1. APUSH 10.2 Vietnam Conflict

2. Background Former French Colony as part of Indochina Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia After World War II, they pushed for Independence French resist. (lose battle at Dien Bien Phu) Communist leader Ho Chi Minh leads independence movement Geneva Convention in 1954 divides country. North led by Ho Chi Minh and Communist South led by Ngo Dihn Diem and Anti-Communist Who do you think the U.S. supported?

3. Early Aid 1955-1961 U.S. gives over $1 Billion aid to South Vietnam Eisenhower makes analogy which becomes the Domino Theory SEATO – 1954 Mutual defense treaty (SouthEast Asia Treaty Organization) Buildup of U.S. military in South Vietnam continues with IKE, JFK, LBJ There as military “advisers” Diem’s gov’t corrupt and unpopular Buddhists monks protest with fire (Diem supported upper-class Catholics) JKF (secretly) approves Diem’s assassination and overthrow

4. The big one to remember 1964 – naval incident in Gulf of Tonkin LBJ uses it to ask Congress for combat forces Vote – House 416 to 0, Senate 88 to 2 give him power Tonkin Gulf Resolution Gave President “all necessary measures” to protect U.S. interests in Vietnam Most Americans supported this resolution at the time.

5. Escalation of War In 1965, U.S. expanded operations to save Saigon government Operation Rolling Thunder – sustained bombing of North Vietnam In April, ground troops used for first time Gen. William Westmoreland – commander, but “limited war” Why? War of Attrition – plan U.S. had to wear down enemy Search and destroy missions Use of Napalm and Agent Orange Hamlet Program Meant to help against Vietcong These led to more alienation of peasants

7. 1968 Tet Offensive (Jan/Feb) Surprise attack by the Vietcong (NLF) Officially a U.S. victory, but battle changes view of many Americans MyLai massacre – over 300 villagers killed. Lt. William Calley later convicted Quagmire “Body Count”

8. Hawks and Doves Hawks – supporters of the war (against communism) Doves – viewed the war as a civil war Some opposed due to cost of money and lives Greatest opposition on college campuses. What areas were more likely to support war? North/South, East/West, Rural/Urban After Tet, more opposed the war. TV anchor Walter Cronkite’s editorial LBJ – declines running in 1968 election

9. Nixon takes over 1968 – Tet, LBJ declines, MLK and RFK assassinations Nixon’s Peace with Honor and “Law and Order” campaign wins 1969 Pullout of ground troops plan – Vietnamization 1970 Invasion/air bombing of Cambodia 1971 US Air Force assists in unsuccessful invasion of Laos 1972 increase in air bombings in Cambodia and Vietnam North Vietnam launches Easter Invasion Christmas bombing of N.V. (U.S. loses 15 B-52s)

10. End of the (former) Longest War 1973 Paris Accords U.S. agrees to withdraw last of troops Ceasefire in Vietnam with promise of free elections But civil war actually continues in South Vietnam U.S. leaves after losing $118 billion and over 58,000 soldiers 1975 (April) Fall of Saigon – North Vietnam takes over Then-president Ford asks Congress to allow military aid to S.V., but denied U.S. helps evacuate over 150,000 but not all Low point of American prestige overseas and confidence at home

11. Credibility Gap? 1971 Daniel Ellsberg releases the Pentagon Papers U.S. vs. NY Times – ruled paper had right to publish them Pentagon Papers showed that the “war was to protect American prestige” and that the public had been mislead. War Powers Act – passed in 1973 would restrict future engagements. President must inform Congress within 48 hours Is it Constitutional?

12. Other misc. Vietnam to know Robert McNamara – Secretary of Defense Henry Kissinger – Nixon’s Foreign Advisor / Sec. of State 1 st televised war – Showed credibility gap of government 1968 Democrat Primaries and Convention

13. Soldiers Average age much lower than WWII Minorities and poor over represented 20% of combat soldiers – African American (10% of population) Late in war, problems with desertion, drugs, insubordination, and crimes becomes a problem Soldiers faced bitter homecoming Over 55,000 killed, over 300,000 wounded, PTSD MIAs / POWs

14. Protests in Colleges SDS – Student for Democrat Society Tom Hayden – Leader Port Huron statement – declaration of beliefs Teach-ins 1970 CIA intensifies surveillance of antiwar groups Kent State – 1970, National Guard fire upon student protesters 4 killed, 9 wounded Ten days later 2 students killed at Jackson State

15. Draft Dodgers “Rich man’s war…poor man’s fight” Ways to legal get out: Medical College National Guard Move to another precinct Other ways: Sympathic Doctors Canada/Sweden

16. Reasons for opposition Civil War South Vietnam government oppressive U.S. is not the world’s police War is immoral Problems at home

17. Reflection Questions In what ways is the Vietnam Conflict much like the American Revolutionary War? How do the following represent the attitudes about Vietnam: Tonkin Gulf Resolution, Tet, and War Powers Act? Why did the United States involved in Indochina and was it successful? What affected the attitudes of people in the United States about the military conflict?

18. Links http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L7oMsUs2rg – review video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L7oMsUs2rg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnnLrmboOYE – music and Vietnam http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnnLrmboOYE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuUBCF3KKxc – Country Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuUBCF3KKxc