america tries to contain communism in v.i.e.t.n.a.m. chapter 12: nixon’s the one
TRANSCRIPT
America tries to America tries to contain communism incontain communism in
V.I.E.T.N.A.M.V.I.E.T.N.A.M.
Chapter 12: Nixon’s the One
V.V. Before World War II, Vietnam was part of Indochina, a French colony
After World War II, Vietnam were led by communist Ho Chi Minh and fought for independence from the French
In 1954, the French were defeated and Vietnam was divided North (communist) and South (free)
Vietnam divided Vietnam divided North/SouthNorth/South
Chapter 12: Nixon’s the One
I.I. On August 2, 1964 two American naval ships were allegedly attacked by North Vietnamese ships
President Johnson used this attack as a reason to send U.S. forces into South Vietnam
Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution which gave the President to oppose “communist aggression”
““Incident” in Gulf of TonkinIncident” in Gulf of Tonkin
Chapter 12: Nixon’s the One
E.E. Operation Rolling Thunder was the name given to the U.S. Air Force’s gradual and sustained aerial bombing of North Vietnam
Operation Rolling Thunder lasted from May 1965 to November 1968
Early 1965: Operation Early 1965: Operation Rolling ThunderRolling Thunder
Chapter 12: Nixon’s the One
T.T. Communist launched offensive; for a time the communists controlled the American Embassy in Saigon
With images on T.V., the American public perceived that the U.S. was losing the war, however by the fall American forces destroyed the offensive completely
“Tet” was the name given to the Vietnamese New Year
Tet Offensive (1968)Tet Offensive (1968)
Chapter 12: Nixon’s the One
N.N. President Johnson was so unpopular due to the war that he did not run for reelection in 1968
Richard M. Nixon won the election and began what he called “Veitnamization”
“Vietnamization” meant that the South Vietnamese would increasingly take more responsibility for the war
Nixon’s “Vietnamization” Nixon’s “Vietnamization” policypolicy
Chapter 12: Nixon’s the One
A.A. After the Tet Offensive, the American public increasingly opposed the war
Anti-war activist were especially well organized on college campuses
Opposition to the military draft also drove anti-war sentiment
Anti-war movement growsAnti-war movement grows
Chapter 12: Nixon’s the One
M.M. On March 16, 1968 a unit of American soldiers shot and killed approximately 350 Vietnamese unarmed citizens at the village of My Lai
The massacre created widespread outrage both in and outside the United States and contributed to the declining support for the war
My Lai MassacreMy Lai Massacre
Chapter 12: Nixon’s the One