Vietnam War: “Americanizing the War”Focus Question:What were the causes and effects of America’s growing involvement in the Vietnam War?

American Strategies-1965

Increase military presence in Vietnam and increasethe fighting

“Americanize the War”

General William Westmoreland

“Americanizing” the War

Between 1965-1973

6 million tons of bombs on the enemy (3x more than WWII)

American Strategy

In addition to conventional weapons the U.S. will utilize chemical warfare:

NapalmAgent Orange

American Strategy

In addition to airstrikes:American troops landed in Vietnam March 8, 1965

Guarded bases-ex. Da Nang

Search and destroy to kill enemy guerillas-VC

Vietcong Doctrine: A Determined Enemy

Supplied with weapons, food, and fighters along the Ho Chi Minh Trail

Ho Chi Minh compared his troops to a tiger

Traveled light carrying a Rifle and some rice

Dug tunnels during the dayAttacked at night

**Wear down the enemy**

American Results

Did: disrupt industry and slow supplies, but not enough to divide Vietminh & Vietcong

Did Not:Cause the North Vietnamese to surrender or lose morale

The war escalates

By 1968: escalation of troops500,000 soldiers30,000 deathsAmerica’s Mission: to help South Vietnam build a stable government and win the hearts and minds of its citizens

However, many Americans question who is our enemy?

Defeating the Enemy

Vietcong and NVA avoided significant engagements

Fought smaller battlesSmall unit abilitiesHad knowledge of the land

Battlefield Conditions

Neutral CoverEnemy clad in black pajamasFighting at nightNot knowing your enemy

Women in War

About 10,000 women served Mostly as nurses

Morale Declines

By 1965 mostsoldiers had been drafted

Effect on the Economy

Enormous cost of fighting the war

Government:Raised taxes Cut back on Great Society programs

Anti-War Movement BeginsAfter Tonkin Gulf—Congress split on escalation of war by 1967

Hawks: mostly conservative Believed in containment policy Accepted rising troop rates, rising costs and rising battlefield deaths

Crucial front in the Cold War

Anti-War Movement BeginsDoves:

Liberal politicians, pacifists, student radicals, civil rights leaders

Questioned the war on moral and strategic grounds

Was a localized civil war William Fulbright began hearings in 1967-68 to investigate conflict- National Civil War or Cold War conflict?