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The Vietnam Era Chapter 30
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John F. Kennedy Chapter 30 Sec. 1
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Election of 1960 Kennedy vs. Nixon Kennedy – young, good looking, war hero, wealthy, political family, wanted change, Catholic, Democrat Nixon – Vice President, older, wanted to continue with Ikes plans, Republican Very close race Kennedy wins
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“… ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” - John F. Kennedy (Inauguration Speech)
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JFK and Communism Kennedy increased spending on Nukes, but worked to stop all nuclear testing Communist armies began using guerilla warfare – small armies using ambush tactics Flexible Response – US plan to combat guerilla warfare – Green Berets Created Peace Corp to help countries in need
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Bay of Pigs Plan to overthrow Fidel Castro Using armies of Cuban exiles – people forced from their homes April 17, 1961 – troops land in southern Cuba Exiles quickly defeated - embarrassing
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The Berlin Wall Continued disputes in East and West Germany as well as Berlin Khrushchev & Kennedy discuss problems – Berlin major issue US troops to Berlin Khrushchev closes border between East and West Berlin Berlin Wall is built
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Cuban Missile Crisis Oct. 1962 – US spy plane finds Soviets building nuclear launch sites in Cuba Massive fear of attack in US US blockade of Cuba until missiles removed close off US and Soviet ships have close encounter The world sits and waits
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Missile Crisis Resolved Agreement made between US and Soviets Soviets remove nukes and launch sites No US invasion of Cuba 2 new advancements 1.Hot Line – direct phone line from Washington D.C to Moscow 2.No nuclear testing
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Space Race Continues Yuri Gagarin – 1 st man to orbit the Earth, Alan Shepard – 1 st American in space John Glen – 1 st American to orbit the Earth July 20, 1969 – Apollo 11 landed on the moon Neil Armstrong – 1 st man on the moon
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“One small step for man, one giant leap for man kind”
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War in Vietnam Chapter 30 Section 2
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Origins of War Ho Chi Minh and Communist army win independence from France Geneva Accords Split Vietnam north/south North communist – South Free (United States) Ngo Dinh Diem took control of South in ’55 Anti-Communist Anti-Buddhist – Pro-Catholic
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Monks protesting the harsh treatment of Buddhists under Diem
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Origins of War continued… Communists in the south organize and form the Vietcong US had big fear of the Domino Theory – one country falls many will follow Kennedy sends troops to help the south Nov. 1, 1963 the South Vietnamese army staged a coup – overthrow the government Assassinated Diem
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Conflict Continues President Lyndon B. Johnson takes over after the death of JFK Sec. of Defense Robert McNamara “I don’t think it’s worth fighting for, but I don’t think we can get out.” US ships attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin LBJ now has a good reason to fight US involvement begins to escalate – gradually increase 180,000 in ’65 to 500,000 in ‘67
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Combat in Vietnam Guerilla Warfare – jungles, tunnels, trails Ho Chi Minh Trail – main supply route The US began search – and – destroy missions – find the enemy and wipe them out Backed by jets and helicopters Napalm – liquid fire Agent Orange – herbicide - chemical warfare North Vietnamese/Vietcong frustrated the US by constantly out numbering them Pres. Johnson – “Can we win this war?”
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Reaction to the War Chapter 20 Section 3
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Generation Gap A fight between young and old over the Vietnam War Counterculture – a movement that rejected traditional values Long hair, torn blue jeans, Rock N’ Roll
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The Draft All men must register at 18 years old Some believed if you stop the draft you can stop the war Protests of burning draft cards Congress made it illegal Draft Dodgers
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Doves vs. Hawks Doves – anti-war Hawks – pro-war The debate moved to congress “Is this war a mistake?” Anti-War movement quickly grows In 1967, 50,000 march on Washington
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1968: Year of Crises Chapter 30 Section 4
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Attack on American Ships Jan. 23, 1968 USS Pueblo, a US spy ship and its crew are captured by North Vietnam This attack shocked America “A US boat had been defeated”
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The Tet Offensive Jan 31, 1968 (Vietnamese New Year - Tet) the North Vietnamese and Vietcong launched a massive offensive attack targeted southern bases and major cities (Saigon) Vietcong drove deep into southern territory America launched a strong counter attack and was able to push the Vietcong north Major turning point in the war
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Response in America After Tet, Americans began to lose faith The Gov’t developed a credibility gap – fewer people trusted their statements Johnson ordered reevaluation of the war “new step towards peace” Bombings stopped
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Election of 1968 Johnson will not seek reelection Democrats: Robert Kennedy, Hubert H. Humphrey, Eugene McCarthy Kennedy Assassinated, Humphrey won nomination Republican: Richard Nixon Law and Order: George Wallace Nixon wins a close race
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Nixon and Vietnam Chapter 30 Section 5
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Nixon’s New Plan “Peace with Honor” 1.Draft Reform 2.Vietnamization – South Vietnamese army would take over more of the fighting 3.More bombing in Cambodia and Laos Kept a secret to the American People
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New Issues in Cambodia Civil War breaks out between communists and anti-communists Nixon steps in and attacks Communist bases Highly unpopular with Americans Nixon is overstepping his authority
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Protests Kent State Student burned down a military building Governor called for martial law – emergency military rule 3,000 armed troops – riot control 17 students shot – 4 killed, “Reasons that are unclear” Jackson state – police shot and killed 2 America stunned, many colleges shut down
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“Peace is at Hand” Removal of over 450,000 US troops 1 st peace talks failed South Vietnamese president did not want Northern troops in his country Nixon reelected One final round of bombings Jan. 27, 1973 – Peace Treaty signed
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North Vietnam Continues North Vietnamese army does not stop Saigon fell on April 20, 1975 Communism takes over Vietnam
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Legacy of the War 1.4 million Vietnamese died 58,000 Americans died – 300,000 wounded 2.7 million served No hero’s welcome Many MIA’s (Missing in Action) – never found Vietnam War Memorial
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