2. The Vietnam Era

3. Why did America Become Involved in Vietnam? Domino Theory – the belief that if one nation in Asia fell to communism, neighboring nations would follow. The United States wanted to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia.

4. American Involvement in Vietnam after 1964 Gulf of Tonkin Resolution napalm Bombing of North Vietnam Agent Orange Search and destroy missions Guerrilla warfare

5. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Congress passed this resolution which allowed the president to “take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United states”. This gave Johnson broad authority to use American forces in Vietnam.

6. Bombing of North Vietnam The United States unleashed an intense bombing campaign called Operation Rolling Thunder. Many planes attacked the Ho Chi Minh Trail which was a North Vietnamese supply route. The bombing increased in intensity from 1965 through 1968.

7. Search and Destroy Missions Our United States troops sought out the Vietcong or North Vietnamese units and destroyed them. Ground troops coordinated their moves with air support.

8. Agent Orange A chemical herbicide sprayed in Vietnam to clear out jungles and tall grasses. Believed to have contaminated many American and Vietcong soldiers causing serious health problems.

9. Guerrilla Warfare A hit and run technique used in fighting a war Used tactics such as sudden ambushes

10. Napalm An explosive that burned intensely used to destroy jungle growth. Both the North Vietnamese and Vietcong forces used napalm in flamethrowers, devices that expel fuel or a burning stream of liquids Both sides also used planes to drop the napalm.

11. Why is 1968 considered a turning point in American History? Because of …… Tet OffensiveCredibility gap Johnson’s refusal to seek another term as president Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Assassination of Robert Kennedy Election of Richard M. Nixon Beginning of Paris Peace talks

12. Tet Offensive On January 31, 1968 (The Vietnamese New Year) the North Vietnamese and the Vietcong launched a series of attacks throughout South Vietnam. These attacks became known as the Tet Offensive and they marked a turning point in the war.

13. Credibility Gap President Johnson’s Administration developed a credibility gap. This means very few Americans trusted the administration’s statements about the war.

14. Johnson refuses to run for a second term Events in Vietnam and the growing antiwar movement disturbed President Johnson. On March 31, 1968, Johnson appeared on television and announced “I shall not seek and I will not accept the nomination of my party for another term as your president”.

15. Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. On April 4, 1968, an assassin, James Earl Ray, shot and killed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee. King died committed to a moral battle of non- violent protests,, but his death sparked off violence in 125 U.S. cities.

16. Assassination of Robert Kennedy On June 5, 1968, After winning the California primary election for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States, Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated by a Palestinian immigrant.

17. Richard Nixon wins the presidency of 1968 Nixon tapped into voters’ conservative sentiment. He pledged to represent the “ quiet majority ” of Americans - the non- shouters, non demonstrators. He called these people the “ silent majority ”.

18. Beginning of the Paris Peace talks On March 31, 1968, after consulting advisors, President Johnson appeared on television to announce “a new step toward peace” – he would halt the bombing of North Vietnamese cities. He asked the North Vietnamese for a comparable action so that peace negotiations could begin.

19. “Peace with Honor” Nixon pledged “peace with honor”. He wanted to pull American forces out of Vietnam but he did not want American withdrawal to be seen as a sign of defeat. Nixon’s strategy had 3 parts: –Reform of the selective service system (draft) –Giving the South Vietnamese more responsibility in fighting the war (Vietnamization) –Intense bombing

20. Paris Peace Talks President Nixon and his administration continued to negotiate with representatives of the North Vietnamese government. Nixon sent Henry Kissinger, his national security advisor, to meet in private with the North Vietnamese foreign minister. In the fall of 1972 they reached a tentative agreement.

21. This agreement collapsed because the South Vietnamese president objected to allowing the North Vietnamese forces to remain in South Vietnam. Nixon stood firm and the North Vietnamese returned to the peace talks. The South Vietnamese accepted the peace terms and signed a peace agreement on January 27, 1973. Vietnam

22. Withdrawal of American Forces from Vietnam in 1973 In 1973, the United States agreed to pull its remaining troops out of Vietnam. The North Vietnamese agreed to return all American prisoners of war. The Paris Peace Accords ended American involvement in Vietnam, but did not end the conflict.

23. White Christmas Americans still living in Saigon were told that when they heard the song “White Christmas” on the radio the were to report immediately to the American embassy for evacuation. On April 30, 1975 “White Christmas” played on the radio.

24. Doves and Hawks Students and other opponents of the war became known as doves. Supporters of the war became known as hawks.

25. Kent State The Cambodian invasion provoked a storm of anti-war protests on campuses across the nation. At Kent State University in Ohio, students burned a military building on campus. The governor ordered 3000 National Guard troops to Kent State. The National Guard told protesting students to evacuate the area. Some students started throwing stones.

26. Tear gas was shot toward students and they began to run. One National Guard unit chased some students and for reasons that are unclear, opened fire. 4 students were dead and 13 more were wounded….

28. Protest Songs Many popular songwriters and singers expressed their opinions through popular protest songs during the 1960s and 1970s. Example – Bob Dylan’s songs The Times They are a Changin Blowin’ In The Wind

29. Counterculture A social movement whose values go against those of established society Some common symbols of the counterculture are: –Torn blue jeans –Long hair for men

31. What were the immediate and long term effects of the Vietnam War? Saigon fell to the communists in 1975. American groups scoured the Vietnamese countryside for our MIAs (Missing in Action). The Vietnam War cost the United States over 150 billion dollars. Our federal deficit expanded because of this. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was constructed in Washington, D.C. and dedicated in 1982. War Powers Act was signed requiring the President to notify Congress when troops are being sent abroad that may see combat.

32. Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial The construction of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Washington, D.C. provided a step toward healing the country’s wounds. It is made of polished black granite and takes on the shape of a private’s wings. It bears the name of all the Americans who died or were missing in action in the conflict.