1. Vietnam War

2. May 1954 Battle of Dien Bien Phu French lose battle & leave Vietnam
Vietminh in control
Who’s who?
Vietminh
Communists from the North

3. May-July 1954 Geneva Accords
Peace conference that divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel
North: Communists
Ho Chi Minh = leader
South: Non Communists
Ngo Diem = leader

4. 1956
American backed Diem cancelled national elections because he knew he was going to lose
Diem was very corrupt, but we backed him anyway…why?
He was non-Communist

5. Dec. 1963
16,000 US troops in Vietnam

6. Aug. 2, 1964
Gulf of Tonkin
USS Maddox was attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin by the N. Vietnamese
That’s our story & we’re sticking to it!!

7. Aug. 7, 1964 Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Gave President Johnson broad military powers in Vietnam
President no longer needs Congress’ approval before going to war
Checks & Balances issue!!

8. March 1965 Operation Rolling Thunder
US bombing campaign against N. Vietnam
We drop 6.2 million tons of bombs!!
Carpet Bombing!!

9. June 1965 50,000+ US troops in Vietnam
Most Americans support our efforts in Vietnam because we were fighting to contain Communism

10. 1968
500,000+ US troops in Vietnam

11. Jan. 31, 1968
Tet Offensive
Vietcong surprise attacks through S. Vietnam
Attacked all major cities in S. Vietnam
Turning point of the war – Communists are winning

12. Results of Tet Offensive
The war was not almost over like President said
Led to mistrust of President Johnson
Proved S. Vietnam could not protect itself
Proved N. Vietnamese were more coordinated than we thought!!

13. March 16, 1968
My Lai Massacre
US troops massacre entire village under order from US General Calley
War Crimes!!
Most women, children & elderly…
US public didn’t learn of this until 1969

14. Nov. 1968 Nixon wins the 1968 Presidential Election
Promised to get the US out of Vietnam!!

15. Nixon’s Plans Vietnamization
Getting more Vietnamese troops involved in fighting the war
Peace & Honor
Still fight as we withdrawal troops from Vietnam

16. April 30, 1970 US Invades Cambodia
US bombing campaign to clear the VC supply lines
Ho Chi Minh Trail

17. June 1971
Pentagon Papers
Daniel Ellsburg of the Dept. of Defense leaked information about the truth behind American involvement in Vietnam
Gulf on Tonkin incident didn’t happen like LBJ said it did!!
Confirmed LBJ lied to the public about our involvement
Public opinion abt. war & gov’t. officials decreases!!

19. March 29, 1973 Last of US combat troops out of Vietnam
Almost all US troops out of Vietnam
58,000 US troops died
2,000+ POWs/MIAs

21. Nov. 1973
War Powers Act
Replaced the Gulf of Tonkin Resolutions & limits President’s power during war
President can send troops where needed, but must get approval from Congress to stay longer than 90 days

22. March 1975 N. Vietnam invades S. Vietnam
US provides economic aid to S. Vietnam, but no more military aid

23. Vietnam becomes 1 Communist country
April 30, 1975
Vietnam becomes 1 Communist country

24. 2 things to be completed before you leave today…
Vietnam questions
Final Exam Thematic Review
Key Writings/Literature
Key Treaties/Peace Conferences
Amendment Review