The Vietnam War 1954-1975 Chapter 31

Background of the War Vietnam had history of nationalism dating back 2,000 years. 1st resisting China. 1800s, France claims Vietnam & faces similar resistance.

                                                                                                                                                                              Background Continued Ho Chi Minh – Leader of League for the Independence of Vietnam = Vietminh. Vietnamese nationalist and communist Fought for independence before, during & after WWII

Background Continued May 1954 – Vietminh forces defeat French at Dien Bien Phu. Geneva Accords, July 1954 – Vietnam divided near the 17th parallel. Ho Chi Minh = North Ngo Dinh Diem = South GA called for unification elections in 1956.

Early United States Involvment 1950 – U.S. provided aid to French in Vietnam effort. 1954 – U.S. shifted aid to anti-Communist South Vietnam. 1960 – Eisenhower sends 675 U.S. military advisors to S. Vietnam.

Kennedy’s Vietnam Policy JFK determined to stop spread of communism. 16,000 military advisors by the end of 1963. Did not intervene in coup to oust Diem in Nov. 1963. 3 weeks later Kennedy assassinated.

Johnson Commits to Containment “I am not going to be the President who saw Southeast Asia go the way China went.” - LBJ

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution “Resolved…the Congress…supports the…President, as Commander and Chief, to take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.” Public Law 88-408; 78 Stat. 384 * August 10, 1964

The Course of the War, 1965-1968 1965 – 184,000 1966 – 385,000 1967 – 485,000 1968 – 536,000

Tet Offensive January 30, 1968 Simultaneous surprise attacks throughout South Vietnam by the Viet Cong and NVA. Major psychological victory. Hue massacre – 3,000-5,000 killed by communists.

My Lai Massacre March 1968 U.S. troops murder over 400 Vietnamese. “We huddled them up. We made them squat down….I poured four clips into the group….Well, we kept right on firing….I still dream about it….Some nights, I can’t even sleep. I just lay there thinking about it.” – Pvt. Paul Meadlow

Public Opinion Turns Against War Tet Offensive My Lai TV No end in sight

1968 Presidential Election LBJ does not run Robert Kennedy assassinated Richard Nixon elected Has plan to get U.S. out of Vietnam

Kent State Massacre May 4, 1970 Nat. Guard Soldiers open fire on protesters demonstrating against expansion of war into Cambodia. 4 killed, 9 wounded

American Withdrawal January 1973 – U.S., North and South Vietnam and the Viet Cong sign Paris agreement. April 29, 1975 – Saigon falls amid American evacuation of its embassy. 1,000 Americans and 6,000 Vietnamese rescued.

After the War 2 dominoes did fall – Laos & Cambodia. 1.5 million Vietnamese fled by boat. >58,000 US killed >300,000 wounded >2,500 POW/MIA Vietnam Memorial in DC completed 1982 1995 – US restored full diplomatic relations with Vietnam Proved American technology and money could not always bring victory.