1. Where is Vietnam?

2. FEAR OF COMMUNISM/DOMINO EFFECT!!!!!
The Vietnam War,
Background:
France controlled “Indochina” since the late 19th century.
1954: France loses control to Ho Chi Minh’s Viet Minh at Dien Bien Phu
U.S. replaces France. Why???
FEAR OF COMMUNISM/DOMINO EFFECT!!!!!

3. Vietnam Split at 17th Parallel
North Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh (Communist)
South Vietnam: Ngo Dinh Diem (Dictatorial-U.S.-backed)
U.S. sent billions in aid to Diem’s gov’t.

4. Early Protests of Diem’s Government
Buddhist Monk – Self-Immolation
Saigon

5. 1960 – U.S. Military Involvement Begins
JFK increases number of military advisors.
First “living room war”
Body counts on TV every night

6. Johnson Sends Ground Forces
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
“The Blank Check”
U.S. Troop Deployments in Vietnam

7. Who is the enemy?

8. January, 1968 – Tet Offensive
U.S. destroys Viet Cong
HOWEVER, seen as an American defeat by the media.
Impact: Led to an opposition to the war in the U.S., Johnson disgraced.
Hey! Hey! LBJ! How many kids did you kill today?

9. Impact of the Vietnam War
Johnson does not run for re-election.
Drop in American morale.
Are we becoming the enemy?
My Lai Massacre: 1968
villagers killed
Mostly women and children

10. Anti-War Demonstrations
May 1970
4 Students shot dead.
11 Students wounded.
Kent State University

11. 1975 – Vietnam is united and Communist
Peace Negotiations
1975 – Vietnam is united and Communist
1973: Nixon – “peace with honor”
Ceasefire signed.
1975: North Vietnam defeats South Vietnam.

12. Impact 26th Amendment – 18 year olds vote. War Powers Act (1973) –
Overturned Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.
Disregard for Veterans – seen as “baby killers”
Nixon abolished the draft.

13. Vietnam War Memorial – Washington, D.C.

14. AND TODAY….. The “Light” at the End of This Tunnel?
2003 to ?: “Operation Iraqi Freedom” American dead and counting…?

15. A transformation of the Middle East?
Another Vietnam? OR
A transformation of the Middle East?
Only time & history can tell!