Vietnam War

The Growth of Vietnamese Nationalism 1940 Japan invades Vietnam Vietnam wants to take control of their government No longer wanted foreign control Ho Chi Minh Lived in Europe 1919 petitioned for freedom from French Control He petitioned at the Versailles Peace Conference He was ignored Visited the Soviet Union and advocated for communism Created Vietminh United communist and non-communist to get Japan out of the country

American Involvement in Vietnam America Aids the French 1946, French returned to Vietnam to take back colonial power Needed the assistance of the US The US was against colonialism Feared that Vietnam would become communist if there was no intervention. Domino Theory If Vietnam fell to communism then the rest of the region would fall to communism. Guerillas Troops that blended in with civilians Hard for enemies to detect and fight against.

Kennedy Takes Over Became president in 1961 Did not want communism to spread in Southeast Asia Number of American Servicemen jumped 2,000 in 1961 15,000 in 1963 Diem’s government was unpopular He made strategic hamlets Villages surrounded by weapons Uprooted villagers to live in these hamlets People were very mad about having to leave their farms and loved one behind.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution The United States send Troops Johnson and Vietnam Gulf of Tonkin Resolution The United States send Troops August 2, 1964 Reported that North Vietnamese boats shot torpedoes at American destroyer boats “Take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.” Congress gave President Johnson the right to start war 1964 Vietcong bombed bases where Americans were stationed. Johnson’s approval ratings jumped from 41% to 60% with the bombings. 80% of Americans feared that Southeast Asia would fall to Communism if America did not get involved.

Ho Chi Minh Trail Jungle paths North Vietnam sent supplies to Vietcong fighters The path went through Cambodia and Laos Never attacked by US because the trail wasn’t in Vietnam

Anti-War Movement Hawks and Doves Anger at the Draft Hawks Doves People who wanted the war to continue 1968 53% wanted a stronger military action in Vietnam Doves People who wanted the war to stop 24% wanted to end the war College students could defer being drafted Working class families had to send sons to fight because they could not afford college. 1969 62% of battle deaths came from drafted servicemen Disproportionate numbers amongst minority servicemen

1968 The Tet Offensive Johnson drops out of the race Vietnamese New Year Guerilla fighters launched attacks on Air Bases in South Vietnam Invaded the Embassy in Saigon. America fought back and almost destroyed the Vietcong The American people were distraught that an almost defeated people could put up such a fight. People lost hope Johnson drops out of the race Eugene McCarthy decides to challenge President Johnson for the Democratic Presidential Nomination. March 31, 1968 Johnson decides not to run for another term of office. Nixon becomes President Republican candidate Declared that he would end the war in Vietnam

The War winds down Linkage Vietnamization Massacre at My Lai Improving relationships with China and the Soviet Union This was to cut back on the aid both of these countries sent to North Vietnam Vietnamization Withdrawal of American Troops with South Vietnam troops taking over. Massacre at My Lai Spring of 1968 Lieutenant William Calley Sent to prison for war crimes Massacred unarmed civilians Older men, women, and children The United States leave the war