1. War in Vietnam
Chapter 12, Lesson 4

2. The Conflict in Vietnam
United States tried to stop spread of Communism
What wars were fought to stop spread of Communism?

3. United States now worried that Communism is spreading to Vietnam
Vietnam’s Past
French Colony since the 1880s
Split into N. Vietnam (communist) and S. Vietnam (non)
1960
Won independence from France in 1954
Group of Communists in S. Vietnam try to overthrow non-communist government

4. Communists in South Vietnam try to overthrow the non-communist government
Sound familiar?
Overthrow: to remove from power
Who were they?
Vietcong: Communists Fighters
Supported by North Vietnam

5. U.S. Response At first  Sent advisors and supplies
Sound familiar?
1965: US begin sending soldiers to fight

6. Fighting Increases North Vietnamese army joins the Vietcong
President Lyndon B. Johnson sends more troops to help S. Vietnam
US brings technology: tanks, bombers, helicopters
Vietnamese/Vietcong use small group attacks

7. Technology does not always help
Vietcong use jungle to hide and attack
Fast-moving and small groups
U.S. military bigger and more powerful….
Yet, Vietcong controlled most of S. Vietnam

8. The Antiwar Movement
More fighting = more cost = more deaths = more money
Television shows war and dangerous battles
See bomb damage done to civilians
American feelings grow strong
Should the United States be sending troops to Vietnam?

9. Hawks v. Doves
Hawks: For Vietnam War
Doves: Against Vietnam War

10. Doves
Hawks
Should not interfere in war
Men feared draft
Antiwar marches and demonstrations
Should interfere in war
Must stop communism

11. Demonstration: a gathering of people who want to express their opinions to the public and to the government
About 250,000 antiwar protesters lead demonstration at the United Nations in New York City in May 1967
Even some of Congress speaking out

12. Getting Out of Vietnam Richard Nixon becomes President in January 1969
Brings troops home from Vietnam
U.S. planes increase bombing North Vietnam
Bomb Cambodia, country west of S. Vietnam
Communist fighting bases

13. 1973: North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and United States sign cease-fire
Cease-fire: an agreement to stop all fighting
Once U.S. leaves…
Communists attack again
1975 (2 years later): North Vietnam defeats South Vietnam

14. Effects Over 55,000 Americans died Lost battle to stop Communism
Strong opinions still divide
1982: Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. built to recognize soldiers