1. Vietnam
Chapter 20

2. Origins Vietnam formerly part of French colony – French Indochina
Ho Chi Minh leads Communist rebellion against French
U.S. supports France because of the fear of Domino Theory
Vietnam wins independence, divided
North (Communist)
South (Anticommunist)

3. U.S. Involvement SEATO created to stop spread of communism
U.S. supports unpopular SV president
Communist rebels (Vietcong) attack SV
U.S. sends military advisers to SV
U.S. allows SV president assassination – 1963
Gulf of Tonkin Crisis – U.S. destroyer attacked by NV ship (1964)
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution – Gives President Johnson power to take “all necessary measures” to protect U.S. and send troops to Vietnam

4. American Entry 1st US troops arrive in Vietnam (1965)
Operation Rolling Thunder
Bomb the North into submission
3 times amount of bombs dropped in WWII
Napalm used to burn away foliage
Agent Orange
Kills foliage, reveals VC positions

5. Fighting the War VC and NVA use ambush, guerilla techniques
Tunnels, booby traps, wear US down
Rolling Thunder does not work
Americans lose more and more troops every year
War becomes a stalemate
US troops have hard time telling friend from foe

6. Doubt at Home Americans expect a quick decisive victory
Govt. ensures public war is close to victory
Public begins to doubt govt
War drains the economy, leads to increased govt spending and higher taxes
Hawks support the war
Doves oppose the war

7. Divided America Antiwar protests increase Resistance to draft
Especially on college campuses
Resistance to draft
Some say the draft isn’t fair
Burn draft cards, leave country
Credibility gap emerges, more oppose the war

8. Tet Offensive
Coordinated attack by NVA and VC on various bases and cities in South Vietnam
Military victory for U.S. and SV
Turning point in the war
American public begins to believe war is unwinnable
Communists will not give up
Johnson refuses to run for reelection

9. War’s End Richard Nixon elected President – 1968
Promises a “secret plan” to end the war
Vietnamization – Hand war over to SV and withdraw US troops
My Lai Massacre – American soldiers massacre hundreds of SV civilians
Pentagon Papers leaked to NY Times, reveals govt. had not been honest about the war to the public

10. War’s End, cont.
US troops leave after the signing of the Paris Peace Accords
Saigon falls to NV, SV surrenders, Vietnam unified – 1975
War Powers Act – Limit’s President’s war making power