The Vietnam War 1954 - 1975

Vietnam

Background to the War France controlled “Indochina” since the late 19th century Japan took control during World War II With U.S. aid, France attempted to take back Vietnam after WWII The French lost control to Ho Chi Minh’s Viet Minh Ho Chi Minh had been fighting for Vietnamese independence since World War I. The U.S. gave France aid to win its support in American anticommunist efforts in Western Europe.

North v. South Vietnam

Division of Vietnam Vietnam was divided at 17th parallel Ho Chi Minh’s claimed the North Ngo Dinh Diem claimed control of the South There were supposed to be elections to decide who would be in charge but Diem backed out leading to a military conflict Realizing he would Diem backs out of elections.

U.S. Military Involvement Begins Repressive dictatorial rule by Diem leads to the people being abused The U.S. aided Diem’s government by sending financial and military aid Kennedy elected president and gives Diem more aid But, in 1963 JFK supports an overthrow by the Vietnamese military that kills Diem and his brother Realizing he would Diem backs out of elections.

Johnson Takes Control JFK is assassinated putting Truman in charge who sends more troops He believes in the Domino Theory that if one country fell to communism the surrounding countries would also fall Johnson is elected and the military is attacked “unprovoked” in the Gulf of Tonkin Incident which Johnson takes as a chance to send lots of troops to Vietnam What Johnson told Congress What he didn’t tell Congress: He had already written the resolution before the “incident.” The U.S. naval vessels were aiding ARVN in commando raids in North Vietnam at the time. He learned that the attack probably hadn’t occurred. The U.S. navy was not on the “high seas” but in N. Vietnam’s 12 mile territorial limit.

U.S. Troop Deployments in Vietnam Kennedy’s advisors were clearly fighting a covert war by 1963. MacNamara has suggested that he believes Kennedy would have pulled the U.S. out, but evidence in inconclusive. JFK realizes Diem is a liability; offers quiet support to a Vietnamese military coup d’etat. The coup results in the brutal murders of Diem and his brother The Vietnamese generals overthrow one another. A relatively stable, but tyrannical government emerges. It is little better than Diem’s.

The Tet Offensive, January 1968 N. Vietnamese Army + Viet Cong attack South simultaneously and take every major southern city U.S. + Army of the Republic of Vietnam – South Vietnam beat back the offensive and technically win BUT…it’s seen as an American defeat by the media Hey, Hey LBJ! How many kids did you kill today?

American Morale Begins to Drop Too many of the people going to war were poor people and minorities This led to severe racial problems Major drug problems in battle causing soldiers to become addicted

US Anti-War Demonstrations People started to doubt why we are in the war Major protests started around the nation to end the war

Nixon on Vietnam Johnson does not run again and Nixon’s campaign promised an end to the war Vietnamization – encourage the SV to take more responsibility for fighting the war But, Nixon expanded the conflict The “Secret War” We began fighting in Cambodia and Laos without the public really knowing Nixon’s “secret” plan never materializes. He involved us more. “Peace with Honor” We’ll win befoe we withdraw. Expansion:Cambodia invaded in 1970: Ho Chi Minh Trail Laos invaded in 1971: Ho Chi Minh Trail

The Ceasefire with America 1973 Ceasefire Conditions: U.S. to remove all troops North Vietnam could leave troops already in South Vietnam North Vietnam would resume war Last American troops left South Vietnam on March of 1973 1975: North Vietnam defeats South Vietnam Many U.S.-loyal South Vietnamese attempt to flee for fear of execution by the North.

America abandons its embassy North Vietnam wins in 1975 April 30, 1975 America abandons its embassy

A United Vietnam