Chapter 27 Vietnam Era

Prior Activity Cold War Continues Korean Conflict Still trying to contain communism Vietnam’s Past, WWII

The Beginnings Ho Chi Minh US supports France 8 years of fighting Communist Ask for help Wanted independence Vietminh US supports France 8 years of fighting Dienbienphu

Domino Theory in SW Asia US afraid Vietnam would become Communist Vietnam Divided: Geneva Accords North: Ho Chi Minh South: Ngo Dinh Diem Elections Fail Guerilla Warfare began Vietcong are established

American Role Eisenhower Kennedy LBJ US vs. SU and China Diem Corrupt LBJ US vs. SU and China The Gulf of Tonkin Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Escalated War

War Begins Massive Buildup Search and Destroy Tet Offensive 1965 Pleiku attacked 1968 ½ troops Search and Destroy Napalm The Agents (Orange, White) Tet Offensive Victory and defeat

Military Split Hawks: Supporters Doves: Opposers Draft: 1.8 million Opposition Draft Cards Border Jumping Conscientious objectors: people who refuse to participate in war because of a strong belief that war is wrong

The End in Sight Election of 1968 LBJ Declines to Run Hubert Humphrey steps in Chicago convention: Police riots Richard Nixon nominated George Wallace – third-party candidate

Nixons Promises Vietnamization: let the South Vietnamese fight Down Scaling: August 1969: 25k came home April 1970: 150k came home Expansion Troops go into Laos and Cambodia Ho Chi Minh Trail

Effects Little impact on N. Vietnam Cambodia thrown into Civil War More protesting

Violence turned Bad Kent State University: National Guardsmen fire on students Jackson State College: 2 dead/12 injured

Peace Talks in Paris Henry Kissinger, National Security Advisor Continued Bombing Paris Peace Accords Last troops were out by March 1973 Convoy of Terrors US evacuation

Uncertain Times Moon Landing Economic Problems Cold War Tensions July 20, 1969: Apollo 11 Economic Problems Military spending = inflation Inflation: a steady rise in prices Economic recession and high unemployment Cold War Tensions Chinese civil war/ Korean conflict

Watergate Scandal 1972: Nixon was reelected 5 men of campaign were arrested Watergate Trials Evidence concealed by Nixon Nixon Resigns Gerald Ford assumes office

Ford Presidency Pardon of Nixon Whip Inflation Now Tax cut Evacuate more than 50k S. Vietnamese 1976 election, Ford is beat out by Jimmy Carter