1. Slide 1 VIETNAM, 1946-75 (the 10 000 Day War) By Scott Masters—edited by Cheryl Rhodes

2. Slide 2 PHASE 1 - A WAR OF INDEPENDENCE AGAINST THE FRENCH French colony called French Indochina (along with Cambodia and Laos) French colony called French Indochina (along with Cambodia and Laos) Vietnam fights for its independence from France during WW II (France occupied w/ WWII) Vietnam fights for its independence from France during WW II (France occupied w/ WWII) The Vietnamese revolutionary leader was Ho Chi Minh, a Communist The Vietnamese revolutionary leader was Ho Chi Minh, a Communist Wanted to be the leader of an independent, communist Vietnam-received support from USSR and “Red” China Wanted to be the leader of an independent, communist Vietnam-received support from USSR and “Red” China

3. Slide 3 French defeat at Dienbienphu-1954 French defeat at Dienbienphu-1954 Fr. wants a peace conference (attended by France, Vietnam, the US, and the USSR) Fr. wants a peace conference (attended by France, Vietnam, the US, and the USSR) Decision to partition Vietnam into a communist North & a “democratic” South led by Ngo Dinh Diem Decision to partition Vietnam into a communist North & a “democratic” South led by Ngo Dinh Diem US sees South Vietnam as “domino” -can’t afford to lose=domino theory US sees South Vietnam as “domino” -can’t afford to lose=domino theory Buddhists uprising Buddhists uprising Diem is assassinated Diem is assassinated

4. Slide 4 PHASE 2 – AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT Originated with Originated with Eisenhower and JFK Under Johnson: Under Johnson: –No declaration of war –Gulf of Tonkin Incident (2 American destroyers were allegedly fired upon by the North Vietnamese) Congress passes Gulf of Tonkin Resolutions (August 1964)- here Congress gave LBJ their support & power to wage war Congress passes Gulf of Tonkin Resolutions (August 1964)- here Congress gave LBJ their support & power to wage war

5. Slide 5 US increases troops, but no success against the guerrilla forces in S.V. (the Vietcong) US increases troops, but no success against the guerrilla forces in S.V. (the Vietcong) US Army was unprepared for their tactics-gorilla war US Army was unprepared for their tactics-gorilla war US never entirely successful in shutting down the Ho Chi Minh Trail, (supply line that ran between North and South Vietnam--difficult jungle terrain, often underground and through neighboring nations like Cambodia) US never entirely successful in shutting down the Ho Chi Minh Trail, (supply line that ran between North and South Vietnam--difficult jungle terrain, often underground and through neighboring nations like Cambodia)

6. Slide 6 NVA’s launch Tet NVA’s launch TetOffensive-1968- US casualties= increase in antiwar sentiment at home. Vietnam was a TV War Vietnam was a TV War Tide Turns Towards the Enemy

7. Slide 7 American atrocities at My Lai (Lieutenant Calley) American atrocities at My Lai (Lieutenant Calley) Witnessed the usage of weapons like napalm and Agent Orange, which devastated the environment Witnessed the usage of weapons like napalm and Agent Orange, which devastated the environment

8. Slide 8 Counterculture grows (Hippies, Flower Children, etc.)- protests widespread and polarize the nation Counterculture grows (Hippies, Flower Children, etc.)- protests widespread and polarize the nation Intensified after the Kent State Massacre Intensified after the Kent State Massacre –National Guardsmen opened fire on student protestors in Ohio, killing four

9. Slide 9 “Credibility Gap”, i.e. Americans no longer “Credibility Gap”, i.e. Americans no longer believed Pres. was telling them the truth In 1968, LBJ chose not to run for president, and Rep. Richard M. Nixon was elected-“Peace with Honor” In 1968, LBJ chose not to run for president, and Rep. Richard M. Nixon was elected-“Peace with Honor”

10. Slide 10 Vietnamization- Vietnamization- Continues carpet bombing Hanoi & orders a secret invasion of Cambodia Continues carpet bombing Hanoi & orders a secret invasion of Cambodia The US does manage to extricate itself by Jan. 27, 1973 The US does manage to extricate itself by Jan. 27, 1973

11. Slide 11 PHASE 3 – VIETNAMESE CIVIL WAR, 1973-75 The NVA easily defeat the South by 1975-South appealed to Nixon for aid promised, but by 1975 Nixon- Watergate Crisis, The NVA easily defeat the South by 1975-South appealed to Nixon for aid promised, but by 1975 Nixon- Watergate Crisis, 1975 – the US abandoned its embassy in Saigon- renamed 1975 – the US abandoned its embassy in Saigon- renamed Ho Chi Minh City- Vietnam unified and communist

12. Slide 12 Vietnam Memorial-1984