war at home and abroad 29.2. main idea as the us sent increasing numbers of troops to defend south...
TRANSCRIPT
War at Home and Abroad
29.2
Main Idea
• As the US sent increasing numbers of troops to defend South Vietnam, some Americans began to question the war.
The Air War
• First US method of attack is a series of bombing missions against strategic targets called Operation Rolling Thunder.
• Targeted roads, bases, and power plants.• Trails that linked the North to Vietcong allies in
the south were also targets.
The Air War
• To combat the thick jungle vegetation, Agent Orange
• This chemical killed nearly anything it touched and contaminated the water supplies.
• Napalm, a sprayable, flammable chemical was used to destroy farms and rout out enemies.
Effects of Agent Orange
Napalm
The Air War
• The US had hoped to break the will to fight of the North Vietnamese, instead they intensified it.
• More South Vietnamese also joined the ranks of the Vietcong.
• More support (weapons, technology) came from China and the USSR
The Air War
• Many supplies were being smuggled to the south through Cambodia and Laos
• This broadening of the war cost the US many supporters at home, and abroad.
The Ground War
• General William Westmoreland: in charge of ground forces.
• Great difficulty in fighting the guerrilla techniques of enemies
• Soldiers never truly knew who the enemy was
Troop Morale
• Troops became frustrated
• Always concerned about trust, booby traps!
• Difficult to measure success, every town taken would fall back into enemy hands once troops left
The Draft
• The need for troops forced the government to increase the draft.
• Many Americans answered the call and served proudly.
• Some considered this unfair.
• Violators either fled the US or spent time in jail.
Public Opinion
• TV crews were allowed to film combat operations (1st war for TV)
• Reporters often criticized the military and government officials.
• The violence of war was brought from Asia all the way home to Americans living rooms
• Many AA, who were protesting for Civil Rights, resented the involvement of blacks in the war.
Antiwar Movement Grows
• Most of the protests began at colleges
• Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) organized actions across the nation.
• The opponents of Vietnam were many, but greatly outnumbered by supporters of the war.
• These supporters were usually working men and women who were not as vocal as the protesters.