1. Unit 7 Cold War Notes
The Vietnam War

2. The Vietnam War Historical Background
Vietnam lived under Chinese rule for over a thousand years.
Vietnam would gain independence in the 1400’s
North/South divide took place during this time when two wealthy families fought for control of Vietnam.
One family would control the North while the other controlled the South.

3. The Vietnam War
C. Vietnam would once again live under foreign rule during the Age of Imperialism when France would make Vietnam one of its colonies in 1858.

4. The Vietnam War
II. Vietnam During WWII A. Japan would invade and conquer Vietnam during WWII. B. During WWII popular Communist National leader Ho Chi Mihn would start the Viet Mihn resistance movement to battle the Japanese.

5. The Vietnam War
C. The U.S. would secretly supply the Viet Mihn with weapons.
Why do you think the U.S. supplied the Viet Mihn with weapons?
Why did this have to be done in secret?

6. The Vietnam War
D. In August of 1945, with Japan’s attention diverted, the Viet Mihn would recapture Vietnam. E. Ho Chi Mihn would rename the country the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV)

7. The Vietnam War
F. Due to Ho Chi Mihn’s communist leanings the U.S. would refuse to acknowledge their independence and instead offer to help France regain their colony.

8. III. Post WWII
In 1949 – the French would go to war against the Viet Mihn for control of Vietnam.
For 5 years both sides would fight to a standstill in what would be known as
The First Indochina War

9. B. May 7, 1954 – the Viet Mihn attacked the French at Dien Bein Phu with 40,000 troops. 1. Although a shocking victory for the Vietnamese casualties were much higher for the Viet Mihn. They lost 10 soldiers for every 1 French soldier killed.

10. 2. This showed that the Vietnamese were willing to sacrifice themselves for the cause.
French soldiers are taken prisoner on May 7, 1954 as Dien Bein Phu falls to the Viet Minh

11. IV. U.S. Involvement
In 1962 under President John F. Kennedy the U.S. started the Military Assistance Command of Vietnam.
(MACV)
1. Under MACV the U.S. sent troops and advisors to help train South Vietnamese troops. Starting with just 1000 troops these numbers would rise to 15,000 within the first year.

12. B. Viet Cong – was an undercover band of North Vietnamese Guerilla soldiers who had infiltrated the South. - The U.S. unknowingly supplied and trained many of the Viet Cong.

13. V. Escalation
The Gulf of Tonkin Incident – In August of 1964 two U.S. Naval Destroyers reported the North Vietnamese gun boats attacked them unprovoked.
This incident outraged the U.S. public and in response President Johnson asked Congress for the authority to take “all steps necessary” to protect American interests in Vietnam.

15. D. 200,000 more were sent the next year.
C. 533 members of Congress voted to approve the measure and as a result 75,000 troops were sent to Vietnam.
D. 200,000 more were sent the next year.
E. By the end of 1968 – the U.S. would have 500,000 troops in Vietnam.
Joint Resolution of Congress H.J. RES 1145 August 7, 1964
That the Congress approves and supports the determination of the President, as Commander in Chief, to take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.

16. VI. Two Enemies The U.S. was fighting two wars in Vietnam.
First – against the North Vietnamese
Second – Against the Viet Cong in South Vietnam.
B. To better fight these two enemies President Johnson authorized the use of two new chemical weapons.

17. Napalm – A thick gasoline-based gel that burns at incredibly high temperatures. Used to clear jungle foliage and scare the enemy through shock and awe.

18. 2. Agent Orange – Chemical defoliate used to destroy jungle foliage in order to expose Viet Cong hideouts. Agent Orange has since been proven to cause some forms of cancer and birth defects.

19. STOP

20. VII. Quagmire
Tet Offensive – On January 30, 1968 the North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong attacked 27 different U.S. military instillations simultaneously.
The U.S. quickly squashed these attacks and the Viet Cong lost thousands of men.

21. But in the chaos of the fighting a South Vietnamese police officer was caught on camera executing a Viet cong spy. This image would horrify and anger the American public Why?

22. Play Eddie Adams Video Here

23. C. Although a military victory the Tet Offensive was an enormous political defeat for the U.S. as public opinion of the war turned very negative.
D. In February of 1968 beloved newsman Walter Cronkite stated on the evening news that the U.S. was mired in a quagmire of a war that could not be won.

24. VIII. The Anti-War Protests A
VIII. The Anti-War Protests A. Although Anti-war protest first appeared as early as 1965 to protest the draft, anti-war efforts ramped up following The Tet Offensive.

25. B. The Chicago Riot – In August of 1968 during the Democratic National Convention Chicago police used tear gas and billy-clubs to break up Anti-war demonstrations.

26. C. Kent State Massacre – In May of 1970 National Guard Troops were called in to calm demonstrations on the college campus. In the commotion shots were fired and 4 students were killed.

27. IX. Vietnamization
Under new President Richard Nixon the U.S. instituted a new policy calling for the gradual withdrawal of troops.
The U.S. would still fund and supply the war but would leave the fighting to the South Vietnamese.

28. C. By 1972 the number of U.S. troops had been reduced to just 150,000 and peace negotiations began between Nixon and the leaders of the Viet Cong. D. After an intense bombing of North Vietnam on Christmas Day 1972 both sides agreed upon a cease-fire in January of 1973.

29. X. The End
With America’s attention on the Watergate Scandal and eventual resignation of President Nixon, North Vietnam took advantage and advanced on South Vietnam.
By early 1975 defeat was imminent for South Vietnam and in the Spring of 1975 the North Vietnamese launched a major offensive.

30. X. The End
C. April 30, 1975 – Saigon, the capital city of South Vietnam fell to the North Vietnamese as U.S. troops evacuated thousands of Vietnamese refugees to the U.S. D. The War was over and Vietnam was united under Communist rule