficult jungle terrain, difficult jungle terrain, often underground and through neighboring nations like Cambodia and Laos like Cambodia and Laos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =poE_nNW9-yk

12. Slide 12 Quagmire and Attrition In 1965, General Westmoreland began to implement a search-and-destroy strategy that sent U.S. troops out into the field to find and kill Viet Cong members In 1965, General Westmoreland began to implement a search-and-destroy strategy that sent U.S. troops out into the field to find and kill Viet Cong members War of attrition—a strategy of extended combat meant to inflict so many casualties on the enemy that it could no longer continue War of attrition—a strategy of extended combat meant to inflict so many casualties on the enemy that it could no longer continue U.S. commanders were instructed to begin keeping body counts of enemy soldiers killed U.S. commanders were instructed to begin keeping body counts of enemy soldiers killed Viet Cong’s guerrilla tactics frustrated and demoralized U.S. troops Viet Cong’s guerrilla tactics frustrated and demoralized U.S. troops

13. Slide 13 Vietnam on TV War definitely turned against the US in 1968, when the NVA’s General Giap began the Tet Offensive War definitely turned against the US in 1968, when the NVA’s General Giap began the Tet Offensive Tet Offensive - surprise offensive by North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong - attacking nearly thirty U.S. targets and dozens of other cities in South Vietnam at once. Tet Offensive - surprise offensive by North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong - attacking nearly thirty U.S. targets and dozens of other cities in South Vietnam at once. US casualties and losses saw an increase in anti-war sentiment on the American Home Front US casualties and losses saw an increase in anti-war sentiment on the American Home Front Vietnam was a TV War where American audiences saw the brutality of war firsthand Vietnam was a TV War where American audiences saw the brutality of war firsthand Backlash again LBJ’s Americanization of the war Backlash again LBJ’s Americanization of the war

14. Slide 14 American atrocities at My Lai -1968 American atrocities at My Lai -1968 TV audiences witnessed the usage of weapons that devastated the environment TV audiences witnessed the usage of weapons that devastated the environment Morale among U.S. troops also hit an all- time low after Tet Offensive Morale among U.S. troops also hit an all- time low after Tet Offensive Frustrated U.S. soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians in a small village Frustrated U.S. soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians in a small village napalm (a highly flammable jellied substance) and napalm (a highly flammable jellied substance) and Agent Orange(herbicide defoliant) Agent Orange(herbicide defoliant) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSKA_Ce4lBghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSKA_Ce4lBg (5:20-8:05) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H69nExfUh34 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H69nExfUh34 (21:40 – 32:40)

15. Slide 15 Counterculture Gathered momentum (Hippies, Flower Children, etc.), protests became widespread and began to polarize the nation Gathered momentum (Hippies, Flower Children, etc.), protests became widespread and began to polarize the nation This was intensified after the Kent State Massacre This was intensified after the Kent State Massacre –National Guardsmen opened fire on student protestors in Ohio, killing four students –Senator William Fulbright’s (Chairman of the Senate Armed Forces Committee) admission that the war was a “mess” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =K94oOhUcvHE

16. Slide 16 Johnson - Nixon Increasingly the American people came to perceive the “Credibility Gap”, i.e. they no longer Increasingly the American people came to perceive the “Credibility Gap”, i.e. they no longer believed that LBJ was telling them the truth about events in the war War cost = estimated $3 billion a month War cost = estimated $3 billion a month 1968- LBJ chose not to run for president 1968- LBJ chose not to run for president Republican Richard M. Nixon was elected on a platform of “Peace with Honor” Republican Richard M. Nixon was elected on a platform of “Peace with Honor”

17. Slide 17 Vietnamization President Richard M. Nixon, declared that a “silent majority” of Americans still supported the war President Richard M. Nixon, declared that a “silent majority” of Americans still supported the war Nixon wanted the South Vietnamese to play a greater role in the war, a policy he labeled Vietnamization -promising to withdraw U.S. troops gradually and hand over management of the war effort to the South Vietnamese Nixon wanted the South Vietnamese to play a greater role in the war, a policy he labeled Vietnamization -promising to withdraw U.S. troops gradually and hand over management of the war effort to the South Vietnamese Nixon continues carpet bombing Hanoi and orders a secret invasion of Cambodia and Laos (without Congressional approval) Nixon continues carpet bombing Hanoi and orders a secret invasion of Cambodia and Laos (without Congressional approval) He relied on the diplomacy of Henry Kissinger to achieve peace and/or an American withdrawal He relied on the diplomacy of Henry Kissinger to achieve peace and/or an American withdrawal

18. Slide 18 Pentagon Papers U.S. newspapers in 1971 U.S. newspapers in 1971 Papers revealed that the U.S. Army, as well as presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson, had authorized a number of covert actions that increased U.S. involvement in Vietnam unbeknownst to the American public Papers revealed that the U.S. Army, as well as presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson, had authorized a number of covert actions that increased U.S. involvement in Vietnam unbeknownst to the American public Supreme Court ruled in New York Times v. U.S. that the government must prove an immediate threat to national security to censure the papers. Supreme Court ruled in New York Times v. U.S. that the government must prove an immediate threat to national security to censure the papers.

19. Slide 19 The Cease-fire and the Fall of Saigon After secret negotiations between U.S. emissary Henry A. Kissinger and North Vietnamese representative Le Duc Tho in 1972, Nixon engaged in diplomatic maneuvering with China and the USSR—and stepped up bombing of North Vietnam—to pressure the North Vietnamese into a settlement. The Paris Peace Accords were finally signed in January 1973, and the last U.S. military personnel left Vietnam in March 1973. After secret negotiations between U.S. emissary Henry A. Kissinger and North Vietnamese representative Le Duc Tho in 1972, Nixon engaged in diplomatic maneuvering with China and the USSR—and stepped up bombing of North Vietnam—to pressure the North Vietnamese into a settlement. The Paris Peace Accords were finally signed in January 1973, and the last U.S. military personnel left Vietnam in March 1973. Nixon pledged to withdraw all remaining military personnel from Vietnam and allow the tens of thousands of NVA troops in South Vietnam to remain there, despite the fact that they controlled a quarter of South Vietnamese territory. Nixon pledged to withdraw all remaining military personnel from Vietnam and allow the tens of thousands of NVA troops in South Vietnam to remain there, despite the fact that they controlled a quarter of South Vietnamese territory. However, Nixon promised to intervene if North Vietnam moved against the South. In exchange, North Vietnam promised that elections would be held to determine the fate of the entire country. Although Nixon insisted that the agreement brought “peace with honor,” South Vietnamese leaders complained that the terms amounted to little more than a surrender for South Vietnam. However, Nixon promised to intervene if North Vietnam moved against the South. In exchange, North Vietnam promised that elections would be held to determine the fate of the entire country. Although Nixon insisted that the agreement brought “peace with honor,” South Vietnamese leaders complained that the terms amounted to little more than a surrender for South Vietnam. The U.S. government continued to fund the South Vietnamese army, but this funding quickly dwindled. The U.S. government continued to fund the South Vietnamese army, but this funding quickly dwindled.

20. Slide 20 PHASE 3 – VIETNAMESE CIVIL WAR 1973-75 President Nixon became embroiled in the Watergate scandal that led to his resignation in August 1974. President Nixon became embroiled in the Watergate scandal that led to his resignation in August 1974. He was in essence a “lame duck”! He was in essence a “lame duck”! North Vietnamese forces stepped up their attacks on the South and finally launched an all-out offensive in the spring of 1975. North Vietnamese forces stepped up their attacks on the South and finally launched an all-out offensive in the spring of 1975. On April 30, 1975, the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese, who reunited the country under Communist rule as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, ending the Vietnam War. On April 30, 1975, the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese, who reunited the country under Communist rule as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, ending the Vietnam War. The US abandoned its embassy in Saigon, which was renamed Ho Chi Minh City in the newly unified and communist Vietnam The US abandoned its embassy in Saigon, which was renamed Ho Chi Minh City in the newly unified and communist Vietnam

21. Slide 21 Administration Date Military Forces Kennedy (Democrat) 1961 3,200 Kennedy 1962 11,300 Kennedy 1963 16,300 Johnson (Democrat) 1964 23,300 Johnson 1965 184,300 Johnson 1966 385,300 Johnson 1967 485,600 Johnson 1968 536,100 Nixon (Republican) 1969 475,200 Nixon 1970 334,600 Nixon 1971 156,800 Nixon 1972 24,200 Troop Reductions by Nixon

22. Slide 22 The War Powers Resolution Restricted presidential powers during wartime by requiring the president to notify Congress upon launching any U.S. military action abroad Restricted presidential powers during wartime by requiring the president to notify Congress upon launching any U.S. military action abroad Twenty-Sixth Amendment was ratified in 1971 to lower the U.S. voting age from twenty- one to eighteen, on the grounds that the young men serving in Vietnam should have a say in which politicians were running the war. Twenty-Sixth Amendment was ratified in 1971 to lower the U.S. voting age from twenty- one to eighteen, on the grounds that the young men serving in Vietnam should have a say in which politicians were running the war. Congress also ended the draft in 1973 and stipulated that the military henceforth consist solely of paid volunteers (Stopped Anti-War Protesters) Congress also ended the draft in 1973 and stipulated that the military henceforth consist solely of paid volunteers (Stopped Anti-War Protesters)

23. Slide 23 PHASE 3 – VIETNAMESE CIVIL WAR 1973-75 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0t-YBemwzs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuYaKVcYLyM https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=l8_tv7KTJi0 https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=l8_tv7KTJi0 (conspiracy)