1. The Vietnam War Years

2. Vietnam history
1800’s – WWII France rules over Vietnam as part of French Indochina. (Laos & Cambodia)
WWII Japan takes Indochina from French.
U.S. supports communist leader Ho Chi Minh who is fighting the Japanese.
After WWII France tries to regain Indochina & the U.S. supports them with $$$$$ only.

3. U.S interest expands in Vietnam
French begin losing the war in Vietnam.
U.S. embrace domino theory: If one country in Asia falls to communism they all will.
U.S. sends advisors to Vietnam to help.
1954 French lose the war
Geneva Accords: Vietnam is split in two along the 17th parallel. Unifying elections to take place in 1956
North communist- Ho Chi Minh leader
South anti-communist- Ngo Dinh Diem leader

5. Getting closer to war North Vietnam supported Ho Chi Minh
South Vietnam did not support Diem because he was corrupt and mean.
Viet Cong were pro communist group who lived in South Vietnam.
Communist north supplied the Viet Cong with goods- using the Ho Chi Minh trail.
Nov U.S. supports coup that kills Diem.

6. War Expands in Vietnam

7. Sending in troops
LBJ wants to start bombing North but needs Congress’ ok.
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution: Attack on U. S. ship in the Gulf of Tonkin gets Congress to support LBJ.
Bombing & ground troops enter Vietnam. (1965)
Escalation of forces continue throughout 1960’s
By ,000 troops in Vietnam
General William Westmoreland is leader of U.S. troops.

8. Jungle fighting Viet Cong used jungle as cover during war.
U.S. uses chemicals to destroy jungle
- Agent Orange: kills plants & trees
- Napalm: jellied gasoline that burns violently.
These chemicals later proved to give U.S soldiers skin diseases & cancer.

9. Search & destroy missions
Tactic used to hunt Viet Cong throughout S. Vietnam.
Soldiers burned & bombed villages where V.C. were found.
Killed innocent civilians.
V.C. gained villagers support because of U.S. abuse.

10. A frustrating war
People thought war would be short b/c of U.S. superior weapons.
North Vietnam proved to be determined soldiers who fought well.
U.S. average soldier was 19 & inexperienced at war.
Guerilla warfare was hard to defend. (no front line)
Jungle was very hard on soldiers. (Similar to the war in the Pacific during WWII.)

11. The Counterculture were youths that rejected traditional American values:
Hippie movement (long hair, blue jeans, flower power)
Pop music played a powerful form of communication
Started protesting against the war

12. 00:05
00:07

14. Opposition to the Draft
The draft was considered unfair because it was biased toward the poor and working class.
People felt it targeted minorities
Draft boards could give people deferments:
Full time college students
join the National Guard instead

15. Doves & Hawks Those who supported the war were Hawks
Those who opposed it were Doves

18. Tet Offensive
Organized surprise attack by N. Vietnam & Viet Cong in Jan
Attacked numerous cities throughout N & S Vietnam.
Not very effective militarily.
The communist lose 45, 000 soldiers & gain no cities.

19. Tet results Stunned U.S. military & citizens.
Proved LBJ & the military were not trustworthy. (recently claimed war was almost over & the communist were weak)
LBJ decides not to run for reelection
Richard Millhouse Nixon elected president
Anti war movement takes off in U.S.
Protest & violence ensues.

23. U.S. morale sinks Began to feel that the war was not winnable
Soldiers begin to lose control because of lack of leadership.
Questioned fighting a war that the people in S. Vietnam never wanted or asked for.

24. My Lai Massacre
U.S. troops round up & shot between unarmed civilians.
Mostly women, children & the elderly.
U.S. helicopter starts to rescue civilians & threatens to shoot U.S. troops if stopped.
Government tries to cover up the incident.

25. The Vietnam War Ends

26. A growing anti war movement
American people against the war
Protest and anti war rallies
College students organize.
Government tries to stop the movement
Kent states massacre: 4 students killed by National Guard in 1970.

27. Kent State

28. Vietnamization Nixon’s plan to exit the war
- gradual withdrawing of U.S. troops
- increase bombing along Ho Chi Minh
Trail to stop the movement of North
Vietnamese troops & supplies.
- start to hand over control of things to S. Vietnam government.

29. U.S. leaves Vietnam
January U.S/North Vietnam/S. Vietnam sign a peace treaty.
Last U.S. soldier leaves Vietnam in March.
War continues for 2 more years until N. Vietnam invades & defeats S. Vietnam.
U.S. does nothing to try to stop them.

30. The cost of war for those fighting
58,000 plus soldiers die.
300,000 wounded
Soldiers who did come home were treated very poorly.

31. Long term results 26th Amendment : Lowered voting age to 18
War Powers Act of 1973: Limited the presidents power to make war.
People distrust government