1. The Vietnam War
Unit 8

2. Vietnam War: Background
France took control of Vietnam in the 1880s
During WWII: Japan controlled Vietnam; French still present
In 1941, the Vietminh (Independence league) formed in opposition to foreign rule
Led by Ho Chi Minh
1954: Geneva Accords
French leave; Vietnam split into No/So; Ho Chi Minh Northern Leader; Ngo Dinh Diem Southern Leader

4. Vietnam War: Eisenhower and JFK’s administrations
Eisenhower’s Domino Theory
JFK:
By 1963, 16,000 military personnel stationed in Vietnam

5. Vietnam War: Johnson’s administration
1963: Ngo Dinh Diem assassinated
Gulf of Tonkin Incident/Resolution:
Summer 1964
USS Maddox
Resolution: president can “take all necessary measures” to defend countries in SE Asia threatened by Communism
Johnson escalates the war:
1965: 200,000 troops sent
1966: 200,000 more sent
1967: 500,000 US troops in Vietnam

6. Vietnam War: Protests Anti-war demonstrations intensified in the U.S.
Why we were fighting became unclear
Kent State, 1970
Hawks (those for war) vs. Doves (those against war)
Battle increased in Congress

7. Vietnam War: Johnson to Nixon
Tet Offensive (Jan. 1968)
Viet Cong (enemy) attacked 27 key So. Vietnamese cities—including Saigon
U.S increased troop numbers by 200,000
Viet Cong militarily defeated; LBJ politically defeated
March 31, 1968 speech: LBJ indicates there will be a halt to aerial bombardments and a shift of more responsibility to the So. Vietnamese
Does not run for Pres. In 1968 (Nixon will win)
Nixon’s policy: “Peace with Honor”

9. Vietnam War: Nixon Administration
Peace with Honor:
“Vietnamization”
Turn responsibility over to the Vietnamese
Bombings in Cambodia
U.S. promised to contain the war to Vietnam
Nixon vowed to pull troops out of SE Asia
Led to further distrust of the American gov’t

11. Vietnam War: The End Cease-Fire Declared Jan. 27, 1973
National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger
Paris Agreement
US Forces leave Vietnam March 29, 1973
All US Military action finished by August 1973
Fighting resumes in Vietnam
South Vietnam taken over by North Vietnam April 30, 1975

13. Vietnam War: Aftermath
4 million killed (10% of the population)
U.S.:
$120 billion
58,000 dead
303,000 wounded
750 taken prisoner