1. Vietnam 1955-1975 Mr. Koch US History B Forest Lake High School

2. Background Passionate nationalism History of resisting China –Colonized by France in 1800s After WWII, Ho Chi Minh led independence movement against France –French lose in 1954

3. Geneva Conference Countries of Indochina (SE Asia), US, Soviet Union, France, & Britain met to decide fate of Indochina July 1954 – Vietnam divided –N. Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh (Communist) –S. Vietnam: Ngo Dinh Diem (Republic) – US supported Supposed to have elections to unify in 1956 –US and S. Vietnam refuse

4. Diem Unpopular in own country –Imprisoned critics, appointed corrupt family members, misused US aid, relocated peasants, pushed Catholicism upon Buddhist population US encouraged an overthrow –Diem assassinated –Military government takes over

5. Viet Cong Communist guerrillas in S. Vietnam - aided by N. Vietnam –Had support of many in S. Vietnam – hard to identify –Skilled at jungle warfare –Could cross border of Cambodia/Laos –Used Ho Chi Minh trail to get supplies

6. Presidential Actions JFK: sent aid & military advisors Increased from 675 to 16,000 Johnson: didn’t want to lose South, but said wouldn’t send troops –Aug 1964 – US destroyer torpedoed by N Vietnam –Or was it???? –Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Congress gave President authority to do whatever necessary

7. 1965 – begin rapid build-up of military, war escalates –Start of 1965: 25,000 –End of 1965: 184,000 –End of 1968: 536,000

8. Tet Offensive Jan 30 (Vietnamese New Year) –Surprise attack by N. Vietnam & Viet Cong –Viet Cong turned back, but psychological victory –Many Americans have reservations after seeing TV images

9. Battlefield Conditions Hot, tall grass, wet, 60lb. packs, leeches, fever, jungle rot, booby traps –Little support from local population for US

10. Effects on Civilians Unsure who was Viet Cong, so civilians suffered heavy losses –B-52 saturation bombing –Agent Orange (chemical – herbicide) –Napalm – jelly that burned uncontrollably

11. My Lai Massacre March 1968 Word that village sheltering 250 Viet Cong Led by Lt. William Calley, kill between 175-500 women, children, old men –US helicopter crew (Hugh Thompson) stepped in to stop killings When story gets out, Americans outraged