1. The Vietnam War

2. Setting the Stage
Vietnam had been under French control from
Japan invaded and occupied the land name “INDOCHINA” (Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos) in 1940
After WWII Japan withdrew and HO CHI MINH led the struggle to break Vietnam free of the French
In 1954 the French withdrew from Indochina after defeat.

3. The Agreement
A international peace treaty at Geneva divided Vietnam into two regions
- Communist NORTH Vietnam ruled by Ho Chi Minh
-South Vietnam, lead Boa Dai
The ideas was the two nations would reunite in 1956 and hold free elections

4. Corruption
The United States supported Ngo Dinh Diem- President of South Vietnam
His election was slightly “funny” because there were more votes than there were voters.
The US began questioning their choice in Diem
Began to refuse to hold “free elections” for his people because he knew he’d be voted out.
Favored the wealthy over the poor. Ruthless to anyone who did not agree.

5. Domino Theory Vietcong
Eisenhower believed if Vietnam became Communist……the rest of the region would follow.
Vietcong
Vietnamese groups in the south who disagreed with the policy/government were call DISSIDENTS they joined the
northern Vietminh and formed VIETCONG (Việt Cộng).
Used guerrilla warfare tactics- ambushes and raids
They formed the National Liberation Front (NLF)

6. Moments before his assassination
A deadly year
In 1963 the US supported a Southern Vietnamese group that plotted to overthrown Diem
They assassinated Diem and his brother in early November
3 weeks later…President Kennedy was assassinated.
Moments before his assassination

7. Its all yours now Lyndon Johnson
After Kennedy’s assassination Lyndon Johnson became president and was given the Vietnam “gift.”
What happens when you lie?
1964 South Vietnamese boats patrol Northern Vietnamese islands on the Gulf of Tonkin
In response the Northern Vietnamese fired on a US destroyer “Maddox” stationed nearby
The Maddox and Ticonderoga fired back sinking one ship and damaging another.
August 4th Johnson was TOLD that the US Navy BELIEVED that the North Vietnamese attacked again.
This information was leaked to the press…..when in actuality it never occurred
Johnson was forced to make a decision
He went before the country to tell them about the “unprovoked attacks”

8. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
After Johnson told the Country and Congress about the “attacks” Congress gave him the power to use military force on the situation without a formal declaration of “war.”

9. It is hard to fight in someone ELSES backyard!
 The Guerilla war practice the Vietnamese used posed a serious problem for the Americans
* Jungle presented a problem
* Ambushing was easier
* Only the Vietnamese knew the trails to take
This lead to MASS CASUALTIES
The U.S would have to develop better tactics
Operation Rolling Thunder
Air offensive tactic that didn’t work as planed.

10. U.S Weapons Firebombs Guns that shot fire
Filled with napalm- A gasoline mixture that sticks to the target
Cluster Bombs
Covered people with shards of metal
Agent Orange
-Chemical spray that killed vegetation in
the area
- Used to wipe out the jungle cover
- Contained Dioxin(1 of the most dangerous chemicals known to man)
- People in that area suffer from horrendous birth defects still TODAY!

11. With all of the weapons America was still at a disadvantage
American could not find their way in the jungles
The Climate and environment was foreign
The enemy was not playing by any rules
Getting frustrated we became desperate and attacking and firing EVERYONE
Anti-American feelings grew and so did the Vietcong

12. The Affect at Home America was NOT impressed with what was going on!
The press acted as eyes and showed the people what was REALLY going on and exposing the administration
A huge anti-war movement surged through the country
*Some people believed that Vietnamese should settle their own affairs without US involvement.
People could not understand why we were messing with a nation so far away
Some people objected to war period
Some preferred that their tax dollars be spent on something more important
Some were afraid the war would turn into a nuclear one
Many people with loved ones in the army just wanted them back home
SOUND FAMILIAR?
Many young people burned their draft cards in protest and fled to Canada

13. FIGHTING ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE.
Fighting on a New Level
January 30, 1968 The North Vietnamese and Vietcong launched the Tet Offensive
FIGHTING ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE.
 We knew then that this war could never be won ……peace talks have to happen

14. …And now its YOUR problem
President Johnson opted to not run for re-election
Richard Nixon was elected president.
The plan was to “Gradually withdraw troops...hoping this would result in a stable, non-communist South Vietnam.”
However, Nixon has another secret plan BOMBING CAMBODIA, without telling the public, Congress, even military generals until a year later.
Upon being informed of Nixon’s abuse of power Congress repealed (canceled) the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.
Passed “War Powers Act” president can only send troops for a max of 60 days before seeking Congressional approval

15. Protest
► In response to the bombings of Cambodia and Laos Americans began a wave of anti-demonstrations
► National Guard troops reported to Kent State University to stop a anti-war protest
► The National Guard fired at random at the American students. Killing/Wounding 13 bystanders. Kent State Massacre
►A similar incident happened in Mississippi. The Military is abusing their power.

16. Paris Peace Accords ► Both sides would lay down their arms
► U.S would withdraw all troops, military personal and advisors
► The U.S would contribute to reconstruction
► Prisoners of war would be released and sent home

17. The End Of the War? 1975 The fall of Saigon to North Vietnamese troops
Military evacuated
100,000 refugees fled to the United States
April 30, 1975 South Vietnamese surrendered
- The North and the South were reunited a year later
The Lost of Lives…
3 to 4 million Vietnamese from both sides
1.5 to 2 million Laotians and Cambodians
58,159 U.S. soldiers.[