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The Vietnam War Part 1: Tensions Build 1945-1956
How did nationalism lead to the Vietnam War? How did the U.S. become involved in the Vietnam War?
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Vietnam’s Past =Controlled!
1.) Vietnam’s History Vietnam’s Past =Controlled! China, France, Japan Rise of Nationalism: young leader, Ho Chi Minh is determined to make Vietnam Independent. Minh’s flaw…he’s communist! After WWII Japan leaves, but France wants back in
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2.) U.S. EARLY Involvement USSR China Korea Vietnam??
1946 = French-Vietcong War Vietcong = Ho Chi Minh’s troops U.S. did not think France should control Vietnam, but what was the alternative?...Communism? Eisenhower’s = protecting against domino theory By 1954, U.S. paying ¾ the cost of the war USSR China Korea Vietnam??
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3.) Vietnam is Divided 1954: Vietcong’s guerrilla tactics = wearing down France May 7, 1954 = Dien Bien Phu (French Outpost) Vietcong attack defeat France Geneva Accord (Paris) 1.) Vietnam was the 17th Parallel North = Ho Chi Minh (communist) South= Ngo Dinh Diem (pro-West) 2.) Cambodia = independent
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Ho Chi Minh Ngo Dinh Diem
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The Vietnam War Part 2: Increased U.S Involvement (1956-1968)
What was John F. Kennedy’s stance on U.S. involvement in Vietnam? How did the Johnson Administration escalate American involvement
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2.) U.S. EARLY Involvement 1968 1965 1975
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South= Ngo Dinh Diem (pro-West)
JFK and Vietnam ( ) Vietnam was the 17th Parallel North = Ho Chi Minh (communist) South= Ngo Dinh Diem (pro-West) Ngo Dinh Diem 1956= refused a nationwide election…far that it would be “fixed” Ho Chi Minh and Vietcong = angry, start to arm themselves. CIVIL WAR Kennedy = sends 15,000 military advisors to train South Vietnamese army
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Ngo Dinh Diem = not a popular leader
JFK and Vietnam ( ) Ngo Dinh Diem = not a popular leader 1963 = He’s Catholic, he outlaws Buddhism
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JFK and Vietnam ( ) Kennedy = Strategic Hamlets: troops armed villages where peasants were moved.
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Ho Chi Minh Whose team are we on? Ngo Dinh Diem
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USA aids in the assassination of Diem
JFK and Vietnam ( ) Nov. 1, 1963 USA aids in the assassination of Diem Nov. 22, 1963 JFK is assassinated!
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Johnson and Vietnam (1963-1968)
After JFK death who is in office? Lyndon B. Johnson = President Robert McNamara = Secretary of Defense Dean Rusk = Secretary of State William Westmoreland = U.S. commander S.V Withdraw Troops? A.Johnson doesn’t = afraid it would look like U.S. gave up B.1964 Re-Election Year! U.S. Ships attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin (truth? Propaganda?)
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Gulf of Tonkin What is the purpose of Johnson’s message? What happened to spark it? What does Johnson say the US is obligated to do? What are Johnson’s four propositions? What is Lyndon Johnson asking for? What is the tone of Johnson’s message?
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But, War was never Declared?
2.) Johnson and Vietnam Johnson and Vietnam ( ) But, War was never Declared? Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (1964) A. Congress gave power of war to the President “take all necessary measures to repeal any armed attack” B. 1965: LBJ sends 50,000 combat troops C. Operation Rolling Thunder = bomb N. Vietnam D. 1968: 500,000 troops
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1968 = Johnson did not seek re-election
I report to you that our country is challenged at home and abroad: that it is our will that is being tried and not our strength; our sense of purpose and not our ability to achieve a better America. I'm tired. I'm tired of feeling rejected by the American people. I'm tired of waking up in the middle of the night worrying about the war. Doing what's right isn't the problem. It is knowing what's right. 1968 = Johnson did not seek re-election
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Fighting the Vietcong Cu Chi Tunnel (Saigon) 130 Miles!
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Stalemate Emerges A. 1965: 165,000 Soldiers in Vietnam
B. North (Vietcong Tactics)- Frustrating: Ambushes Booby traps Guerilla Tactics Blending in with population C. American/South “Search and Destroy” missions Completely bomb/destroy landscape (Napalm) Agent Orange – Chemical that strips leaves
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Determined Enemy A. No intention of surrender
B. Ho Chi Minh Trail: Extensive supply line C. Support from Soviets/China D. Johnson put limits on war E Deaths: Americans: 6,700 Vietcong: 220,000
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1. Selective Service System = The Draft
Who went to war? Who Did not? ( ) 1. Selective Service System = The Draft -Lotto system used to call up men between 18-26 2. You Get to Stay Home! College Deferment: Males in College = did not go to war. Usually wealthy/white Conscientious Objector (CO) = people who has moral/religious issues with the war = you still went, just no into combat People who flee to Canada Medical reasons (handicaps)
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Who went to war? Who Did not? (1965-1975)
3. These people go to war: The Middle Class = can’t afford college = get drafted African Americans Af. Ams = 10% of American Population, BUT, makeup 20% of Vietnam combat deaths Women Only 10,000 = nurses, Red Cross, USO (entertainment)
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4. Anger at the Draft College kids could defer
Low-income end up being sent Large minority discrepancy This large number angered Civil Rights leaders Draft calls increased – 500,000 people refused to go Protests Voting age 18 (26th Amendment)
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Teach-Ins Gatherings to discuss issues with the war (Teachers/Students) Spread throughout the country People protested for many reasons
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Music Give Peace a Chance – John Lennon Agent Orange – Joe Macdonald
Agent Orange – Joe Macdonald I Ain’t Marching Anymore - Phil Ochs
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7. Johnson’s Waning Credibility
What is the Gov saying: Westmoreland claims Vietcong is weakening. But, in Reality… 1968: North Vietnamese & Vietcong launch a major attack on South Vietnam called the… Tet Offensive (Jan. 30, 1968) New Year’s Eve, N.V Vietcong invades 30 S.V cities Vietcong lost, but looked really bad for the USA (eliminated credibility) TURNING POINT
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7. Johnson’s Waning Credibility
1968 Election Eugene McCarthy (Dove) ran against Won 40% of primary in NH Robert Kennedy jumps in Johnson stuns nation – withdraws
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8, Season of Violence (1968) MLK Assassinated (James Earl Ray)
Sparked riots Robert Kennedy (Sirhan Sirhan) Protests at Dem. National Convention in Chicag0 Riots ensued
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9. 1968:Election Richard Nixon (R) Unify Nation & End War
winner Richard Nixon (R) Unify Nation & End War Hubert Humphrey (D) First continue with Johnson’s plan . . . Then promise to end bombing of N. Vietnam
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10. Nixon’s Plan Henry Kissinger - Use diplomacy to end war Linkage:
make nice with Soviets and China so they will stop aiding N. V. Vietnamization: withdraw US troops and have S.V. take care of themselves *Nixon withdraws troops but steps up bombing campaign
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Turmoil At Home 1.) My Lai Massacre – 200 unarmed S. Vietnamese
Other REALLY Bad things that were happening: 1.) My Lai Massacre – 200 unarmed S. Vietnamese 2.) U.S. invaded Cambodia (1970) Ho Chi Minh Trail = how China & Russia got supplies to Vietcong
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My Lai Massacre
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Turmoil At Home 3.) Kent State Shootings:
Other REALLY Bad things that were happening: 3.) Kent State Shootings: National Guard = 9 wounded, 4 killed 4.) Pentagon Papers are Published 7,000 page doc = details America lying to us about the war and other things…
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The Final Days of War (1968-1975)
Oct 1972 announce peace at hand Nixon wins re-election in a landslide Peace talks breakdown Christmas bombing to force negotiations Jan 27, 1973 sign agreement (after 8 yrs) US withdraw and exchange POW No resolution on South’s future
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The Final Days of War (1968-1975)
But…in the end… 8.April 30, 1974 = The Fall of Saigon North Vietnam invades and takes over Operation Frequent Wind: UN tires to rescue S.V civilians So today Vietnam is reunited and… Communist! NEED to talk about the end and troop withdrawal
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Legacy of Vietnam 1.$$$$$$$$ Cost US 170 Billion dollars 2.Human Toll
Vietnam - 1 million+ people US – 58,000+ deaths and over 300,000+ injured 3.Psychological toll 4.Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1982
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Legacy of Vietnam 5.1973 War Power Act
Pres has to inform congress w/in 48 hr of committing troops and remove if not approved *No Pres has recognized limits & courts avoid issue 6. War shock nation’s confidence and many embrace isolationism 7. Also increase cynicism about government
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