History of Vietnam Conflict France controlled region from 19 th century to WWII Post WWII, Ho Chi Minh declares Vietnam independent Vietminh formed to resist colonial rule Despite massive US aid (domino theory), France will struggle against communist guerillas believe it or not, France surrenders Geneva Accords cuts Vietnam in half

US Intervenes Corrupt and oppressive South Vietnamese President Diem cancels elections Vietcong created in 1957 to resist Diem Minh supplies them through the Ho Chi Minh Trail US-led coup takes place Nov. 1, 1963 South more chaotic after Diem’s death

LBJ escalates US role Feared being labeled soft on communism, LBJ ups US role Diem’s successors fail to curb communist influence in South August 4, 1964 Gulf of Tonkin Incident increases tension between US and North Vietnam USS Maddox and Turner Joy engage North Vietnamese PT boats US damages all three PT boats

OUTCOMES LBJ convinces Congress to pass Gulf of Tonkin Resolutions, grants LBJ undefined power to wage war in SE Asia Feb. 1965, 8 US troops killed by VC in Pleiku Operation Rolling Thunder ordered in retaliation Massive 3 year bombing campaign against the North; 300,000+ missions, 922 US planes shot down, 860,000+ tons of bombs dropped, 90,000+ killed on ground, 700+ US pilots KIA By June 1965, 50,000 US troops on the ground

The War escalates Oct. 1965, 1 st major battle between US and NVA takes place in the Ia Drang Valley US wins a resounding victory, forces the NVA and VC to change to guerilla tactics and allows General Westmoreland to seek more troops US troops will struggle to fight a guerilla war against a hidden enemy VC uses tunnels, booby traps, ambushes and hit and run tactics

US tactics “Body count”-track number of KIA, WIA, MIA after each battle “Winning their hearts and minds”-campaign to gain support by showing we were the good guys “Search and destroy”-duh Chemical warfare-naplam and Agent Orange

Sinking Morale Brutal conditions, guerilla warfare, instability of S. Vietnamese govt. and stalemate took its toll on US soldiers Drugs, alcohol, “fragging” become the answer for some

The War at home War begins to drag on, Great Society programs begin to suffer and taxes go up War evolves into “TV” war People begin to doubt news reports (credibility gap) More and more young Americans begin to actively protest and oppose the war effort by 1967

War Divides The US Draft rules favor upper class Most US ground troops were minorities and lower class whites Blacks made up disproportionate number of battle deaths Women will serve in combat areas as nurses

Roots of Opposition The New Left pushes for social and political change SDS (U. of Michigan) and FSM (U. Cal Berkeley) tactics begin to spread to other colleges AS more college kids become draft eligible, campus protests increase Protest becomes resistance as war drags on War divides US like no other event since the Civil War

Anti-War Movement Grows By 1967, US divided into 2 camps, Hawks and Doves LBJ remains firm on his policies Dec. 1967, LBJ takes a hit when his Sec. of Defense McNamara resigns This sets stage for a tumultuous 1968 which will see things take a turn for the worse

1968: The Turning Point VC and NVA take advantage of Tet cease-fire to launch massive surprise attacks all over South Vietnam Heaviest fighting: Hue- 5 week battle sees 5K civilians murdered, 8K NVA and VC killed, US regains control of city Khesanh- Marines under siege for 2 months, outnumbered 8 to 1 =fvst =fvst Saigon-US Embassy is overrun by VC for 8 hours

OUTCOMES Cronkite declares the war unwinnable LBJ’s approval rating slips to 30% after Tet Democratic Party takes steps to prevent LBJ from running in ’68 By June 1968, MLK and RFK assassinated and campus protests erupt all over US

1968 Election With LBJ out, Democrats support Humphrey DNC held in Chicago where tough Mayor Daley warned protestors not to interfere The protesters show up en masse and quickly clash with police and Illinois National Guard, riots ensue Tensions spill over into Convention with Daley clashing with delegates

The 1968 Election After the chaos in Chicago, the Republicans are able to take advantage of split and bad times Richard Nixon promises in vague terms to end the war and bring back law and order to US This coupled with Wallace’s entry and the disarray of the Democrats allows Nixon to win The chaotic year 1968 comes to an end with new leadership and hope for change