1. Vietnam War
Unit 10

2. 10.1 Learning Targets
I can trace the history of the US involvement in the war
Identify the terms & people relevant to the Vietnam War
Differentiate between the First and Second Vietnam wars
I can geographically locate and identify the countries of South Asia

3. I. The United States Focuses on Vietnam
Early American Involvement
Vietnam occupied by French by 1893, by Japan during WWII
French Indochina: Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos
US helped Vietnam drive out Japanese
Ho Chi Minh proclaimed independence
1946 China falls to communism
Vietminh Drive out the French
US fears communism – domino theory
Offers to send $ and war materials (Truman)
Vietnam gets help from USSR & China
Eisenhower- continues to help (80% of cost)

4. Vietnam War Guerrilla warfare Dien Bien Phu
Geneva Accords- 17th parallel, 1956 elections
Ho Chi Minh- communist control the North
Ngo Dinh Diem- pro Western governments in South
1965 Election

5. 10.2 Learning Targets
I can trace the history of the US involvement in the war
I can explain the unique problems that US soldiers faced in fighting the war
I can explain the unique aspects of the war itself
I can identify the objectives of the United States and the objectives of the North Vietnamese

6. II. Going to War in Vietnam
Weak S. Vietnam Govt. deepens American involvement
Johnson & Vietnam
Could not afford another “China”
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Operation Rolling Thunder
A Bloody Stalemate Emerges
By 1965 – 180,000 U.S. Troops (Double by 1966)
Vietcong willing to accept huge losses (220,000 – 6,700)
U.S. could not use its full strength

7. 10.3 Learning Targets
I can explain the unique aspects of the war itself
I can identify reasons for the United States withdrawal from Vietnam
I can explain the legacy of the Vietnam War on the United States

8. III. Vietnam Divides the Nation
A Growing Credibility Gap
An Antiwar Movement Emerges
1968: The Pivotal Year :

9. IV. The War Winds Down Nixon Moves to end the war - Vietnamization
Turmoil At Home – My Lai, Kent State
US Pulls out of Vietnam – April 30, 1975 South Vietnam Falls
Legacy of Vietnam - $170 Billion, 58,000 Americans Dead, 300,000 injured, PTSD, Distrust, War Powers Act