1. Vietnam 1954-1975

2. U.S. Military Involvement Begins zKennedy elected 1960 zIncreases military “advisors” to 16,000 zKennedy was assassinated just weeks later (Nov. 22)

3. Johnson Sends Ground Forces zRemember: Domino Theory and Containment

4. Johnson Sends Ground Forces zTonkin Gulf Resolution P “The Blank Check” *

5. U.S. Troop Deployments in Vietnam

6. The Ground War 1965-1968 zBody counts on TV every night (first “living room” war) zViet Cong supplies over the Ho Chi Minh Trail

7. The Air War 1965-1968 z1965: Sustained bombing of North Vietnam zOperation Rolling Thunder (March 2, 1965) zNapalm zAgent Orange

8. Who Is the Enemy? zVietcong zVietcong: P Farmers by day; guerillas at night. P Very patient people willing to accept many casualties. The guerilla wins if he does not lose, the conventional army loses if it does not win.Mao Zedong The guerilla wins if he does not lose, the conventional army loses if it does not win. -- Mao Zedong

9. The Tet Offensive, January 1968 zN. Vietnamese Army + Viet Cong attack South (attack 100 cities) zU.S. Army led by General Westmoreland beats back the offensive zBUT…it’s seen as an American defeat by the media

10. Impact of the Tet Offensive zDomestic U.S. Reaction: Distrust of Johnson Administration zHey, Hey LBJ! How many kids did you kill today?

11. Impact of the Vietnam War …I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President. Johnson announces (March, 1968):

12. American Morale Begins to Dip zDisproportionate representation of poor people and minorities. zSevere racial problems. zMajor drug problems.