1. Mr. Williamson Somerville High School
The Vietnam War
Mr. Williamson
Somerville High School

2. The US in Vietnam 1953 – Eisenhower’s policy toward Vietnam
Monetary aid to French to battle against Ho Chi Minh & communists
Goal is to CONTAIN the spread of communism
Domino Theory – idea that if Vietnam fell to communism, Japan, Philippines and Australia could be threatened
Vietminh, the communist force, trap a French military base at Dien Bien Phu, force the surrender
Geneva Accords: France grants independence to Laos, Cambodia
Vietnam to be split (North/South) at the 17th Parallel
North – Communist led by Ho Chi Minh
South – Anti-Communist led by Ngo Dinh Diem
1956 – Free elections to unify Vietnam

3. The US in Vietnam
1957 – Communist rebel group in South Vietnam, National Liberation Front (NLF)
Goal to undermine Diem’s southern gov’t, unite Vietnam under communist flag, supplied by North Vietnam
NLF’s guerilla fighters, VIETCONG, launched attacks against gov’t officials, destroyed infrastructure
Ngo Dinh Diem’s policies unpopular in South Vietnam
Catholic in a Buddhist nation, signs anti-Buddhist legislation, refused to pass land reforms
US works to remove him from power/need for new leadership

4. The US in Vietnam
Buddhist monk sets himself on fire in Saigon to protest the Diem regime

5. The US in Vietnam 1964 – President Johnson faces 1st crisis
8/2 – North Vietnamese torpedo boats fire on USS Maddox as it patrols the Gulf of Tonkin
LBJ responds – Aggressive actions against S. Vietnam/US will receive a response
Orders an airstrike against N. Vietnam
Asks Congress for approval to use force to defend US troops
Agrees to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Authorizes the President to “take all/necessary measures to repel any armed attack”
Gave LBJ tremendous war powers, did not have to go to Congress for troops/declaration of war

6. The US in Vietnam
February 1965 – LBJ orders Operation Rolling Thunder, 1st sustained bombing of N. Vietnam
Response to Vietcong attack that killed US troops at Pleiku
Did not stop the North from supplying the Vietcong in the South
Role of Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, Gen. William Westmoreland
Advisers believed US needed to increase its military presence to win that war
Bombing campaigns widespread in Vietnam
Napalm – jellied gasoline would cover large areas in flames
Agent Orange – herbicide meant to kill plant life
Defoliated the countryside/disrupted enemy food supply
Caused cancers/physical problems later in life

7. The US in Vietnam Group Challenge
Scenario – US involvement in Vietnam is increasing rapidly with additional troops and battlefield deaths. As a close adviser to President Johnson, you are concerned his policy may not be effective in dealing with the various issues of Vietnam. You have a meeting with President Johnson, his Cabinet & military advisers tomorrow.
Brainstorm 2-3 strategies that would address the issues that have been discussed so far in class. Be specific/appropriate in your idea and prepare how it would be an effective policy. We will share our ideas as a class and discuss which ones would be the most beneficial for each side.
Provide your strategies on the paper provided, 10 minutes, good luck!

8. The US in Vietnam Difficult challenges in Vietnam
Unlike WWII, did not emphasize territorial acquisition
No attempt to destroy N. Vietnam, communist regime
Fear of triggering Chinese/Soviet involvement
Troops forced to support/develop/protect S. Vietnam
Difficult to tell allies/enemies
New Battlefields
No significant battles, Vietcong avoided US firepower
Adverse conditions – heat, rainforests, etc.
Vietcong used small-units/knowledge of land to their advantage
Actions of US Military
10k women – primarily as nurses
End of 1965 – US soldiers now being drafted
Morale begins to waver/question their involvement

9. The US in Vietnam Doubt Grows on US Home Front Lack of Progress
US believed it would be a quick war
US powerful/advanced country, N. Vietnam poor/min. technology
Johnson asserts that victory was close
Weakened US Economy
Great Society – demands domestic $ to eliminate poverty, education, etc.
Lowers unemployment but rising prices/inflation forces Johnson to raise taxes
Anti-War Movement Begins
Congress now split over the war
Hawks – support Johnson, believed in containment/domino theory
Doves – liberal politicians, students, civil rights leaders question war. Believed it was a LOCALIZED, not a global conflict

10. The US in Vietnam Hawk/Dove Debate Preparation
Provided the Hawk/Dove primary sources given to you, create a “T” chart in your notebook, with the headings “Hawk” & “Dove”.
On the appropriate side of your T Chart, write the numbers of the excerpt and a short summary in your own words.
At the end of class, each group will be assigned a perspective (Hawk/Dove) to prepare for the National Security Meeting with the president.
Tomorrow, during the 2nd half of class we will conduct a National Security Meeting where you will present your assigned perspective to the president. You will provide a recommendation to the president on the following question: Should the president significantly increase US military involvement in Vietnam?
Each person in the class will present their recommendation and will be graded on a rubric, worth 18 points. Your voice must be heard and your participation is required. Good Luck!

11. The US in Vietnam Hawk/Dove Debate
Take out a piece of paper and fold a sheet length-wise. Write your assigned perspective (hawk/dove) so we can clearly identify your stance. Hand your rubric to Mr. Williamson.
When addressing the class/Mr. Williamson, please begin your comments with “Mr. President” or “President Johnson”.
After everyone has presented, YOUR GROUP (1 person) will have 5 minutes to prepare and present a rebuttal against your opponent. As a result, your attention to each group’s presentation is vital (make notes, highlight their weaknesses). When called upon, state your opponent’s view and then deliver your statement.
Graded on the following:
Use of examples/facts
Relevance of supporting arguments
Strength of arguments
Preparation
PROFESSIONALISM! No personal attacks. Focus on the issue, not the person!