Vietnam and the Space Race

 The U.S. and the Soviet Union were fighting the Cold War by spending money on the tools of war. Many of these tools were rockets, to send bombs across the world.  Americans felt that it would be dangerous to lose this race. They realized that if the Soviets could work or travel in space, they could easily spy on or attack the United States.  The space race began with both countries trying to be the first to get a human into space.

 The Soviet Union won the first round with its launch of Sputnik in  In response, the U.S. formed the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA).  In July 1969, the U.S. moved ahead in the race by sending a rocket to the moon with three men aboard. The space craft was Apollo 11.  Since 1969, the U.S. has led the world in space exploration.

 As part of the policy of containment, the U.S. tried to keep other countries from turning communist.  The U.S. government did not want to declare war against North Vietnam. For that reason, the fighting was officially called the Vietnam Conflict.

 By 1954, the U.S. was training the South Vietnamese to fight the communists.  By 1963, there were about 17,000 American soldiers in Vietnam.  Soon U.S. troops were fully involved in combat.  By 1969, there were more than 500,000 U.S. troops in Vietnam.  In 1973, U.S. troops withdrew.  In 1975, South Vietnam fell to communist North Vietnam.

 U.S. soldiers were dropped into jungles with mountainous terrain that was unfamiliar.  Guerilla warfare tactics were used that included random, surprise attacks that come from any direction at any time of day or night. Sometimes North Vietnamese soldiers did not wear uniforms so they could not be identified. They often used women and children in their attacks to deliver explosives to kill American soldiers.  Helicopters were used for the first time in war. It provided mobility in moving troops to various locations as well as evacuating the wounded.

 During the course of the Vietnam Conflict, each of the following men served as President of the U.S. and sent money, weapons, and/or troops to Vietnam: Dwight D. Eisenhower John F. Kennedy Lyndon B. Johnson Richard M. Nixon

 “ Unassisted, Viet-Nam cannot at this time produce and support the military formations essential to it or, equally important, the morale—the hope, the confidence, the pride—necessary to meet the dual threat of aggression from without and subversion within its borders.  …Strategically, South Viet-Nam’s capture by the Communists would bring their power several hundred miles into a hitherto free region. The remaining countries in Southeast Asia would be menaced by a great flanking movement…The loss of South Viet-Nam would set in motion a crumbling process that could, as it progressed, have grave consequences for us and for freedom.”

 “…the United States is determined to help Viet-Nam preserve its independence, protect its people against Communist assassins, and build a better life through economic growth.”

 “It may be helpful to outline four basic themes that govern our policy in Southeast Asia.  First, America keeps her word.  Second, the issue is the future of Southeast Asia as a whole.  Third, our purpose is peace.  Fourth, this is not just a jungle war, but a struggle for freedom on every front of human activity.”

 In a nationally televised major policy speech on Vietnam on November 3, 1969 President Nixon said his Administration had adopted a plan in co-operation with the South Vietnamese for the complete withdrawal of all U.S. combat ground forces "on an orderly scheduled timetable."

 At home in the Untied States, people watched the fighting in Vietnam on television. Because this was the first time battles could be filmed and seen on T.V., the fighting seemed more real and harsh than any war before.  Many people began to question what was happening in Vietnam.  Anti-war protesters held sit-ins and sang protest songs.  Some young men who did not want to join the army, burned their draft cards or moved to Canada. These men were called “draft dodgers.”

 Pop culture also began to change after the war.  “Pop” culture is the culture of average people.  Television changed how families lived.  By the 1950’s: Families watched TV shows like comedies, sports, and game shows while they ate dinner Homes and furniture changed to make room for TV's in the living room The whole country had access to television Television brought the outside world into people’s homes