Vietnam, Ch. 17Vietnam, Ch. 17

The ‘Cold War’ The ‘Cold War’ gets gets HOT HOT !!

I.I. Vietnam War (1959-Vietnam War (1959-1975)1975)

The French War in Indochina:The French War in Indochina:– At the end of WWII Ho Chi Minh and the Vietminh At the end of WWII Ho Chi Minh and the Vietminh

(the Vietnamese nationalist force) took over the (the Vietnamese nationalist force) took over the capital of Hanoi and declared Vietnam capital of Hanoi and declared Vietnam independent (1946).independent (1946).

– French were unwilling to give up their claims in French were unwilling to give up their claims in Indochina because of the valuable resources like Indochina because of the valuable resources like tin, rubber, and rice.tin, rubber, and rice.

– Faced a formidable foe in Ho and the Vietminh Faced a formidable foe in Ho and the Vietminh who did not want foreign rule.who did not want foreign rule.

– Vietminh practiced guerilla warfare.Vietminh practiced guerilla warfare.

A. Ho Chi Minh – communistVietnamese leader.

U.S. Support for the FrenchU.S. Support for the French 1950 – Truman agreed to send 1950 – Truman agreed to send

$20 million to the French. $20 million to the French. Practices the policy of Practices the policy of

containmentcontainment – opposing – opposing communism wherever it communism wherever it appeared in an effort to appeared in an effort to “contain” its spread.“contain” its spread.

In May 1954 the Vietminh In May 1954 the Vietminh overran Dien Bien Phu and it overran Dien Bien Phu and it ended French control of ended French control of Vietnam.Vietnam.

In 1956, representatives from In 1956, representatives from the U.S., France, Great Britain, the U.S., France, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, China, Laos, the Soviet Union, China, Laos, Cambodia, and the Vietminh Cambodia, and the Vietminh agreed that Vietnam would be agreed that Vietnam would be divided at the divided at the 17th parallel17th parallel and then reunified in 1956 and then reunified in 1956 after national elections.after national elections.

B. Domino Theory – If Communists won in Vietnam, other nations in SE Asia would fall.

The U.S. did not sign the agreement for fear that if South Vietnam became The U.S. did not sign the agreement for fear that if South Vietnam became communist, other nations of SE Asia would do likewise (the Domino Theory). communist, other nations of SE Asia would do likewise (the Domino Theory).

Vietnam in a Civil War.Vietnam in a Civil War.

U.S. PresidentEisenhower.

U.S. hoped U.S. hoped Ngo Dinh DiemNgo Dinh Diem (1955-63) would be the savior (1955-63) would be the savior of South Vietnam: Nationalist, of South Vietnam: Nationalist, Anti-communist, and refused to Anti-communist, and refused to weaken the ruling class, weaken the ruling class, thereby infuriating the thereby infuriating the peasants.peasants.

Discontent among the Discontent among the peasants with Diem made it peasants with Diem made it easy for Vietminh to gain easy for Vietminh to gain support in South Vietnam.support in South Vietnam.

Vietminh and other groups in Vietminh and other groups in South Vietnam who oppose South Vietnam who oppose Diem form the National Diem form the National Liberation Front (the Liberation Front (the VietcongVietcong, , aka VC) = close ties with Ho aka VC) = close ties with Ho Chi Minh, China, and the Soviet Chi Minh, China, and the Soviet Union.Union.

C.C. JFK expands U.S. JFK expands U.S. role role in Vietnam (1963).in Vietnam (1963).

1.1. Sends Sends advisers advisers and and $.$.

Instead of using the $ for Instead of using the $ for

schools, hospitals, and land schools, hospitals, and land reform, Diem pads the pockets reform, Diem pads the pockets of corrupt Saigon officials.of corrupt Saigon officials.

No significant military victories No significant military victories over the Vietcong.over the Vietcong.

Johnson did not want Johnson did not want Vietnam to fall to Vietnam to fall to communism like China.communism like China.

Surrounded himself with Surrounded himself with JFK’s foreign policy team JFK’s foreign policy team (Sec. of State Dean Rusk, (Sec. of State Dean Rusk, Sec. of Defense Robert Sec. of Defense Robert McNamara, and NSA McNamara, and NSA McGeorge Bundy.McGeorge Bundy.

The Vietnam War was one of the most divisive wars in the history of the U.S. The war divided generations, families, and classes. All told, the United States lost over 58,000 men and women in a fruitless struggle

to halt the spread of Vietnamese nationalism, while spending anywhere from $112 to $155 billion to defeat North Vietnam.

D. President Johnson increased combat troops (1965).

August, 1965 – LBJ announced N. Vietnamese torpedo boats August, 1965 – LBJ announced N. Vietnamese torpedo boats had attacked two U.S. destroyers patrolling in the Gulf of had attacked two U.S. destroyers patrolling in the Gulf of Tonkin.Tonkin.

Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. Gave LBJ the authority to “Gave LBJ the authority to “take all necessary measures to take all necessary measures to

repel any armed attack against the forces of the United repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggressionStates and to prevent further aggression.”.”

Gave LBJ authorization, Gave LBJ authorization, without a formal declaration of warwithout a formal declaration of war by by Congress, for the use of military force in SE Asia. Congress, for the use of military force in SE Asia.

The Johnson administration subsequently cited the resolution The Johnson administration subsequently cited the resolution as as legal authority for its rapid escalation of U.S. legal authority for its rapid escalation of U.S. military involvementmilitary involvement in the Vietnam conflict. in the Vietnam conflict.

LBJ failed to tell the public that American LBJ failed to tell the public that American warships had been helping South Vietnamesewarships had been helping South Vietnamesecommandos raid 2 North Vietnam islands the commandos raid 2 North Vietnam islands the night of the attacks.night of the attacks.

E.E. ‘Gulf of Tonkin’ Resolution (1965) – ‘Gulf of Tonkin’ Resolution (1965) – Gave LBJ legal authority to increase Gave LBJ legal authority to increase involvement; start of war.involvement; start of war.

Feb. 1965, VC forces attacked a U.S. Feb. 1965, VC forces attacked a U.S. military base at Pleiku, South Vietnam military base at Pleiku, South Vietnam killing 8 Americans.killing 8 Americans.

LBJ orders bombing of major bases, roadways, and railways LBJ orders bombing of major bases, roadways, and railways including the “Ho Chi Minh Trail” (a supply line of dirt roads including the “Ho Chi Minh Trail” (a supply line of dirt roads and trails which supplies flowed from North Vietnam and trails which supplies flowed from North Vietnam through Laos and Cambodia into South Vietnam.through Laos and Cambodia into South Vietnam.

By the end of 1965, more than 180,000 By the end of 1965, more than 180,000 Americans were in South Vietnam.Americans were in South Vietnam.

By the end of 1967, nearly 500,000 soldiers had By the end of 1967, nearly 500,000 soldiers had been sent to Vietnam.been sent to Vietnam.

“Hay, Hay, LBJ, how many kids did you kill today”-- Anti-Vietnam War chant

At first, Americans were At first, Americans were optimistic of ending the optimistic of ending the war quickly.war quickly.

High VC body counts led High VC body counts led many to believe the U.S. many to believe the U.S. was winning the war.was winning the war.

Underestimated the VC Underestimated the VC and North Vietnamese and North Vietnamese allies.allies.

““You can kill 10 of my You can kill 10 of my men for every one I kill men for every one I kill of yours, but even at of yours, but even at those odds, you will lose those odds, you will lose and I will winand I will win.” .”

-- Ho Chi Minh-- Ho Chi Minh

Bombing cost fewer lives Bombing cost fewer lives than ground combat; than ground combat; U.S. relied heavy on air U.S. relied heavy on air power.power.

108,000 bombing raids in 108,000 bombing raids in 1967.1967.

Bomb roads, railways, Bomb roads, railways, factories, & homes in factories, & homes in South Vietnam, Laos, & South Vietnam, Laos, & Cambodia.Cambodia.

By 1967 the U.S. had By 1967 the U.S. had dropped more bombs on dropped more bombs on Vietnam than the Allies Vietnam than the Allies dropped during WWII.dropped during WWII.

To evade the bombs, the To evade the bombs, the VC developed an VC developed an extensive network of extensive network of underground tunnels.underground tunnels.A U.S. EB-66 Destroyer and four F-105

Thunderchiefs dropping bombs on North Vietnam.

The VietcongThe Vietcongtunnelstunnels

Miserable conditions.Miserable conditions. Suffocating heat, mosquitoes, leeches, etc.Suffocating heat, mosquitoes, leeches, etc. Muddy trails.Muddy trails. ““Bouncing Betties.”Bouncing Betties.” Farmers by day, VC by night - did not Farmers by day, VC by night - did not

know who the enemy was (card game).know who the enemy was (card game).

Viet Cong base camp after an attack.

VietCong had 2 advantages:VietCong had 2 advantages:1. 1. They knew the terrain,They knew the terrain,2. 2. Support of the peasants who supplied them with food, Support of the peasants who supplied them with food, shelter, shelter, and intelligence.and intelligence.

U.S. Pacification program – uprooting entire villages and U.S. Pacification program – uprooting entire villages and forcing the people to move to cities or refugee camps forcing the people to move to cities or refugee camps surrounded by barbed wire and then the troops burned the surrounded by barbed wire and then the troops burned the fields and empty villagesfields and empty villages(Upset the peasants).(Upset the peasants).

Troops also tried development projects where they offered Troops also tried development projects where they offered medical care and farming advice. But it was too little, too late.medical care and farming advice. But it was too little, too late.

F. Guerrilla Tactics – Vietnamese avoided Vietnamese avoided open battles.open battles. 1. Ambushes, hit-and-run raids, 1. Ambushes, hit-and-run raids,

sabotage.sabotage.

The Vietcong were masters The Vietcong were masters at moving through & blending at moving through & blending

into the local terrain.into the local terrain.

G.G. The Tet Offensive (1968) – VC The Tet Offensive (1968) – VC attack attack started lunar new year day; started lunar new year day; turning turning point of war.point of war.

National Chief of Police Nguyen Ngoc Loan, executes an NLF officer in Saigon during Tet.

Images of the killing shocked the world.

The Tet Offensive is widely seen as the turning point of the war.

Johnson Leaves the Presidential Race in 1968.Johnson Leaves the Presidential Race in 1968. Robert Kennedy sees Johnson is vulnerable and joins the race.Robert Kennedy sees Johnson is vulnerable and joins the race. In April, James Earl Ray was arrested for killing MLK, Jr.In April, James Earl Ray was arrested for killing MLK, Jr. June, assassination of Robert F. Kennedy (just after winning the June, assassination of Robert F. Kennedy (just after winning the

CA CA Democratic primary).Democratic primary). August of ‘68, Antiwar protesters and police clash at the August of ‘68, Antiwar protesters and police clash at the

Democratic Democratic National Convention in Chicago.National Convention in Chicago. Nixon wins over Hubert Humphrey and independent George Nixon wins over Hubert Humphrey and independent George

Wallace; Wallace; Nixon promise to unify nation and restore law and Nixon promise to unify nation and restore law and order.order.

Nixon – 43%, Humphrey – 42.7%, Wallace – 13% of popular vote.Nixon – 43%, Humphrey – 42.7%, Wallace – 13% of popular vote.

"I shall not seek, and I will not "I shall not seek, and I will not accept the nomination of my partyaccept the nomination of my partyfor another term as your President" for another term as your President"

-- President Johnson, 1968-- President Johnson, 1968

“Hey, hey, LBJ, how manykids did you kill today?”

-- chant by protesters

‘‘Masters of War’Masters of War’by Bob Dylan (1963)by Bob Dylan (1963)

Come you masters of warCome you masters of warYou that build all the gunsYou that build all the gunsYou that build the death You that build the death planesplanesYou that build the big bombsYou that build the big bombsYou that hide behind wallsYou that hide behind wallsYou that hide behind desksYou that hide behind desksI just want you to knowI just want you to knowI can see through your I can see through your masksmasksYou that never done nothin'You that never done nothin'But build to destroyBut build to destroyYou play with my worldYou play with my worldLike it's your little toyLike it's your little toyYou put a gun in my handYou put a gun in my handAnd you hide from my eyesAnd you hide from my eyesAnd you turn and run fartherAnd you turn and run fartherWhen the fast bullets flyWhen the fast bullets flyLike Judas of oldLike Judas of oldYou lie and deceiveYou lie and deceiveA world war can be wonA world war can be wonYou want me to believeYou want me to believeBut I see through your eyesBut I see through your eyesAnd I see through your brainAnd I see through your brainLike I see through the waterLike I see through the waterThat runs down my drainThat runs down my drain

You fasten the triggersYou fasten the triggersFor the others to fireFor the others to fireThen you set back and Then you set back and watchwatchWhen the death count When the death count gets highergets higherYou hide in your mansionYou hide in your mansionAs young people's bloodAs young people's bloodFlows out of their bodiesFlows out of their bodiesAnd is buried in the mudAnd is buried in the mudYou've thrown the worst You've thrown the worst fearfearThat can ever be hurledThat can ever be hurledFear to bring childrenFear to bring childrenInto the worldInto the worldFor threatening my babyFor threatening my babyUnborn and unnamedUnborn and unnamedYou ain't worth the bloodYou ain't worth the bloodThat runs in your veinsThat runs in your veinsHow much do I knowHow much do I knowTo talk out of turnTo talk out of turnYou might say that I'm You might say that I'm youngyoungYou might say I'm You might say I'm unlearnedunlearned

But there's one thing I But there's one thing I knowknowThough I'm younger than Though I'm younger than youyouEven Jesus would neverEven Jesus would neverForgive what you doForgive what you doLet me ask you one Let me ask you one questionquestionIs your money that goodIs your money that goodWill it buy you forgivenessWill it buy you forgivenessDo you think that it couldDo you think that it couldI think you will findI think you will findWhen your death takes its When your death takes its tolltollAll the money you madeAll the money you madeWill never buy back your Will never buy back your soulsoulAnd I hope that you dieAnd I hope that you dieAnd your death'll come And your death'll come soonsoonI will follow your casketI will follow your casketIn the pale afternoonIn the pale afternoonAnd I'll watch while you're And I'll watch while you're loweredloweredDown to your deathbedDown to your deathbedAnd I'll stand o'er your And I'll stand o'er your gravegrave'Til I'm sure that you're 'Til I'm sure that you're deaddead

The 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago, IL.The 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago, IL.

In Grant Park, demonstrators "take the hill" and climb onto the statue of a Civil war generalafter the police refuse to let them march.

In front of the Hilton, people flowinto the streets while the National Guard lines up to drive them out.

Average soldier was 19 years old.Average soldier was 19 years old. Faced a daily horrors – Faced a daily horrors –

mud, heat, booby traps, mud, heat, booby traps,

and an invisible enemy.and an invisible enemy. Agent Orange.Agent Orange.

Burning draft cards.

Anti-war demonstration.

Kent State Univ. (Ohio) May 4, 1970.During a 3-day protest, four students

were killed by the Ohio State National Guard.

The song “Ohio” by Crosby, Stills, and Nash, protesting

the deaths of anti-war protestors.

► President Nixon expanded the war into neighboring Cambodia.

Tin soldiers and Nixon's Tin soldiers and Nixon's comin'.comin'.We're finally on our own.We're finally on our own.This summer I hear the This summer I hear the drummin'.drummin'.Four dead in Ohio.Four dead in Ohio.

Gotta get down to it.Gotta get down to it.Soldiers are gunning us Soldiers are gunning us down.down.Should have been done long Should have been done long ago.ago.What if you knew her andWhat if you knew her andFound her dead on the Found her dead on the ground?ground?How can you run when you How can you run when you know?know?

Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na.Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na.Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na.Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na.Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na.Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na.Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na.Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na.

“Ohio” by Crosby, Stills, and Nash.

Gotta get down to it.Gotta get down to it.Soldiers are cutting us down.Soldiers are cutting us down.Should have been done long ago.Should have been done long ago.What if you knew her andWhat if you knew her andFound her dead on the ground?Found her dead on the ground?How can you run when you know?How can you run when you know?

Tin soldiers and Nixon's comin'.Tin soldiers and Nixon's comin'.We're finally on our own.We're finally on our own.This summer I hear the drummin'.This summer I hear the drummin'.Four dead in Ohio.Four dead in Ohio.Four dead in Ohio.Four dead in Ohio.Four dead in Ohio.Four dead in Ohio.Four dead in Ohio.Four dead in Ohio.Four dead in Ohio.Four dead in Ohio.Four dead in Ohio.Four dead in Ohio.

Vietnam civilians try to board an Air America

helicopter on an apartment rooftop in

Saigon, April 29, 1975. This is

perhaps the most famous image from the

Fall of Saigon.

The Paris Peace Accord of 1973 started the withdrawal of

U.S. troops. The war claimed 58,000 U.S.

combat dead and the lives of between 2 and 5.1 million

Vietnamese, a large number of whom were civilians. On July 2, 1976, the Socialist

Republic of Vietnam was declared.

In 1977, President Jimmy Carter issued a pardon for nearly 10,000 draft dodgers.

All told, the United States lost over 58,000 men and women, spending up to $155 billion to defeat North Vietnam.

H.H. The legacy of Vietnam.The legacy of Vietnam.

1.1. War Powers Act (1973) – War Powers Act (1973) – Congress Congress reestablishes some reestablishes some limits on executive limits on executive power.power.

The The War Powers Act of 1973War Powers Act of 1973, , aka the aka the War Powers War Powers

Resolution,Resolution, is a resolution of Congress that is a resolution of Congress that stated that the President can stated that the President can

send send troops into action abroad only troops into action abroad only

by authorization of Congress or by authorization of Congress or if if

American troops are already American troops are already under attack or serious threat.under attack or serious threat.

The United States had not filed a Declaration of war against any nation since June 05, 1942.

Vietnam was to AmericaVietnam was to America what the what the Spanish war was to Spanish war was to NapoleonNapoleon and and Afghanistan was to RussiaAfghanistan was to Russia..

It was a futile attempt to keep South Vietnam from It was a futile attempt to keep South Vietnam from falling under Communist influence. falling under Communist influence.

What started as assistance, led to a full-blown conflict What started as assistance, led to a full-blown conflict involving nearly half a million U.S. troops and billions involving nearly half a million U.S. troops and billions of dollars worth of equipment and arms. of dollars worth of equipment and arms.

The conflict lasted some The conflict lasted some 10 years10 years and it only ended in and it only ended in 1975 with America withdrawal and Communist troops 1975 with America withdrawal and Communist troops conquering South Vietnam.conquering South Vietnam.