1. The Vietnam War

2. Going to War in Vietnam
After World War II, American officials were concerned that Vietnam would fall to communism and ESCALATED US involvement there.
Back ground Information:
Indochina had been under foreign control for hundreds of years
The Chinese had controlled them for hundreds of years
In the late 1800’s through WWII, the French ruled Vietnam
In the 1900’s, Vietnamese wanted to be free from foreign rule Ho Chi Minh
1930- Ho Chi Minh founded the Indochinese Communist Party & hoped to free Vietnam.
1940’s- Ho Chi Minh created the Viet Minh (Communists & Non-Communists) who fought to expel the Japanese from Vietnam during WWII.
During WWII, the US supported the Viet Minh with aid to expel Japan.
1945- Japan surrendered to the US & Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam an independent nation.
1946- French troops returned to Vietnam to retake the nation.

3. INDOCHINA BEFORE THE GENEVA ACCORDS

4. America Aids the French in Vietnam
Helping the French in Vietnam after WWII:
The French drove the Vietminh forces into hiding
The Vietminh fought back & gained huge areas of countryside
The French asked the US for help— Pres. Truman decided to send military aid to the French.
Pres. Eisenhower –continued to help France hold Vietnam (due to the “Domino Theory”)
The French struggled in Vietnam due to the Vietminh’s fighting tactics.
The War grew unpopular in France---due to cost & casualties.
1954- France suffered a major defeat at Dien Bien Phu & decided to make peace with the Vietminh and withdraw from Vietnam.
The Geneva Accords
Negotiations to end the conflict in Vietnam took place
Divided Vietnam at the 17th Parallel
Ho Chi Minh & Vietminh in control of North Vietnam
Pro-Western government in South Vietnam (Supported by the US) LED BY Ngo Dinh Diem
Laos & Cambodia granted their independence
1956- elections to be held & unite gov’t under ONE government– NEVER TOOK PLACE

6. Escalation of US Involvement In Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh organized a new guerilla fighting group –The Viet Cong
Fighting between the North Vietnam & South Vietnam intensified
Pres. John F. Kennedy and Vietnam
US involvement in Vietnam grew under the Kennedy ( “ESCALATION”)
– US military in South Vietnam grew from 2, ,000 (MOSTLY ADVISERS).
Urged Ngo Dinh Diem (S. Vietnamese leader) to reform & introduce more democracy
Pres. Lyndon Johnson & Vietnam
US involvement in Vietnam grew –ESCALATION
The Gulf of Tonkin Incident (August 1964)
Pres. Johnson announced that North Vietnamese torpedo boats had fired on US two American destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin.
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (Aug. 1964)
Congress authorized the President to do whatever he wanted in Vietnam
This gave him a “blank check” in Vietnam
Congress gave the pres. THEIR WAR POWERS.

7. The US Sends Combat Troops to Vietnam
The Viet Cong Increased attacks on US ADVISERS in Vietnam
Battle of Pleiku (1965)
8 Americans dead & 100 wounded
Pres. Johnson ordered bombing of North Vietnam by US planes.
US public opinion polls supported the President
1965- Operation Rolling Thunder- a sustained US bombing of North Vietnam
Pres. Johnson ordered the 1st US COMBAT TROOPS in Vietnam
Vietnam—A Bloody Stalemate
By 1966, the US had over 300,000 combat troops in Vietnam
American fire power, technology etc. led to great confidence
The Viet Cong frustrated US forces with unconventional fighting.

8. A Bloody Stalemate The Viet Cong Used Unconventional Tactics
They blended in the civilian population
Vanished quickly in thick vegetation or local population
Used ambushes, “booby traps”, and guerilla tactics.
Support from North Vietnam; North Vietnam got help from China & USSR
Ho Chi Minh Trail —ran through Laos & Cambodia
US Tactics
‘Search & Destroy’ Missions
Use of Napalm Bombs and Agent Orange

9. Vietnam Divides the US
chapter 26 SECTION 2

10. The Antiwar Movement
When US troops entered the war in 1965, most American supported the effort. As the war continued with a stalemate and distrust of US officials increased, Americans questioned the war.
The Creditability Gap Grew
As the war continued, Americans grew distrustful of government officials.
Gen. Westmoreland (US Commander)- the enemy is near defeat & the war is near an end.
Vietnam War –was the 1st ‘televised war---media reports often contradicted what our leaders were saying.
1966- Senate committee began to investigate & hold hearings on Vietnam
Teach-Ins
On college campuses, professors led classes on issues surrounding the war and leading opposition to it.
Draft Protest
Until 1969, college students were able to defer going into the military until after graduation
Working class black & white kids were more likely to be drafted
Protests against the draft increased
500,000 draftees refused to go, some fled to Canada, some went to prison
Student Protests
April Students for a Democratic Society led a march on Washington
Oct 1967—SDS led a march to Lincoln Memorial
** th Amendment was passed—lowered voting age from 21 to 18.

11. Hawks & Doves
As opposition to the war grew, Pres. Johnson stood strong on continuing the fight.
Johnson dismissed the protesters as naïve.
A public opinion poll in 1968—53% favored stronger action in Vietnam
1968- the US was divided between ‘Doves” and “Hawks”
Doves– people who wanted to end the war.
Hawks– people who wanted to continue the fight.

12. 1968: THE PIVOTAL YEAR The Tet Offensive (1968)
Massive surprise attack by the Vietcong on South Vietnam
After a month, US & S. Vietnamese forces pushed the enemy back.
American people were shocked that an enemy near defeat could surprise our leaders so much.
Army asked for additional 209,000 US troops
Many Americans questioned our leaders= credibility gap grew.
News man Walter Cronkite—”it seems more certain that this war will end in stalemate”.
Public opinion no longer favored Pres. Johnson
** Pres. Johnson announced he would not seek reelection in 1968.

13. A Season of Violence April 1968– MLK Jr. Assassinated
June Robert Kennedy assassinated on his way to winning Democratic nomination
Democratic National Convention– violent clash outside between police and anti-war protesters.
The 1968 Election
Republicans nominated Richard Nixon
Democrats nominated Hubert Humphrey
Independent Party –George Wallace (racist, segregationist from Alabama)
Campaign Issues
Nixon promised to unify the nation & restore law & order
Nixon said he had a plan to end the war in Vietnam.
Nixon won!!!