* Packet Reading 729

Distinguish between fact and

opinion in documents. Describe the escalation of the

Vietnam War.

Quiz:

Archeologists make an interesting discovery. A giant Greek vase was uncovered at a dig site recently and is believed to be over 2,000 years old. It is engraved with the year it was made, 17BC. The inscription also reads “This vessel is the property of Pylos, King of Corinth”. It contains the strongest chemical on earth, so powerful that it will dissolve anything that it comes in contact with. Archeologists at Maryville University in St. Louis declined any further questions about the find.

Analyzing Documents:Directions: Read the following two documents and identify statements as either fact or opinion. Primary Source – “LBJ’s State of the

Union Address” (1966) Secondary Source – “Vietnam

Topples Johnson” from the American Pagaent (AP textbook).

• Election of 1964• LBJ soundly defeated Republican

Barry Goldwater due to Goldwater’s war-like language causing many to fear he’d lead us into war with U.S.S.R.

• Even after Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in 1964 LBJ opposed further involvement making him look moderate.

• Goldwater was anti-communist.

U.S. Escalation of the Vietnam War (1965-69)

1964 Presidential Election)

Typical US platoon in Vietnam

Escalation in the Vietnam War (1965-68)

• However, LBJ did escalate US involvement in Vietnam starting in March, 1965 • Secretary of Defense

Robert McNamara and Secretary of State Dean Rusk pushed LBJ for more troops in Vietnam.• 1965 Opinion poll showed

61% supported war, 24% opposed.• Some thought this

contradicted LBJ’s campaign promises.• Undersecretary of State George Ball disagreed, warned about escalation.

Typical US platoon in Vietnam

Escalation in the Vietnam War (1965-68)

• Undersecretary of State George Ball disagreed, warned about escalation.• General Westmoreland

was not impressed with ARVN troops (Army of Republic of Vietnam) and requested more troops. 1965-180,000 1968-500,000

Why was Vietnam such a difficult war to fight?

Difficult conditions and an elusive (hard to find) enemy:

Vietcong used guerrilla tactics of “hit and run” to ambush.

Traps Enemy knew the jungle terrain better than US

troops. Blended in and lived with the civilian population,

no uniforms. Sweltering heat. Vietcong could hide in underground tunnels for

weeks (illus.) US underestimated enemy strength/resolve to

fight. Vietcong could afford to lose 10 to our 1 soldier

and still win. Enemy was well supplied by the Soviets and the

Chinese.

Agent Orange

Why was Vietnam such a difficult war to fight?

• U.S. failed to “win the hearts and minds of the people”

since the American tactics hurt the civilian population.

Napalm Agent OrangeSearch and Destroy

methods

Part of the “Strategic Hamlet Program”

Why was Vietnam such a difficult war to fight?

• Low morale among the troops• Frustrations of fighting

a guerrilla type war increased

• Leader of South Vietnam Nguyen Cao Ky was very corrupt (like Ngo Diem).

• U.S. began negotiating for peace while still fighting instead of calling for a cease-fire.

Why was Vietnam such a difficult war to fight?

• War grew too costly and hurt the economy: • Inflation increased 3-fold by 1969 to

6%• LBJ had to increase taxes and cut

funding of his Great Society by $6 billion!

• Critics attacked the war as diverting monies from LBJ’s “Great Society” domestic program.• Heightened television coverage of

the “living- room war” showed the “credibility gap” by 1967.

• former LBJ supporter Senator Fulbright even suggested there was a “lack of candor” (honesty) about what we are being told and what was actually happening…

• Anti-War Protest grew throughout the country…