the us involvement grows - dhs history - us history
TRANSCRIPT
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The US Involvement GrowsChapter 16.21954-1975
What You Will Learn
• You have learned about the French losing Vietnam.
• Reminder: US is a French Allie, US wants to contain communism.
• Now you will learn about direct military involvement.
William Westmoreland
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Napalm
Hawk
Dove
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1. Americanizing the WarJohnson starts Operation Rolling Thunder (Americanization)6 million tons of bombs dropped (3X all bombs dropped in WWII)Added napalm and Agent OrangeDestructive, but the Vietcong did not give upThe Vietcong was elusive and determined
Operation Rolling Thunde#2599D3
STAR Questions!!!
STAR Questions!!!
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2. Patriotism, Heroism and Sinking Morale
Americans wanted to fight a traditional warThe Vietcong chose to bring the war to jungles, rice paddies and mountains. Clad in black pajamas, Vietcong gunmen would spring out of dense foliage, attack with automatic rifles and grenades, and disappear back into the landscape- usually at night.
At first, men volunteered for the war to defeat communism. But as it drug on, most of the men were drafted. Soldiers felt like they were dying for a bad government, and uncaring South Vietnamese.
http://www.history.com/videos/vietnam-war-tactics
3. Doubt Grows on the Home FrontThe war weakened the economy
Johnson’s Great society was supposed to spend money domestically- reduce poverty, improve education and medical care, fight racial discrimination, etc. BUT bombs and soldiers are EXPENSIVE.
Hawks wanted to continue fighting until we won.Doves said the war cost too much money and lives.