The Vietnam War Mr. Doherty / Mrs. T

Lyndon B. Johnson Becomes 36 th President after Kennedy’s Assassination.

Where is Vietnam?

Vietnam Divided Vietnam gains independence from France in Vietnam is divided North and South. North received aid from Soviet Union. South received aid from U.S.A.

However it was an extremely costly war….. 58,159 United States soldiers died. 1,724 were reported missing. 303,635 were severely wounded Total casualties from the allied side was 315,831.

Some countries that were involved.. The anti communists were South Vietnam, the US, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand. The communists side consisted of North Vietnam, China, Soviet Union.

We’re in enemy territory now…

Welcome to “Agent Orange”

Large quantities of this substance were sprayed over the jungles of Vietnam by our fighter planes.

What can this stuff do to people??

Another weapon that was used in the Vietnam war was Napalm Napalm is a chemical gel mixed with gasoline that is highly flammable. Napalm was a weapon of choice used by our Air Force and Navy. We used it against tanks, troops, buildings, and railway tunnels. Weapons of choice include bombs and flame throwers.

Vietcong Communists living in South, supported by North. Guerrilla warfare- hit and run tactics Favors those most familiar w/ the land “The farmer you waved to from your jeep in the day…would be the guy with the gun out looking for you at night.”

Peasant Vietcong

A new strategic method is used called Cu Chi tunnels in South Vietnam by the Viet cong

The Viet Cong also used unconventional methods of attack!!

Side closing Panji Trap and Spike board

Grenade Trap

Mace Trap..probably the nastiest of them all…

Domino Theory If one nation in an area becomes communist, others will follow.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution N. Vietnamese attack U.S. ship in Gulf of Tonkin Resolution allows the President to “take all necessary measures to protect U.S. troops in Southeast Asia.”

United States Divided Protests – argue that it’s a civil war – the U.S. should stay out…M.Y.O.B!!

Tet Offensive Major turning point in Vietnam War American embassy is attacked in capital of S.Vietnam

War Ends 1969-Nixon begins sending troops home Cease fire is signed.

Results of Vietnam War More than 58,000 U.S. soldiers are killed War Powers Act – President must inform Congress b/f sending troops into battle. Congress can order the President to bring troops home.