If you were born between January, 1997 and September, 1998 – please stand up.

Congratulations, you’re off to ‘Nam!

Content Check In – Mimio Vote

1)Which term would more accurately describe the conflicts in Vietnam?A)Communist struggleB)Nationalist struggleC)Economic Struggle

2) Which of the following was a result of the Geneva Peace Accords:A)Free and fair elections carried out in 1954B)Temporary partition of Vietnam at 17th mC)Ho Chi Minh renounces communism

Content Check In – Mimio Vote

3) Which state had a colonial presence in Vietnam?A)EnglandB)SpainC)France

4) Which state does not border Vietnam?A)Korea (all inclusive)B)CambodiaC)Laos

Content Check In – Mimio Vote

5) Which word would describe the prevailing attitude toward communism in Vietnam?A)PopularB)UnpopularC)Indifferent

6) Resistance force that defeated France – the second time:A)Viet CongB)Viet MinhC)NVA

Content Check In – Mimio Vote

7) Name of the American supported “leader” in south Vietnam:A)RheeB)DiemC)Sung

8) Why was communism so popular in Vietnam?A)Legacy of colonialism—poverty, exploitationB)Influence of surrounding countriesC)Because the US so actively fought it

Long and Unpopular WarLong and Unpopular War

• The Vietnam War was the The Vietnam War was the longest and most unpopular longest and most unpopular war in American history. war in American history. During the war:During the war:– 58,000 Americans lost their lives.58,000 Americans lost their lives.

• The oldest man killed was 62 years The oldest man killed was 62 years old; the youngest, 16.old; the youngest, 16.

• 61% of the men killed were 21 or 61% of the men killed were 21 or younger.younger.

– 304,000 were wounded.304,000 were wounded.– 75,000 were severely disabled. 75,000 were severely disabled. – The United States spent over The United States spent over

$200 billion dollars on the war. $200 billion dollars on the war. – Americans killed over 2 million Americans killed over 2 million

VietnameseVietnamese

Where is Where is Vietnam?Vietnam?

Recognizable Names?Recognizable Names?

• JFKJFK• LBJ – Lyndon LBJ – Lyndon

JohnsonJohnson• Richard NixonRichard Nixon• Ho Chi MinhHo Chi Minh• Viet CongViet Cong• Viet MinhViet Minh• NVANVA

Ngo DiemNgo Diem

HanoiHanoi

SaigonSaigon

NapalmNapalm

Carpet BombingCarpet Bombing

Secret EscalationSecret Escalation

Khmer RougeKhmer Rouge

Conflict Between France & Conflict Between France & VietnamVietnam

• Prior to WWII, Indo-Prior to WWII, Indo-China (Vietnam) was China (Vietnam) was under French colonial under French colonial control control

• During WWII Japan During WWII Japan seized controlseized control

• Japan was defeated by a Japan was defeated by a revolutionary force led revolutionary force led by Ho Chi Minhby Ho Chi Minh

• France re-invades but is France re-invades but is routed by Viet Minhrouted by Viet Minh

Ho Chi MinhHo Chi Minh

• American American educatededucated

• Worked in NYCWorked in NYC• Communist Communist

revolutionaryrevolutionary

The Geneva Peace The Geneva Peace AccordsAccords

• The Geneva Peace Accords, The Geneva Peace Accords, signed by France and signed by France and Vietnam in the summer of Vietnam in the summer of 1954, provided for the 1954, provided for the temporary partition of temporary partition of Vietnam at the 17th parallelVietnam at the 17th parallel

• In the North, a communist In the North, a communist regime, supported regime, supported by the by the Soviet Union and the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China, People's Republic of China, set up its headquarters in set up its headquarters in Hanoi under the leadership Hanoi under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh.of Ho Chi Minh.

Opposition to Geneva Opposition to Geneva AccordsAccords

• The United States prevented the elections that were The United States prevented the elections that were promised under the Geneva conference because it promised under the Geneva conference because it knew that the Communists would win. knew that the Communists would win. – Secretary of State John Foster Dulles thought the Geneva Secretary of State John Foster Dulles thought the Geneva

Accords granted too much power to the Communist Party Accords granted too much power to the Communist Party of Vietnam.of Vietnam.

– He and President Dwight D. He and President Dwight D. Eisenhower supported the Eisenhower supported the creation of a counter-creation of a counter-revolutionary alternative revolutionary alternative south of the 17th parallel. south of the 17th parallel.

• This was accomplished This was accomplished through formation of the through formation of the Southeast Asia Treaty Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO).Organization (SEATO).

A New Nation in the A New Nation in the SouthSouth

• Using SEATO for political cover, the Using SEATO for political cover, the Eisenhower administration helped Eisenhower administration helped create a new nation in southern create a new nation in southern Vietnam. Vietnam.

• In 1955, with the help of massive In 1955, with the help of massive amounts of American military, amounts of American military, political, and economic aid, the political, and economic aid, the government of the Republic of Vietnam government of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) was born. (South Vietnam) was born.

• The following year, Ngo Dinh Diem, a The following year, Ngo Dinh Diem, a staunchly anti-Communist figure from staunchly anti-Communist figure from the South, won a dubious election that the South, won a dubious election that made him president of South Vietnammade him president of South Vietnam

Vietnam Background – In Vietnam Background – In Your WordsYour Words

• Vietnam under Vietnam under constant colonization constant colonization (French/Japan)(French/Japan)

• Ho Chi Minh fought Ho Chi Minh fought back – Nationalismback – Nationalism

• Communism takes Communism takes hold in North– hold in North– Poverty, etcPoverty, etc

• Non-Communist Non-Communist southsouth

• Limited war Limited war between North and between North and SouthSouth

• Geneva Accords Geneva Accords call for partition call for partition and electionsand elections

• US interferes with US interferes with elections – Props up elections – Props up anti-Communism anti-Communism southern “leader”southern “leader”

The Domino TheoryThe Domino Theory• American policymakers developed the American policymakers developed the

“Domino Theory” as a justification for the “Domino Theory” as a justification for the involvement. This theory stated, “If South involvement. This theory stated, “If South Vietnam falls to the Communist, Laos, Vietnam falls to the Communist, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, India and Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, India and Pakistan would also fall like dominos. The Pakistan would also fall like dominos. The Pacific Islands and even Australia could be Pacific Islands and even Australia could be at risk”.   at risk”.  

South Vietnam Under South Vietnam Under DiemDiem

• Diem claimed that his newly created Diem claimed that his newly created government was under attack from government was under attack from Communists in the north.Communists in the north.

• In late 1957, with American military In late 1957, with American military aid, Diem began to counterattack. aid, Diem began to counterattack. – He used the help of the CIA (through He used the help of the CIA (through

Operation Phoenix) to identify those who Operation Phoenix) to identify those who sought to bring his government down and sought to bring his government down and arrested thousands. arrested thousands.

– He passed a repressive series of acts He passed a repressive series of acts known as Law 10/59 that made it legal to known as Law 10/59 that made it legal to hold suspected Communists in jail without hold suspected Communists in jail without bringing formal charges.bringing formal charges.

– #shadybehaviour #shadybehaviour

Opposition to DiemOpposition to Diem• The outcry against Diem's harsh and The outcry against Diem's harsh and

oppressive actions was immediate. oppressive actions was immediate. – Buddhist monks and nuns were joined by Buddhist monks and nuns were joined by

students, business people, intellectuals, and students, business people, intellectuals, and peasants in opposition to Diem’s corrupt rule. peasants in opposition to Diem’s corrupt rule.

– The more these forces attacked Diem's troops The more these forces attacked Diem's troops and secret police, the more Diem complained and secret police, the more Diem complained that the Communists were trying to take South that the Communists were trying to take South Vietnam by force. This was "a hostile act of Vietnam by force. This was "a hostile act of aggression by North Vietnam against peace-aggression by North Vietnam against peace-loving and democratic South Vietnam." loving and democratic South Vietnam."

The National Liberation The National Liberation FrontFront

• 1960the National Liberation Front (NLF) 1960the National Liberation Front (NLF) was born.was born.– It brought together Communists and non-It brought together Communists and non-

Communists in an umbrella organization that had Communists in an umbrella organization that had limited, but important goals limited, but important goals

– Anyone could join as long as they opposed Ngo Anyone could join as long as they opposed Ngo Dinh Diem and wanted to unify Vietnam.Dinh Diem and wanted to unify Vietnam.

NLF SuccessNLF Success• The NLF was quickly The NLF was quickly

gaining support in the rural gaining support in the rural areasareas

• The US was concerned this The US was concerned this was the start of a was the start of a revolution in the Southrevolution in the South

• Washington nicknames the Washington nicknames the NLF the Viet CongNLF the Viet Cong

December 1961 White December 1961 White PaperPaper

• In 1961, President In 1961, President Kennedy Kennedy sent a team to Vietnam to sent a team to Vietnam to report on conditions in the report on conditions in the South South

• The report, known as the The report, known as the "December 1961 White "December 1961 White Paper," argued for:Paper," argued for:– An increase in military, technical, and An increase in military, technical, and

economic aideconomic aid– The introduction of large-scale The introduction of large-scale

American "advisers" to help stabilize the American "advisers" to help stabilize the Diem regime and crush the NLF. Diem regime and crush the NLF.

The Strategic Hamlet The Strategic Hamlet ProgramProgram

• To counteract the NLF's To counteract the NLF's success in the success in the countryside, Washington countryside, Washington and Saigon launched the and Saigon launched the SHP.SHP.

NLF SuccessesNLF Successes

• This culturally-insensitive This culturally-insensitive plan further alienated the plan further alienated the peasants from the Saigon peasants from the Saigon regime and produced more regime and produced more recruits for the NLF. recruits for the NLF.

• By the summer of 1963, By the summer of 1963, South Vietnam was going South Vietnam was going redred

Military CoupMilitary Coup

• By late September, the BuddhistBy late September, the Buddhistprotest had created such disloca-protest had created such disloca-tion in the south that the Kennedytion in the south that the Kennedyadministration supported a coup. administration supported a coup.

• In 1963, some of Diem's own In 1963, some of Diem's own generals approached the American generals approached the American Embassy in Saigon with plans to overthrow Embassy in Saigon with plans to overthrow Diem. Diem.

• With Washington's tacit approval, Diem and his With Washington's tacit approval, Diem and his brother were captured and later killed. brother were captured and later killed.

• Three weeks later, President Kennedy was Three weeks later, President Kennedy was assassinated on the streets of Dallas. assassinated on the streets of Dallas.

Escalation of the ConflictEscalation of the Conflict• JFK is deadJFK is dead• New president – LBJ – becomes New president – LBJ – becomes

convinced that an escalation of convinced that an escalation of the conflict is neededthe conflict is needed

How do you escalate?How do you escalate?

Gulf of Tonkin IncidentGulf of Tonkin Incident• In August 1964Vietnam In August 1964Vietnam

launched an “attack” against launched an “attack” against the C. Turner Joy and the the C. Turner Joy and the U.S.S. Maddox, two U.S.S. Maddox, two American ships on call in the American ships on call in the Gulf of Tonkin. Gulf of Tonkin.

The Gulf of Tonkin The Gulf of Tonkin ResolutionResolution

• The Johnson The Johnson administration used administration used the August 4 attack to the August 4 attack to obtain a Congressional obtain a Congressional resolution, now known resolution, now known as the Gulf of Tonkin as the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, that gave Resolution, that gave the president broad the president broad war powers. war powers.

• The Resolution was The Resolution was followed by limited followed by limited reprisal air attacks reprisal air attacks against North against North Vietnam. Vietnam.

A Different Kind of WarA Different Kind of War

Challenges for Challenges for US:US:-GeographyGeography-Choice of Choice of weaponsweapons-Role of Role of Vietnamese Vietnamese civilians civilians

Challenges for Challenges for Vietnamese:Vietnamese:

- Size and might - Size and might of US militaryof US military

Operation Ranch HandOperation Ranch Hand

• American use of American use of defolliant Agent defolliant Agent OrangeOrange

• Herbicide that Herbicide that causes leaves to causes leaves to fall off treesfall off trees

• Used to assist in Used to assist in bombing raidsbombing raids

• Highly toxic Highly toxic

How did the North VietnameseHow did the North VietnameseFight Back Against the U.S. Fight Back Against the U.S.

Invaders?Invaders?• The North Vietnamese used classic The North Vietnamese used classic

Maoist guerrilla tactics. Maoist guerrilla tactics. “Guerrillas “Guerrillas must move through the peasants must move through the peasants like fish through sea,” like fish through sea,” i.e., the i.e., the peasants will support them as much peasants will support them as much as they can with shelter, food, as they can with shelter, food, weapons, storage, intelligence, weapons, storage, intelligence, recruits. recruits.

No Hiding It NowNo Hiding It Now

1) Phosphorous & 1) Phosphorous & Napalm Bombing – Int’l Napalm Bombing – Int’l

OutcryOutcry• Vietnam got broad Vietnam got broad

support against US support against US tactics.tactics.

2) North Vietnamese 2) North Vietnamese TacticsTactics

• Their weapons were Their weapons were cheap cheap and reliable.and reliable.

– The AK47 assault rifle out-performed the American The AK47 assault rifle out-performed the American M16M16

– The portable rocket launcher took out many US The portable rocket launcher took out many US vehicles & aircraft.vehicles & aircraft.

– They recycledThey recycled dud bombs dropped by the dud bombs dropped by the AmericansAmericans

3) Tunnel Complexes3) Tunnel Complexes

• The Vietnamese built large tunnel The Vietnamese built large tunnel complexes such as the ones at Cu Chi complexes such as the ones at Cu Chi near Saigon. This protected them near Saigon. This protected them from the bombing raids by the from the bombing raids by the Americans and gave them cover for Americans and gave them cover for attacking the invaders. attacking the invaders.

4) Large Offensives 4) Large Offensives

• Tet Offensive Tet Offensive • A massive series A massive series

of surprise of surprise attacks at attacks at American American targetstargets

How Did the Americans How Did the Americans Fight Back?Fight Back?

• Escalation of Escalation of bombing bombing campaign into campaign into neighboring neighboring countriescountries

• Sending more Sending more troops – Draft troops – Draft Lottery Lottery

Search & Destroy TacticsSearch & Destroy Tactics• The United States countered The United States countered

with “Search and Destroy” with “Search and Destroy” tactics. In areas where the tactics. In areas where the NLF were thought to be NLF were thought to be operating, troops went in operating, troops went in and checked for weapons. If and checked for weapons. If they found them, they found them,

they rounded up the villagers and burned the they rounded up the villagers and burned the villages down. villages down.

• This often alienated the peasants from the This often alienated the peasants from the American/South Vietnamese cause. American/South Vietnamese cause. – As one marine said – “If they weren’t Vietcong As one marine said – “If they weren’t Vietcong

before we got there, they sure as hell were by the before we got there, they sure as hell were by the time we left”. time we left”.

– The NFL often helped the villager’s re-build their The NFL often helped the villager’s re-build their homes and bury their dead.homes and bury their dead.

A War Turns DarkA War Turns Dark

• Growing American Growing American frustration frustration

• Bombing was Bombing was difficultdifficult

• Guerilla warfare Guerilla warfare psychological tollpsychological toll

• Harsh conditionsHarsh conditions• NVA/VietcongNVA/Vietcong

Seemingly Seemingly everywhereeverywhere

Let’s Do the Whole Let’s Do the Whole Village: Village:

My Lai MassacreMy Lai Massacre• Using the Using the

provided article, provided article, explain what explain what happened.happened.

• Why was My Lai Why was My Lai a reflection of a reflection of the Vietnam the Vietnam War?War?

Just Following OrdersJust Following Orders

The War in AmericaThe War in America

• The Vietnam War had a major The Vietnam War had a major impact on everyday life in impact on everyday life in America, and the America, and the Johnson/Nixon administration Johnson/Nixon administration was forced to consider was forced to consider domestic consequences of its domestic consequences of its decisions daily.decisions daily.

• Canadian peace activists Canadian peace activists joined their American joined their American counterpartscounterparts

• Draft DodgersDraft Dodgers• 10,000 + Canadians joined 10,000 + Canadians joined

US armyUS army

Anti-War SentimentsAnti-War Sentiments

• As the deaths As the deaths mounted and mounted and Americans Americans continued to leave continued to leave for Southeast Asia, for Southeast Asia, the Johnson the Johnson administration was administration was met with the full met with the full weight of American weight of American anti-war anti-war sentiments. sentiments.

The Times Are a The Times Are a Changing…Changing…

• As the 1960s advanced social As the 1960s advanced social change picked upchange picked up

• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – Civil Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – Civil Rights MovementRights Movement

• Harvey Milk – Openly gay politician Harvey Milk – Openly gay politician – San Francisco – gay/lesbian rights – San Francisco – gay/lesbian rights advocateadvocate

Protest!Protest!

• A golden age for protest musicA golden age for protest music• Bands became social activists as Bands became social activists as

well as musicians well as musicians

Assignment time!Assignment time!

1968 Democratic 1968 Democratic ConventionConvention

• One of the most famous One of the most famous incidents in the anti-war incidents in the anti-war movement was the police riot in movement was the police riot in Chicago during the 1968 Chicago during the 1968 Democratic National Democratic National Convention.Convention.

• Hundreds of thousands of Hundreds of thousands of people came to Chicago in people came to Chicago in August 1968 to protest August 1968 to protest American intervention in American intervention in Vietnam and the leaders of the Vietnam and the leaders of the Democratic Party who Democratic Party who continued to prosecute the war. continued to prosecute the war.

The Tet OffensiveThe Tet Offensive• By 1968, things had gone from bad to worse for By 1968, things had gone from bad to worse for

the Johnson administration. In late January, the Johnson administration. In late January, North Vietnam and the NLF launched North Vietnam and the NLF launched coordinated attacks against major southern coordinated attacks against major southern cities.cities.

• These attacks, known as the Tet Offensive, were These attacks, known as the Tet Offensive, were designed to force the Johnson administration to designed to force the Johnson administration to the bargaining table. the bargaining table.

The My Lai MassacreThe My Lai Massacre• A serious blow to U.S. credibility A serious blow to U.S. credibility

came with the exposure of the My Lai came with the exposure of the My Lai massacre (March 1968).massacre (March 1968).

• Hushed up at the time and only Hushed up at the time and only discovered by a tenacious journalist, discovered by a tenacious journalist, this involved the killing of 400 men, this involved the killing of 400 men, women and children by US troops.  women and children by US troops. 

A Secret Plan to End the A Secret Plan to End the WarWar

• In late March 1968, a disgraced In late March 1968, a disgraced Lyndon Johnson announced that Lyndon Johnson announced that he would not seek the Democratic he would not seek the Democratic Party's re-nomination for president Party's re-nomination for president and hinted that he would go to the and hinted that he would go to the bargaining table with the bargaining table with the Communists to end the war.Communists to end the war.

• Negotiations began in the spring Negotiations began in the spring of 1968, but the Democratic Party of 1968, but the Democratic Party could not rescue the presidency could not rescue the presidency from Republican challenger from Republican challenger Richard Nixon who claimed he had Richard Nixon who claimed he had a secret plan to end the war. a secret plan to end the war.

VietnamizationVietnamization

• Nixon's secret plan Nixon's secret plan involved a process called involved a process called “Vietnamization.” This “Vietnamization.” This strategy brought American strategy brought American troops home while troops home while increasing the air war increasing the air war over North Vietnam and over North Vietnam and relying more on the South relying more on the South Vietnamese army for Vietnamese army for ground attacks. ground attacks.

Expansion to Laos & Expansion to Laos & CambodiaCambodia

• The Nixon years also saw the expansion of The Nixon years also saw the expansion of the war into neighboring Laos and the war into neighboring Laos and Cambodia, violating the international Cambodia, violating the international rights of these countries in secret rights of these countries in secret campaigns, as the White House tried campaigns, as the White House tried desperately to rout out Communist desperately to rout out Communist sanctuaries and supply routes.sanctuaries and supply routes.

Campus Protests & Campus Protests & ShootingsShootings

• The intense The intense bombing bombing campaigns and campaigns and intervention in intervention in Cambodia in late Cambodia in late April 1970 April 1970 sparked intense sparked intense campus protests campus protests all across all across America. America.

Kent StateKent State

• At Kent State in At Kent State in Ohio, four Ohio, four students were students were killed by National killed by National Guardsmen who Guardsmen who were called out to were called out to preserve order on preserve order on campus after days campus after days of anti-Nixon of anti-Nixon protest.protest.

Jackson StateJackson State

• Shock waves crossed the Shock waves crossed the nation as students at nation as students at Jackson State in Jackson State in Mississippi were also Mississippi were also shot and killed for shot and killed for political reasons, political reasons, prompting one mother to prompting one mother to cry, "They are killing our cry, "They are killing our babies in Vietnam and in babies in Vietnam and in our own backyard." our own backyard."

The Christmas BombingsThe Christmas Bombings• In December 1972, the Nixon administration In December 1972, the Nixon administration

unleashed a series of deadly bombing raids unleashed a series of deadly bombing raids against targets in North Vietnam’s largest against targets in North Vietnam’s largest cities, Hanoi and Haiphong. cities, Hanoi and Haiphong.

• These attacks, now known as the Christmas These attacks, now known as the Christmas bombings, brought immediate condemnation bombings, brought immediate condemnation from the international community and from the international community and forced the Nixon administration to forced the Nixon administration to reconsider its tactics and negotiation reconsider its tactics and negotiation strategy. strategy.

The Paris Peace The Paris Peace AgreementAgreement

• In early January 1973, the In early January 1973, the Nixon White House convinced Nixon White House convinced Saigon that they would not Saigon that they would not abandon the South abandon the South Vietnamese army if they Vietnamese army if they signed the peace accord. signed the peace accord.

• On January 23, therefore, the On January 23, therefore, the final draft was initialed, final draft was initialed, ending open hostilities ending open hostilities between the United States between the United States and North Vietnam. and North Vietnam.

• The Paris Peace Agreement The Paris Peace Agreement did not end the conflict in did not end the conflict in Vietnam, however, as Saigon Vietnam, however, as Saigon continued to battle continued to battle Communist forces. Communist forces.

The Fall to CommunismThe Fall to Communism• From March 1973 until the fall From March 1973 until the fall

of Saigon on April 30, 1975, the of Saigon on April 30, 1975, the South Vietnamese army tried South Vietnamese army tried desperately to save the South desperately to save the South from political and military from political and military collapse. collapse.

• The end finally came when The end finally came when North Vietnamese tanks rolled North Vietnamese tanks rolled south along National Highway south along National Highway One. One.

• On the morning of April 30, On the morning of April 30, Communist forces captured the Communist forces captured the presidential palace in Saigon, presidential palace in Saigon, ending the Vietnam War. ending the Vietnam War.

Why Did the United States Why Did the United States Lose the Vietnam War?Lose the Vietnam War?

1.1. They They underestimatedunderestimated the tenacity the tenacity and organization of the North and organization of the North Vietnamese and the National Vietnamese and the National Liberation Front.   Liberation Front.  

2.2. Despite dropping Despite dropping more tonnage of more tonnage of high explosive on high explosive on Vietnam than the Vietnam than the whole of World whole of World War II, the War II, the Americans could Americans could not not stop the stop the movement of movement of troops or troops or supplies supplies to the to the south along the Ho south along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.   Chi Minh Trail.  

3.3. The North The North Vietnamese Vietnamese conducted a conducted a “Peoples “Peoples war” in war” in which everyone which everyone played a part. played a part.

4.4. At first, most Americans supported At first, most Americans supported the war. But by 1970, the the war. But by 1970, the Peace Peace Movement Movement had support from all had support from all parts of society and no government parts of society and no government could ignore it. could ignore it.

5.5. After 1969, there After 1969, there were deep were deep questions about questions about the the efficiency of efficiency of US troopsUS troops. There . There was a serious drug was a serious drug problem; desertion problem; desertion rates were high rates were high and morale low. and morale low. Many troops were Many troops were “time-servers,” “time-servers,” i.e., counted the i.e., counted the days until the tour days until the tour was over. was over.

6.6. The US The US never really never really understood the understood the culture culture of the of the Vietnamese people. Vietnamese people. Coca Cola, chewing Coca Cola, chewing gum, ball point pens, gum, ball point pens, and ice cream cones and ice cream cones could not dislodge could not dislodge their ancient beliefs. their ancient beliefs.

7.7. America was not prepared to keep America was not prepared to keep losing high losing high numbers of numbers of casualties casualties for such limited for such limited progress in a difficult jungle war, progress in a difficult jungle war, for which they were not suited.   for which they were not suited.  

8.8. The strength and The strength and resourcefulness resourcefulness of the NLFof the NLF. For example, the . For example, the highly complex Cu Chi tunnel highly complex Cu Chi tunnel system the U.S. never shut down.   system the U.S. never shut down.  

Khmer RougeKhmer Rouge

• Took advantage Took advantage of government of government weaknessweakness

• Agrarian utopiaAgrarian utopia• Year ZeroYear Zero• 2.5 million dead2.5 million dead

Legacy of VietnamLegacy of Vietnam

• Major ‘black eye’ Major ‘black eye’ for USAfor USA

• Weakened Weakened standing of US standing of US globallyglobally

• Altered perception Altered perception of US military at of US military at homehome

• Destabilized South-Destabilized South-East AsiaEast Asia

Bye, Bye Cold WarBye, Bye Cold War

• For the next 15 years the Cold War For the next 15 years the Cold War waged onwaged on

• Many notable events occurred – Many notable events occurred – Romanian Revolution / Falklands Romanian Revolution / Falklands War / USSR invasion of AfghanistanWar / USSR invasion of Afghanistan

• During the Reagan era the USA began During the Reagan era the USA began to outpace the USSR – militarily and to outpace the USSR – militarily and economicallyeconomically

Star WarsStar Wars

ABCABC

Glastnot & PerestroikaGlastnot & Perestroika

• New player – Mikhail Gorbachev New player – Mikhail Gorbachev • USSR experiment with “openness” & USSR experiment with “openness” &

“restructuring” “restructuring”

19891989

• Bowing to huge international and Bowing to huge international and domestic pressure, the Berlin Wall domestic pressure, the Berlin Wall fallsfalls

19911991

• Essentially bankrupt from military Essentially bankrupt from military spending, the USSR fallsspending, the USSR falls