The United States and the War in Vietnam

Costs of the War More than 58,000 Americans killed 1.5 to 2 Million Vietnamese killed Cost to the US more than $ 100 billion Cost to Vietnam in destruction, disruption, dislocation, disease, and more 18 million gallons of toxic defoliants

Main Question Why did the United States fight a war in Vietnam?

Outline I.My Answer II.My Evidence i.Truman ii.Eisenhower iii.Kennedy iv.Johnson v.Nixon III.Lessons worth Learning

Why did the United States fight a war in Vietnam? Publicly Stated Reasons 1)“To help South Vietnam” 2)“To contain Communism” 3)“To preserve American credibility”

Why did the United States fight a war in Vietnam? “Real” Reasons 1)To contain Communism 2)To preserve American credibility 3)Domestic Politics 4)Hubris

Truman: From Colonialism to the Cold War Viet Minh fight against Japan during WWII Ho Chi Minh reaches out to the US 1946 war between France and Viet Minh 1950 US begins direct support of France –Recognizes French Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam as “free states” in Feb –Economic and military aid –American military and intelligence “advisors”

Truman: From Colonialism to the Cold War Why? US need for French support in Europe People’s Republic of China, Oct PRC and the Soviet Union recognize the “Democratic Republic of Vietnam” Jan The Korean War, begins June, 1950

Eisenhower: From the French to Diem From , US pays for 80% of the war Dien Bien Phu, March-May Geneva Convention, April-July, 1954 –Divides Vietnam –Rise of Ngo Dinh Diem with US support –1956 elections to unify Vietnam Resistance to Diem grows steadily 1960 National Liberation Front formed

Eisenhower: From the French to Diem Why? “The possible consequences of the loss are just incalculable to the Free World.” “This war in Indochina would absorb our troops by divisions.” Eisenhower a cautious former General

Kennedy: From 1000 to “Advisors” Battle of Ap Bac, Jan Buddhist protests in South Vietnam, May- June 1963 Diem killed in Coup, Nov. 1, 1963 North Vietnamese soldiers enter South in large numbers (10,000 NVA with 170,000 VC)

Kennedy: From 1000 to “Advisors” Why? To contain Communism Domestic political pressure Belief in American power

Johnson: ,000 “advisors” to 586,000 troops Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, Aug Air strikes against North Vietnam March 1965 first American combat units arrive in South Vietnam By 1966, 180,000 American troops in SV By 1968, 586,000

Johnson: ,000 “advisors” to 550,000 troops Why? Surrounded by JFK’s advisors Deaths of Americans in Vietnam Communist containment Domestic Political Pressure

Johnson: ,000 “advisors” to 586,000 troops Tet Offensive in Jan, 1968 –Coordinated attack throughout South Vietnam –84,000 PLAF soldiers involved –Heavy losses for PLAF, but psychological victory Johnson drops out of Presidential race in March, 1968

Nixon: the long road to “peace with honor” “Vietnamization” 1970 South Vietnamese forces with US support invade Cambodia 1971 similar invasion of Laos 1972 US Air Force heaviest bombing of NV

Nixon: the long road to “peace with honor” Nixon visits China, Feb Nixon visits Soviet Union, May 72 “Détente” makes cold war concerns less pressing 1973 a negotiated cease fire allows US troops to withdraw 1974 North Vietnamese troops invade SV Spring 1975 NV troops capture Saigon

Nixon: The long road to “peace with honor” Why? Domestic politics The Nixon Doctrine The Madman Theory

Why did the United States not succeed militarily? Should the US have targeted “hearts and minds”? Should the US have invaded North Vietnam? My conclusion: US did not have the support of most Vietnamese people.

What I Learned North Vietnam was an oppressive, undemocratic state. –2 Million refugees from Vietnam after 1975

What I learned Be cautious when planning the lives of others. Recognize the opportunity cost of war.

Want to learn more? “Bibliographic Essay,” in America’s Lost War, by Charles Neu. Whitehousetapes.org