ch 17 sec 1-the vietnam war america’s 2nd longest war
TRANSCRIPT
Ch 17 Sec 1-The Ch 17 Sec 1-The Vietnam WarVietnam War
America’s 2nd Longest America’s 2nd Longest WarWar
American Support for American Support for FranceFrance Ho Chi MinhHo Chi Minh had begun a revolutionary had begun a revolutionary
movement against the French in the movement against the French in the 1930’s1930’s
Ho Chi Minh was a US ally during WWIIHo Chi Minh was a US ally during WWII After WWII the Japanese were forced After WWII the Japanese were forced
out out Ho Chi Minh and the Ho Chi Minh and the VietminhVietminh declared declared
Vietnam freeVietnam free In the late 1945 the French came back In the late 1945 the French came back
to reclaim their colonyto reclaim their colony The US funded $1 Billion towards the The US funded $1 Billion towards the
French war effort from 1950-1954French war effort from 1950-1954
Vietminh Drive out the Vietminh Drive out the FrenchFrench In 1953 IKE and the US viewed Ho as a In 1953 IKE and the US viewed Ho as a
communist aggressorcommunist aggressor IKE feared IKE feared The Domino TheoryThe Domino Theory and and
thought it might occur if Vietnam was thought it might occur if Vietnam was lostlost
In 1954 despite massive US aid the In 1954 despite massive US aid the French are defeated at French are defeated at Dien Bien PhuDien Bien Phu
From May through July 1954 seven From May through July 1954 seven countries meet with the Vietminh and countries meet with the Vietminh and the anti-communist South in Geneva to the anti-communist South in Geneva to agree to peaceagree to peace
The Geneva Accords divided Vietnam at The Geneva Accords divided Vietnam at the the 1717thth parallel parallel, Free Elections in 1956, Free Elections in 1956
Diem Cancels the ElectionsDiem Cancels the Elections Ho Chi Minh was popular in the North by Ho Chi Minh was popular in the North by
redistributing land to peasantsredistributing land to peasants South Vietnam’s anti-communist and South Vietnam’s anti-communist and
Catholic President Catholic President Ngo Dinh DiemNgo Dinh Diem refused refused to take part in the Geneva Accord to take part in the Geneva Accord elections of 1956elections of 1956, supported by the US, supported by the US
In 1957 the In 1957 the VietcongVietcong or Communist or Communist Guerillas began attacks in the South by Guerillas began attacks in the South by assassinating members of Diem’s assassinating members of Diem’s governmentgovernment
In 1959 the In 1959 the Ho Chi Minh TrailHo Chi Minh Trail or supply or supply line to communists in the South was line to communists in the South was openedopened
JFK and VietnamJFK and Vietnam Like IKE, JFK chose to Like IKE, JFK chose to “sink or swim” “sink or swim”
with Diemwith Diem in Vietnam in Vietnam By the end of By the end of 1963 more $ and 16,000 1963 more $ and 16,000
US military advisors were in South US military advisors were in South VietnamVietnam
Diem popularity was plummeting, his Diem popularity was plummeting, his Hamlet Program Hamlet Program was unsuccessfulwas unsuccessful
His attacks on Buddhism and the His attacks on Buddhism and the protest of Buddhist monks was protest of Buddhist monks was increasingincreasing
On Nov. 1On Nov. 1stst 1963 1963 a US supported South a US supported South Vietnam military coup was carried out Vietnam military coup was carried out and and Diem was assassinatedDiem was assassinated
Johnson’s WarJohnson’s War After Diem death the South was After Diem death the South was
unstableunstable LBJ felt US credibility is at stakeLBJ felt US credibility is at stake and he and he
does not want to give in to communist does not want to give in to communist aggressionaggression
In August 1964, a North Vietnamese gun In August 1964, a North Vietnamese gun boat fired a torpedo at boat fired a torpedo at The USS MaddoxThe USS Maddox
Two days later the Maddox and another Two days later the Maddox and another destroyer opened fire on the Northdestroyer opened fire on the North
LBJ launches limited bombing attacksLBJ launches limited bombing attacks Congress adopted the Congress adopted the Gulf of Tonkin Gulf of Tonkin
ResolutionResolution which gave LBJ broad military which gave LBJ broad military powers in Vietnampowers in Vietnam
The public did not The public did not know the know the US was US was conducting secret raids conducting secret raids against the Northagainst the North
The The USS MaddoxUSS Maddox was was collecting informationcollecting information
LBJ had prepared the LBJ had prepared the resolution months resolution months before handbefore hand
In response to the In response to the PleikuPleiku attack attack Operation Operation Rolling ThunderRolling Thunder was was launchedlaunched
By June of 1965, By June of 1965, 50,000 US troops were 50,000 US troops were fighting in Vietnamfighting in Vietnam
Deeper into the QuagmireDeeper into the Quagmire In March 1965 LBJ began sending In March 1965 LBJ began sending
troopstroops Sec. of Defense Robert McNamara Sec. of Defense Robert McNamara
and Sec. of State Dean Ruskand Sec. of State Dean Rusk advised advised LBJ to deploy troopsLBJ to deploy troops
LBJ went back on his 1964 campaign LBJ went back on his 1964 campaign promise, but he looked to be promise, but he looked to be containing communismcontaining communism
In In 1965, 61% supported US policy in 1965, 61% supported US policy in NamNam
US Troop Buildup US Troop Buildup AcceleratesAccelerates By the end of 1965, 180,000 US By the end of 1965, 180,000 US
troops were sent to Vietnamtroops were sent to Vietnam General William WestmorelandGeneral William Westmoreland
continued to request more US troopscontinued to request more US troops He was not impressed with the He was not impressed with the Army Army
of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN)of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) (South Vietnam)(South Vietnam)
By 1967 there were 500,000 US By 1967 there were 500,000 US troops in Vietnamtroops in Vietnam
War of AttritionWar of Attrition Massive Massive
bombingbombing would would weaken N. weaken N. VietnamVietnam
Defeat of the Defeat of the VietcongVietcong in in battlebattle
Used the Used the “body “body count”count” to justify to justify eventual victoryeventual victory
An Elusive EnemyAn Elusive Enemy The The Vietcong used hit-and-run and Vietcong used hit-and-run and
ambush tacticsambush tactics The Vietcong was part of the civilian The Vietcong was part of the civilian
population, US troops could not tell population, US troops could not tell friend from foefriend from foe
The Vietcong had a network of The Vietcong had a network of tunnelstunnels to launch attacks and to launch attacks and disappear quicklydisappear quickly
The jungle was laced with The jungle was laced with booby booby traps and land minestraps and land mines
US troops dealt with jungle terrain, US troops dealt with jungle terrain, rice paddies, heat, leeches, and rice paddies, heat, leeches, and Mekong RotMekong Rot
The nuclear The nuclear powered powered aircraft aircraft
carrier USS carrier USS Enterprise Enterprise
War of AttritionWar of Attrition US bombers pounded VC and North US bombers pounded VC and North
Vietnamese positionsVietnamese positions Despite high causalities the Despite high causalities the VC would not VC would not
surrendersurrender The North was receiving supplies from The North was receiving supplies from
China and the USSRChina and the USSR The US tried to win ‘Hearts and Minds”The US tried to win ‘Hearts and Minds” The US used The US used NapalmNapalm to set fire to the to set fire to the
junglejungle The US used the defoliant The US used the defoliant Agent Orange Agent Orange
in Operation Ranch-Handin Operation Ranch-Hand By 1967 there were 4 million refugees By 1967 there were 4 million refugees
due to US due to US Seek and Destroy missionsSeek and Destroy missions
Sinking MoraleSinking Morale Guerrilla warfare, brutal jungle, and Guerrilla warfare, brutal jungle, and
failure to make headway, and mounting failure to make headway, and mounting causalities frustrated US troopscausalities frustrated US troops
Many soldiers turned to Many soldiers turned to alcohol, alcohol, marijuanamarijuana and other drugs to escape and other drugs to escape the warthe war
South Vietnamese civil war within the South Vietnamese civil war within the civil war made the war tough to managecivil war made the war tough to manage
Many US troops fought bravely and POW Many US troops fought bravely and POW fought just to stay alive, even facing fought just to stay alive, even facing torture and the infamous torture and the infamous Hanoi HiltonHanoi Hilton
Ch 17 Sec 2 Vietnam Ch 17 Sec 2 Vietnam Dives the NationDives the Nation
Why was Why was Vietnam a working Vietnam a working class war?class war?
What were the What were the roots of roots of oppositionopposition to the war? to the war?
What was the What was the anti- war anti- war movement?movement?
Why was their Why was their growing divisiongrowing division in the US over the war?in the US over the war?
Ch 17 Sec 2 –Vietnam Divides the Ch 17 Sec 2 –Vietnam Divides the nationnation LBJ’s LBJ’s Great Society Programs Great Society Programs
suffered due to lack of fundingsuffered due to lack of funding, $6 , $6 billion was cut from the programs billion was cut from the programs (Taxes went up 10% as well to curb (Taxes went up 10% as well to curb inflation and pay for the war)inflation and pay for the war)
The The war cost $21 billionwar cost $21 billion every year every year Americans saw the horrific images Americans saw the horrific images
on on TVTV Over 16,000 American troops were Over 16,000 American troops were
killed between 1961 and 1967killed between 1961 and 1967 Many charged that a Many charged that a “creditability “creditability
gap”gap” between what the LBJ reported between what the LBJ reported and what was actually occurring and what was actually occurring ((Fulbright Hearings)Fulbright Hearings)
Roots of Opposition-”The Times They are A-Roots of Opposition-”The Times They are A-Changing”Changing”
College students became more College students became more involved in social protestinvolved in social protest
TheThe New Left New Left demanded sweeping demanded sweeping changes in American societychanges in American society
Students for A Democratic Society Students for A Democratic Society (SDS)(SDS) charged that large charged that large Corporations and large government Corporations and large government institutions had taken over the US institutions had taken over the US (They wanted democracy and (They wanted democracy and individual freedom) Anti-WARindividual freedom) Anti-WAR
In 1964 In 1964 The Free Speech MovementThe Free Speech Movement grew out of a dispute between grew out of a dispute between administrators and students at Univ. administrators and students at Univ. of CA at Berkeleyof CA at Berkeley
From Campus to Mass From Campus to Mass MobilizationMobilization Professors and students used Professors and students used teach-insteach-ins
to protest the war ( Sit-In for the to protest the war ( Sit-In for the campus)campus)
In April 1965, SDS organized a march on In April 1965, SDS organized a march on Washington of 20,000, then 30,000Washington of 20,000, then 30,000
By 1969 By 1969 SDSSDS had chapters on 400 had chapters on 400 campusescampuses
In spring of 1967 nearly 500,000 In spring of 1967 nearly 500,000 gathered in NYC’s Central Park gathered in NYC’s Central Park “Hell no “Hell no we won’t go!” “Burn Cards not People!”we won’t go!” “Burn Cards not People!”
In October 1967 100,000 anti-war In October 1967 100,000 anti-war protestors marched from the Lincoln protestors marched from the Lincoln Memorial to the Pentagon ( 1,500 Memorial to the Pentagon ( 1,500 injured, 700 arrested)injured, 700 arrested)
War Divides the NationWar Divides the Nation Hawks v DovesHawks v Doves In December 1967, In December 1967, 70% of Americans 70% of Americans
felt that the protests were “acts of felt that the protests were “acts of disloyalty”disloyalty”
Backlash to the Protestors organizedBacklash to the Protestors organized ““America Love it or Leave It!”America Love it or Leave It!” ““Support our men in Vietnam!”Support our men in Vietnam!” ““College professors, students…don’t College professors, students…don’t
love our country.”love our country.” LBJ was determined with slow LBJ was determined with slow
escalationescalation Sec. of Defense McNamara resigned Sec. of Defense McNamara resigned
in the end of 1967in the end of 1967
Songs of Protest and Songs of Protest and SupportSupport CCR- CCR- Fortunate SonFortunate Son
Bob DylanBob Dylan – –The Times they are a The Times they are a ChangingChanging
Eve of DestructionEve of Destruction
The Ballet of the Green BeretsThe Ballet of the Green Berets
The Working Class War-Teenage The Working Class War-Teenage SoldiersSoldiers
Many dogged the draft as Americans Many dogged the draft as Americans doubted the war (doubted the war (Draft included 18-Draft included 18-26 year old males) Average age 19.26 year old males) Average age 19.
Some got medical exemptionsSome got medical exemptions Some joined the National Guard or Some joined the National Guard or
Coast GuardCoast Guard Some got a college defermentSome got a college deferment The The less economically privileged less economically privileged
fought the war which included lower fought the war which included lower economic class whites and minoritieseconomic class whites and minorities
African Americans made up only 10% African Americans made up only 10% of the population but 20%-30% of of the population but 20%-30% of the combat deathsthe combat deaths
Draft lotteryDraft lottery was instituted in 1969 was instituted in 1969
Women Join the RanksWomen Join the Ranks 10,000 Us Women served in Vietnam10,000 Us Women served in Vietnam Most served as Most served as military nursesmilitary nurses
(China Beach)(China Beach) Thousand more served in the Red Thousand more served in the Red
Cross and the USO (United Services Cross and the USO (United Services Organizations)Organizations)
1968: The Pivotal Year1968: The Pivotal YearWhat was the What was the Tet Tet Offensive? How did it Offensive? How did it effect the American effect the American public?public?
What were the What were the domestic domestic disturbances of 1968disturbances of 1968??
What led up to the What led up to the 1968 1968 Presidential Election?Presidential Election?
The Tet OffensiveThe Tet Offensive On Jan 30On Jan 30thth 1968 during the Vietnamese 1968 during the Vietnamese
New Year celebration the Vietcong New Year celebration the Vietcong launched massive attacks across Vietnamlaunched massive attacks across Vietnam
The The Tet OffensiveTet Offensive lasted for one month, lasted for one month, 100 cities and towns were attacked, 12 100 cities and towns were attacked, 12 US air bases, and even the US Embassy in US air bases, and even the US Embassy in Saigon ( 40,000 Vietcong deaths)Saigon ( 40,000 Vietcong deaths)
The The Tet OffensiveTet Offensive increased the increased the creditability gap and shook the publiccreditability gap and shook the public
Tet changed millions of minds, including Tet changed millions of minds, including new new Sec. of Defense Clark CliffordSec. of Defense Clark Clifford who who thought the war was unwinnablethought the war was unwinnable
LBJ declines to run in 1968LBJ declines to run in 1968 Democrats looked for candidates to run Democrats looked for candidates to run
against LBJ in the primariesagainst LBJ in the primaries Senator Senator Eugene McCarthy opposed LBJEugene McCarthy opposed LBJ In the In the NH Primary LBJ got 48% of the NH Primary LBJ got 48% of the
vote McCarthy 42% ( Peace Candidate)vote McCarthy 42% ( Peace Candidate) RFKRFK sensing weakness entered the sensing weakness entered the
racerace On March 31, 1968 On March 31, 1968 LBJ announcedLBJ announced the the
US would seek negotiations to end the US would seek negotiations to end the war, with more involvement from war, with more involvement from South Vietnam and he South Vietnam and he would not run would not run for re-election in 1968, his VP Hubert for re-election in 1968, his VP Hubert Humphrey will.Humphrey will.
King, the War and the King, the War and the AssassinationAssassination
On April 3On April 3rdrd, 1968 DR. MLK addressed , 1968 DR. MLK addressed a crowd in Memphisa crowd in Memphis
He was there to support the city He was there to support the city striking garbage workersstriking garbage workers
He gave his famousHe gave his famous
““Promised Land” SpeechPromised Land” Speech
He was assassinated He was assassinated
one day later by Jamesone day later by James
Earl Ray on his hotelEarl Ray on his hotel
balconybalcony
Reaction to King’s DeathReaction to King’s Death RFK passionate plea RFK passionate plea
for non-violencefor non-violence in in IndianapolisIndianapolis
Over Over 100 cities 100 cities exploded in flamesexploded in flames
Baltimore, Chicago, Baltimore, Chicago, KC, and Washington KC, and Washington were the worstwere the worst
RFK was killed in RFK was killed in June 1968 by Sirhan June 1968 by Sirhan SirhanSirhan
Violence and ProtestViolence and Protest On April 4On April 4thth Dr. MLKDr. MLK was assassinated was assassinated
in Memphisin Memphis Violence ripped through more than Violence ripped through more than
100 US cities (27,000 had been jailed)100 US cities (27,000 had been jailed) On June 4On June 4thth, 1968 , 1968 RFKRFK won the won the
Democratic Primary on June 5Democratic Primary on June 5thth he was he was gunned down by gunned down by Sirhan SirhanSirhan Sirhan after after giving a speech in the hotel kitchengiving a speech in the hotel kitchen
During the first 6 months of 1968, During the first 6 months of 1968, 40,000 students took part in 200 40,000 students took part in 200 demonstrations on 100 campuses demonstrations on 100 campuses ( Columbia University)( Columbia University)
The DNC of 1968The DNC of 1968 In August at the In August at the DNC Convention in DNC Convention in
ChicagoChicago thousands of anti-war and thousands of anti-war and other protestors “Yippies” converged other protestors “Yippies” converged on the city (Youth International Party)on the city (Youth International Party)
The Democratic nomination was The Democratic nomination was between between Eugene McCarthyEugene McCarthy and LBJ’s and LBJ’s VP VP Hubert HumphreyHubert Humphrey
Mayor Richard J. DaleyMayor Richard J. Daley mobilized mobilized 12,000 Chicago Police officers “…12,000 Chicago Police officers “…there will be law and order.”there will be law and order.”
On Aug. 28On Aug. 28thth Rock and bottles met Rock and bottles met nightsticks and mace, nightsticks and mace, “The whole “The whole world is watching!”world is watching!”
The Election of 1968The Election of 1968 Richard M. Nixon (R)Richard M. Nixon (R) vowed to vowed to
restore law and order, and to end restore law and order, and to end the war in Vietnamthe war in Vietnam
Hubert H. Humphrey (D) LBJ’s VPHubert H. Humphrey (D) LBJ’s VP Richard Nixon won a close race andRichard Nixon won a close race and
inherited the Quagmire of Vietnaminherited the Quagmire of Vietnam
Nixon’s VietnamizationNixon’s Vietnamization Sec. of State Henry KissingerSec. of State Henry Kissinger opted for opted for
VietnamizationVietnamization which was a reduction in which was a reduction in US troops by turning active combat US troops by turning active combat operations over to the South operations over to the South VietnameseVietnamese while negations continued while negations continued
By August 1969 25,000 troops came By August 1969 25,000 troops came homehome
Between 1969 and 1972 the # of US Between 1969 and 1972 the # of US troops dropped from over troops dropped from over 543,000 to 543,000 to less than 25,000less than 25,000
Nixon spoke of “peace with honor” Nixon spoke of “peace with honor” while the US continued bombing while the US continued bombing campaigns into Laos and Cambodia to campaigns into Laos and Cambodia to cut supply cut supply lineslines
Trouble on the Trouble on the BattlefrontBattlefront Nixon appealed to the “silent Nixon appealed to the “silent
majority”majority” In Nov. 1969 Americans learned of In Nov. 1969 Americans learned of
the the My Lai MassacreMy Lai Massacre ( 100 innocent ( 100 innocent Vietnamese civilians mostly old men Vietnamese civilians mostly old men women and children were gunned women and children were gunned down by a US Platoon)down by a US Platoon)
Out of 25 officers only Lt. William Out of 25 officers only Lt. William Caley Jr. was convicted and Caley Jr. was convicted and imprisonedimprisoned
10 year sentence10 year sentence
(House arrest 3yrs.)(House arrest 3yrs.)
The Invasion of The Invasion of Cambodia and Kent Cambodia and Kent
StateState In April In April 1970 Nixon announced the1970 Nixon announced the US US invaded Cambodia to clear out VC and invaded Cambodia to clear out VC and North Vietnam supply centersNorth Vietnam supply centers
Colleges burst out in protests, 1.5 million Colleges burst out in protests, 1.5 million students closed more than 1,200 campusesstudents closed more than 1,200 campuses
On May 4On May 4thth, 1970 at , 1970 at Kent State after the Kent State after the ROTC building was burned down and rocks ROTC building was burned down and rocks were thrown at the National Guard, they were thrown at the National Guard, they opened fire on protestorsopened fire on protestors
4 were killed nine wounded at Kent State4 were killed nine wounded at Kent State At Jackson State 2 were killed, 12 woundedAt Jackson State 2 were killed, 12 wounded
End of the WarEnd of the War In March of 1972 the North Vietnamese In March of 1972 the North Vietnamese
launched their largest attack since Tetlaunched their largest attack since Tet Pres. Pres. Nixon ordered a massive Nixon ordered a massive
bombingbombing campaign on Hanoi and other campaign on Hanoi and other cities, and mined Haiphong Harborcities, and mined Haiphong Harbor
National Security Advisor Henry National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger had been secret negotiating Kissinger had been secret negotiating with Le Duc Tho of North Vietnam with Le Duc Tho of North Vietnam
On Oct. 26On Oct. 26thth, 1972 just days before the , 1972 just days before the electionelectionKissinger announced “Peace is at Kissinger announced “Peace is at Hand!”Hand!”
Talks stalled due to Talks stalled due to South Vietnamese South Vietnamese rejection of the rejection of the Kissinger PlanKissinger Plan
Nixon unleashed Nixon unleashed the “the “Christmas Christmas Bombings” of Bombings” of Hanoi and Hanoi and Haiphong, 100,000 Haiphong, 100,000 bombs over 11 bombs over 11 daysdays
Jan 27, 1973 an Jan 27, 1973 an agreement was agreement was reachedreached
On March 29, 1973 On March 29, 1973 the last US troops the last US troops left for homeleft for home
The Fall of SaigonThe Fall of Saigon With-in months of the US departure With-in months of the US departure
the cease fire-was brokenthe cease fire-was broken In March 1975 North Vietnamese In March 1975 North Vietnamese
launched a full scale invasionlaunched a full scale invasion The US sent $ to South Vietnam but The US sent $ to South Vietnam but
no troopsno troops Pres. FordPres. Ford did not want another did not want another
nightmarenightmare On April 30On April 30thth, 1975 North Vietnamese , 1975 North Vietnamese
tanks rolled into tanks rolled into Saigon and the Saigon and the South fell, it was renamed Ho Chi South fell, it was renamed Ho Chi Minh CityMinh City
Painful Legacy of Painful Legacy of VietnamVietnam
There were no victory parades for Vietnam There were no victory parades for Vietnam VetsVets
Many faced bitterness and hostilityMany faced bitterness and hostility 15% or 3.3 million soldiers developed post 15% or 3.3 million soldiers developed post
traumatic stress disordertraumatic stress disorder 58,000 US troops were killed58,000 US troops were killed 1 Million Vietnamese were killed, and 1 Million Vietnamese were killed, and
chemicals like agent orange have polluted chemicals like agent orange have polluted the environment and caused birth defects the environment and caused birth defects and cancer, 400,000 re-educated by the and cancer, 400,000 re-educated by the communistscommunists
The Communists forced 1.5 million people The Communists forced 1.5 million people out of Vietnam , 50,000 boat people out of Vietnam , 50,000 boat people perishedperished
Cambodia’s civil war in which Cambodia’s civil war in which Khmer Rouge Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot killed 1 million Cambodiansled by Pol Pot killed 1 million Cambodians
Lasting Legacies of Lasting Legacies of VietnamVietnam The US abolished the draftThe US abolished the draft
In Nov. 1973 Congress passed In Nov. 1973 Congress passed The The War Powers ActWar Powers Act in which the in which the President must inform Congress President must inform Congress within 48 hrs. of sending forceswithin 48 hrs. of sending forces
Troops cannot remain longer Troops cannot remain longer than 90 days without than 90 days without authorization from Congress authorization from Congress
In 1982 the Vietnam Veterans In 1982 the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was unveiled in Memorial was unveiled in Washington DCWashington DC