1. The Vietnam War Years (1954-1975)
In this chapter you will learn about the causes and impact of the war in Vietnam

2. Learning Goals
Objectives
Essential Question
Explain why the U.S. became involved in the conflict.
Describe how the Vietnam war ended.
Identify the war’s lasting effects on the u.s.
What were the military and political events of the Vietnam war and how did this conflict impact life in the U.S.?

3. Moving Toward Conflict
Ho Chi Minh
Leader of communist north Vietnam.
Domino theory
If a nation falls under communist control, nearby nations will also fall become communist.
Vietcong
South Vietnamese communists who fought against the government of south Vietnam.
Ho chi minh trail
Paths used by N.V. to transport supplies to the Vietcong.
Tonkin gulf resolution
After an attack on u.s. naval ship, president Johnson asked to use all necessary measures to prevent further aggression.

4. u.s. involvement & escalation
1964 Campaign: “I will not send American boys 9 or 10,000 miles away to do what Asian boys ought to be doing”
After winning election Johnson immediately sends troops.
Chemical warfare
Napalm: gasoline-based bomb set the jungle on fire.
Agent Orange: Leaf-killing toxic chemical.
Search & Destroy
Uproot civilians, kill livestock, burn villages, and wait for an ambush.
Credibility Gap
Johnson telling U.S. war is going great, but news coverage just shows lots of dead Americans.

5. A nation divided Draft Dove Hawk Tet offensive
1 year tour of duty in Vietnam. 80% were lower income whites & minorities.
Dove
Withdraw from Vietnam immediately.
Hawk
More military force needs to be sent to Vietnam.
Tet offensive
Massive Surprise attack by the Vietcong on south Vietnamese towns and cities. Turning point of the war.
Robert Kennedy Assassination
Running for president in 1968 to pull troops out of Vietnam.

6. End & Legacy of the War Vietnamization My Lai Kent state university
Gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops & replaced by South Vietnamese troops.
My Lai
American platoon massacres 200 innocent women, children, and elderly. 1 officer convicted & imprisoned.
Kent state university
Students burnt down rotc building & national guard troops fired into group of unarmed students.
Pentagon papers
Showed side of Vietnam war that had been hidden from the public.
War powers act
President can send troops for 60 days without congress.