VIETNAM

VIETNAM - OVERVIEW Longest war in U.S. History More than 58,000 killed 300,000 wounded 14,000 disabled 800,000 veterans labeled as have significant to severe problems of readjustment

Background of the war VIETNAM HO CHI MINH 1890-1968 A French colony that was invaded and occupied by the Japanese during WWII Ho Chi Minh – Organizes group to resist the Japanese called the Vietminh Ho Chi Minh supported Communism Ho Chi Minh – Attacks French at Dien Bien Phu – French leave Ends French Occupation-Vietnam divided into North and South Vietnam

President Eisenhower Did not intervene to help French Sent arms, ammunition, supplies and $$ to aid French Forces Strong belief in the domino theory Policy of Containment

GENEVA ACCORDS Peace agreement Vietnam divided at 17th parallel Vietminh controls northern Vietnam with Ho Chi Minh French withdraw from Vietnam General elections are to be held Ngo Dinh Diem, South Vietnamese Leader

NGO DINH DIEM President of South Vietnam Roman Catholic Corrupt & Brutal leader Repression of Buddhists Prevents elections stated in Geneva Accords Prevents Vietnam from being united Vietminh form NLF – military forces become known as Vietcong Civil war between North & South Vietnam Eisenhower sends $$, weapons & advisors to support South Vietnam

PRESIDENT KENNEDY Believed in Domino Theory Contain Communism Goal to display strength in Vietnam Sends aid – Military advisors Presses Diem government to make changes Diem government overthrown, Diem assassinated Kennedy assassinated

TONKIN GULF RESOLUTION Pres. Johnson inherits Vietnam South Vietnam on verge of collapse Johnson wants to increase military USS Maddox attacked by N. Vietnam Tonkin Gulf Resolution-Congress gives Pres. Power to expand war in Vietnam Johnson expands U.S. troops in South Vietnam Johnson has power to use further force in Vietnam

PRESIDENT JOHNSON Operation Rolling Thunder President orders bombing of military targets in North Vietnam Targets Ho Chi Minh Trail – supply line going through Laos and Cambodia to S. Vietnam North sent supplies to Vietcong South Vietnam by Ho Chi Minh Trail Increased bombing does not weaken enemy – escalates the war Johnson broadens war South Vietnamese join Vietcong

HO CHI MINH TRAIL A network of paths used by the North Vietnamese to transport supplies to the Vietcong in South Vietnam

U.S. FORCES MOBILIZE DRAFT American forces increased Gov. depends on draft Some excused for health reasons Deferments for college Lottery system was implemented Some left for Canada-draft dodgers Pres. Carter later pardoned draft dodgers

IMPACT OF MEDIA Americans question U.S. policy News – nightly reports News crews on battle fields Walter Cronkite – questions American Leaders on war on national tv after TET Offensive Doves – Oppose War Hawks –Support war

TURNING POINT OF THE WAR TET OFFENSIVE- TURNING POINT OF THE WAR Vietnamese New Year N. Vietnamese Troops & Vietcong attack U.S. Military bases in South Vietnam0 Civilians suffered Communists seen as strong U.S. chances of winning war diminished- DOUBTS!! Cronkite gives assessment of war on tv Events cause Pres. Johnson not to run for another term

ANTI—WAR MOVEMENT Kent State – National Guard shoots and kills 4 students Peace movements become mainstream 26th Amendment – 18 Yr. Vote My Lai Massacre - Search & destroy mission – Vietnamese Civilians killed Lt. Calley-Charged & convicted of murder Pentagon Papers – Document leaked to press – U.S. lied to by government officials over War

PRESIDENT NIXON Goal to achieve victory in Vietnam Vietnamization – turn fighting over to Vietnamese –bring U.S. troops home SETTLEMENT JANUARY 1973 U.S. withdraws all troops from S. Vietnam Help rebuild South Vietnam Both sides agree to release all prisoners of war

LEGACY OF VIETNAM 58,000 KILLED U.S. Lost respect of foreign countries Confidence in U.S. military is weakened War Powers Act – 60 day limit to President committing troops Vietnam Memorial – Washington D.C. Counterculture –Rebellion of teens against the mainstream American society