1. The Vietnam War

2. Vietnam

3. Background to the War
France controlled “Indochina” since the late 19th century
Japan took control during World War II
With U.S. aid, France attempted to take back Vietnam after WWII
The French lost control to Ho Chi Minh’s Viet Minh
Ho Chi Minh had been fighting for Vietnamese independence since World War I.
The U.S. gave France aid to win its support in American anticommunist efforts in Western Europe.

4. North v. South Vietnam

5. Division of Vietnam Vietnam was divided at 17th parallel
Ho Chi Minh’s claimed the North
Ngo Dinh Diem claimed control of the South
There were supposed to be elections to decide who would be in charge but Diem backed out leading to a military conflict
Realizing he would Diem backs out of elections.

6. U.S. Military Involvement Begins
Repressive dictatorial rule by Diem leads to the people being abused
The U.S. aided Diem’s government by sending financial and military aid
Kennedy elected president and gives Diem more aid
But, in 1963 JFK supports an overthrow by the Vietnamese military that kills Diem and his brother
Realizing he would Diem backs out of elections.

7. Johnson Takes Control
JFK is assassinated putting Truman in charge who sends more troops
He believes in the Domino Theory that if one country fell to communism the surrounding countries would also fall
Johnson is elected and the military is attacked “unprovoked” in the Gulf of Tonkin Incident which Johnson takes as a chance to send lots of troops to Vietnam
What Johnson told Congress
What he didn’t tell Congress:
He had already written the resolution before the “incident.”
The U.S. naval vessels were aiding ARVN in commando raids in North Vietnam at the time.
He learned that the attack probably hadn’t occurred.
The U.S. navy was not on the “high seas” but in N. Vietnam’s 12 mile territorial limit.

8. U.S. Troop Deployments in Vietnam
Kennedy’s advisors were clearly fighting a covert war by 1963.
MacNamara has suggested that he believes Kennedy would have pulled the U.S. out, but evidence in inconclusive.
JFK realizes Diem is a liability; offers quiet support to a Vietnamese military coup d’etat.
The coup results in the brutal murders of Diem and his brother
The Vietnamese generals overthrow one another. A relatively stable, but tyrannical government emerges. It is little better than Diem’s.

9. The Tet Offensive, January 1968
N. Vietnamese Army + Viet Cong attack South simultaneously and take every major southern city
U.S. + Army of the Republic of Vietnam – South Vietnam beat back the offensive and technically win
BUT…it’s seen as an American defeat by the media
Hey, Hey LBJ! How many kids did you kill today?

10. American Morale Begins to Drop
Too many of the people going to war were poor people and minorities
This led to severe racial problems
Major drug problems in battle causing soldiers to become addicted

11. US Anti-War Demonstrations
People started to doubt why we are in the war
Major protests started around the nation to end the war

12. Nixon on Vietnam
Johnson does not run again and Nixon’s campaign promised an end to the war
Vietnamization – encourage the SV to take more responsibility for fighting the war
But, Nixon expanded the conflict
The “Secret War”
We began fighting in Cambodia and Laos without the public really knowing
Nixon’s “secret” plan never materializes.
He involved us more.
“Peace with Honor” We’ll win befoe we withdraw.
Expansion:Cambodia invaded in 1970: Ho Chi Minh Trail
Laos invaded in 1971: Ho Chi Minh Trail

13. The Ceasefire with America 1973
Ceasefire Conditions:
U.S. to remove all troops
North Vietnam could leave troops already in South Vietnam
North Vietnam would resume war
Last American troops left South Vietnam on March of 1973
1975: North Vietnam defeats South Vietnam
Many U.S.-loyal South Vietnamese attempt to flee for fear of execution by the North.

14. America abandons its embassy
North Vietnam wins in 1975
April 30, 1975
America abandons its embassy

15. A United Vietnam