the 60's

•35th President of the U.S., 1961-63•Served in WWII•Senator from Massachusetts•Popular president

ACHIEVEMENTS / EVENTS•New Frontier

•Space race---put a man on the moon

•Berlin Wall built

•Alliance for Progress and Peace Corp

•Cuban Missile Crisis

•U.S. involvement in Vietnam

•Negotiates first nuclear test ban treaty with Soviets

•Assassinated, Nov. 1963 by Lee Harvey Oswald?

The first televised presidential debates in US History took place

between John Kennedy and Richard Nixon

The first televised presidential debates in US History took place

between John Kennedy and Richard Nixon

These debates impacted how the presidency would be perceived by Americans.

John Kennedy

Won a close and disputed election.

Youngest president to be elected.

42 years of age.

The Election of 1960The Election of 1960

A New Type of Candidate• Democratic Senator John F.

Kennedy had served in the House and Senate for 14 years when he ran for President in 1960.

• Still, some questioned his candidacy because of his young age, 43, and his Roman Catholic religious beliefs.

• Kennedy proved to be an engaging television personality during the 1960 presidential debates, the first such debates to be televised.

A Narrow Kennedy Victory• Kennedy won the 1960 election

by an extremely close margin. • Kennedy was separated from his

opponent, Republican Richard Nixon, by fewer than 119,000 popular votes out of nearly 69 million cast.

• Because of the close election, Kennedy entered office without a mandate, or public endorsement of his proposals.

The Kennedy Mystique• Kennedy wins presidency in close election• Critics argue his smooth style lacks substance• Kennedy White House known as Camelot for its glamour,

culture, wit• First Lady admired for her elegance; constant articles

about family

The Camelot Years

The Best and the Brightest• JFK’s advisers called “the best and the brightest”• Brother Robert Kennedy named attorney general

KENNEDY PRESIDENCYKENNEDY PRESIDENCY

Kennedy's New Frontier Domestic Program

•Federal funding for education•Medical care for the elderly•Government intervention to halt the recession with tax cuts. •End to racial discrimination.

•Established•Alliance for Progress and Peace Corps to help Third World countries•President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity to end racial discrimination in hiring of govt employees.

New Frontier impossible to complete•Due to conservative Congress. •Disappointed many civil rights activists = feared splitting Democratic Party.•New Frontier ideas led to President Johnson's "Great Society"

Kennedy's New Frontier Domestic Program

•Federal funding for education•Medical care for the elderly•Government intervention to halt the recession with tax cuts. •End to racial discrimination.

•Established•Alliance for Progress and Peace Corps to help Third World countries•President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity to end racial discrimination in hiring of govt employees.

New Frontier impossible to complete•Due to conservative Congress. •Disappointed many civil rights activists = feared splitting Democratic Party.•New Frontier ideas led to President Johnson's "Great Society"

Alliance for Progress

statistics in Latin America.

Alliance for Progress

statistics in Latin America.

Kennedy’s Domestic ProgramsKennedy’s Domestic Programs

• In a speech early in his presidency, Kennedy said that the nation was poised at the edge of a “New Frontier.”

• This phrase came to refer to Kennedy’s proposals to improve the economy, assist the poor, and speed up the space program.

• Kennedy’s efforts to improve the economy included ordering a federal investigation into steel price fixing and proposing a large tax cut. His tax cut proposal, however, became stuck in Congress.

• Many of Kennedy’s proposals aimed to combat poverty and inequality. Although some were rejected by Congress, others were passed.

• These included an increase in the minimum wage, funding for urban renewal, abolishment of poll taxes, and the Equal Pay Act, which required all employees doing the same work in the same workplace to receive equal wages.

A New Military PolicyDefining a Military Strategy• JFK believes must redefine nation’s nuclear strategy• Flexible response—fight conventional wars, keep

nuclear arms balanced• JFK increases defense spending in three areas:

- strengthens conventional forces- creates army Special Forces (Green Berets)- triples nuclear capabilities

KENNEDY FOREIGN POLICYKENNEDY FOREIGN POLICY

Crisis over Berlin

The Berlin Crisis• By 1961 20% of Germans flee to West Berlin; economic drain on

East• Khrushchev wants to close access roads to West Berlin; JFK

refuses• Soviets isolate West Berlin from East Germany with Berlin Wall

Searching for Ways to Ease Tensions• Khrushchev, Kennedy conscious of danger of quick decisions• Establish hot line—direct phone between White House, Kremlin• Limited Test Ban Treaty bans nuclear tests in atmosphere

Taking advantage of a demoralized

US after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion and the

U-2 spy plane incident,

Khruschev orders Allies out of West

Berlin….

Taking advantage of a demoralized

US after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion and the

U-2 spy plane incident,

Khruschev orders Allies out of West

Berlin….

BERLIN WALLBERLIN WALL

A young woman and her boyfriend talking to the woman’s mother, who is on the east side of the Berlin Wall (1962).

•1961, Soviet Union built the Berlin Wall to force Allies out of West Berlin. Became a symbol of the Cold War. Berlin

would by be a divided city.

•Families and friends found themselves

separated and most Berliners were lucky

just to establish visual contact over

the Wall.

•Stretching for more than 100 miles, escape was virtually impossible because of mines, attack dogs and armed

guards with shoot-to-kill orders.

Crises over Cuba

The Cuban Dilemma• Revolutionary leader Fidel Castro declares

himself communist- seizes U.S. properties; Eisenhower cuts off diplomatic relations

• 10% of Cuban population goes into exile; mostly to U.S.

Continued . . .

The Bay of Pigs• Cuban exiles, CIA plan invasion to topple Castro• Plans go wrong; exile forces killed, taken prisoner• JFK pays ransom in food, medicine; mission is

public embarrassment

•CIA operative to overthrow Fidel Castro’s dictatorship

•U.S. feared Castro was becoming an ally with the

Soviet Union.

•Failed invasion of Cuba in April of 1961.

•Embarrassment for President Kennedy because

the U.S. tried to cover up their involvement.

Crises over Cuba

The Cuban Missile Crisis• Nikita Khrushchev sends weapons to Cuba,

including nuclear missiles • JFK warns Soviets that missile attack will trigger war

on U.S.S.R.• Soviets avoid confrontation at sea; reach agreement

with U.S.

Kennedy and Khrushchev Take the Heat• Khrushchev’s prestige severely damaged in U.S.S.R.• JFK criticized for brinkmanship, also for not ousting

Castro• Cuban exiles switch to GOP; Castro bans flights to

and from Miami

•This U-2 reconnaissance photo showed concrete evidence of missile This U-2 reconnaissance photo showed concrete evidence of missile assembly in Cuba. Shown here are missile transporters and missile-assembly in Cuba. Shown here are missile transporters and missile-ready tents where fueling and maintenance took place.ready tents where fueling and maintenance took place.Courtesy of Courtesy of

CIACIA

cuban missile2

•Low altitude view of missile preparation area. The pilot taking this shot flew at an altitude of about 250 feet, and at the speed of sound.

cuban missile2

Photographed from an RF-101 Voodoo, this view of a Soviet SA-2 (surface-to-air) missile pattern provided additional evidence of the Russian arming of

•The crisis developed as the U.S. demanded the Soviets to dismantle missiles in Cuba or the U.S. would

invade Cuba.

•Soviets refused to dismantle

missile sites unless

U.S. dismantled

missile sites in Turkey.

cuban missile2Adlai Stevenson shows aerial photos of Cuban missiles to

the United Nations in November 1962.

cuban missile2

President Kennedy in the Oval Office with General Curtis LeMay and reconnaissance pilots who flew the Cuban

missions. Third from the left is Major Richard Heyser who took the first photos of Cuban missiles.

•U.S. and Soviets prepared for war…..U.S. placed a U.S. and Soviets prepared for war…..U.S. placed a blockade around Cuba and warned Soviets not to blockade around Cuba and warned Soviets not to

break through the blockade. The Soviets sent their break through the blockade. The Soviets sent their Naval fleet to protect Cuba.Naval fleet to protect Cuba.

•Last minute decision made: Soviets would Last minute decision made: Soviets would dismantle missile sites in Cuba in return for U.S.not dismantle missile sites in Cuba in return for U.S.not

invading Cuba.invading Cuba.

•U.S. would later dismantle missile sites in U.S. would later dismantle missile sites in Turkey…..Not part of original deal.Turkey…..Not part of original deal.

•Kennedy and Khruschev both

realized how close they came to nuclear war.

•The “monster” of nuclear war must never be released.

•Both leaders vowed to better communicate

with one another.

•US and Soviet Union would sign their first nuclear arms limitation treaty in 1963.

•Kennedy and Khruschev both

realized how close they came to nuclear war.

•The “monster” of nuclear war must never be released.

•Both leaders vowed to better communicate

with one another.

•US and Soviet Union would sign their first nuclear arms limitation treaty in 1963.

Kennedy Is AssassinatedKennedy Is Assassinated

• On November 22, 1963, Kennedy was shot while riding in an open limousine through Dallas, Texas. He had traveled to Texas to mobilize support for his upcoming reelection campaign.

• Shots fired from the sixth-floor window of the empty Texas School Book Depository mortally wounded Kennedy, making Vice President Lyndon Johnson the new President.

• The prime suspect in Kennedy’s murder, Lee Harvey Oswald, was murdered by a man named Jack Ruby two days later, while being transferred from one jail to another.

• To investigate Kennedy’s murder, President Johnson appointed The President’s Commission on the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy, better known as the Warren Commission, after its chairman, Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren.

• The Warren Commission determined that Oswald had acted alone. However, theories that Oswald and Ruby had belonged to a conspiracy persisted.

Lee Harvey Oswald, “the lone gunman”, killed JFK……..Oswald murdered by Jack Ruby two days after

JFK’s murder…..

Lee Harvey Oswald, “the lone gunman”, killed JFK……..Oswald murdered by Jack Ruby two days after

JFK’s murder…..

lbj sworn in

assassination2

•WWII served in Navy as a lieutenant commander

•won Silver Star in the S. Pacific

•Member of U.S. House of Representatives, 1937- 49

•United States Senator, 1949 - 61

•Vice President, 1961- 63

•36th President, 1963 – 69

•Democrat, VP – Hubert Democrat, VP – Hubert HumphreyHumphrey

Major EventsMajor Events•Civil Rights Movement

•Civil Rights Act, 1964

•Voting Rights Act, 1965

•War On Poverty = "Great Society"

•Anti-Poverty Act, 1964

•Education reform

•Cold War = US involvement in Vietnam

Major EventsMajor Events•Civil Rights Movement

•Civil Rights Act, 1964

•Voting Rights Act, 1965

•War On Poverty = "Great Society"

•Anti-Poverty Act, 1964

•Education reform

•Cold War = US involvement in Vietnam

LBJ’s Path to the White HouseLBJ’s Path to the White House

• Lyndon Johnson became President unexpectedly following Kennedy’s assassination.

• However, his political career had been leading up to this position for many years.

• While serving in the House and Senate, Johnson had established a reputation for both his political talent and his ambition. In 1954, he

became Senate Majority Leader.

• Kennedy had named Johnson his running mate in 1960 after Johnson’s own bid for the Democratic nomination had failed.

• Johnson became President immediately after Kennedy’s death, taking the oath of office an hour and a half later.

The Election of 1964The Election of 1964

• In the 1964 election, Johnson won a landslide victory over Republican opponent Barry Goldwater.

• A controversial television advertisement known as the “daisy” commercial took advantage of Americans’ fear of nuclear war to support Johnson’s campaign.

• Republicans nominate Senator Barry Goldwater

– Goldwater: government should not deal with social, economic problems

– Threatens to bomb North Vietnam, advocates intervention• LBJ says will not send troops to Vietnam; wins by landslide• Democrats big majority; Southern Democrats not needed to pass bills

LBJ is re-elected by a landslide in

the 1964 Presidential

election.

LBJ is re-elected by a landslide in

the 1964 Presidential

election.

A poster urging voters to elect Lyndon B.

Johnson for president and Hubert Humphrey

for vice-president.

A poster urging voters to elect Lyndon B.

Johnson for president and Hubert Humphrey

for vice-president.

The Great SocietyThe Great Society

• Johnson used his talent in working with Congress to initiate many reforms on domestic issues.

• Johnson’s programs on poverty aid, education, healthcare, economic development, and conservation became collectively known as the Great Society.

GREAT SOCIETY

Great SocietyGreat Society•Under President Johnson

War on Poverty in the 1960s, the welfare

programs of FDR’s New Deal were greatly

expanded. •It was LBJ’s Great Society programs that created the modern American welfare welfare

statestate.

LBJ's Great SocietyLBJ's Great Society

Head Start(1965)

Provided poor, disabled, and minority kids with extra academic assistance through pre-school in order to ensure educational success.

Job Corps(1966)

Provided training for poor, minority inner-city youth in order to cultivate job skills.

Medicare(1965)

Extended Social Security benefits by providing health insurance for the elderly.

Medicaid(1966)

Provides health insurance for the poor and disabled.

VISTA(1966)

Volunteers In Service To America; Organized youth volunteers to work in

economically depressed areas.

Great Society ProgramsGreat Society Programs

• The Tax Cut — Like Kennedy, Johnson believed that a budget deficit could be used to improve the economy. A tax cut caused the deficit to shrink, since renewed prosperity generated new tax revenues.

• The War on Poverty — Johnson initiated new programs such as Head Start, a preschool program for low-income families, and Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), which sent volunteers to help people in poor communities.

• Aid to Education — The 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act, also initiated by Johnson, provided billions of dollars in aid to public and private schools.

• Medicare and Medicaid — Johnson helped Congress pass two new programs, Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare provides low-cost medical insurance to most Americans over age 65, while Medicaid provides similar services to poor Americans of any age.

• Immigration Reform — The Immigration Act of 1965 replaced immigration quotas with overall limits from various parts of the world. Immigration rose during the 1960s and 1970s.

Effects of the Great SocietyEffects of the Great Society

Effects on Poverty

• During the 1960s and early 1970s, the number of Americans living in poverty in the United States was cut in half.

• However, some Americans complained that too many of their tax dollars were being spent on poor people. Others criticized the way Great Society antipoverty programs expanded the size of the federal government.

The End of the Great Society

• Johnson received both praise and criticism for Great Society reforms.

• A conflict in Southeast Asia, later to become the Vietnam War, began to consume the resources Johnson needed for his domestic programs.

• The Great Society came to an end when Johnson failed to contain the Southeast Asia conflict.

GREAT SOCIETY

The Warren CourtThe Warren Court

• During the Kennedy-Johnson years, the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Earl Warren, handed down many controversial landmark verdicts.

• The Court ruled on social issues including obscenity, prayer in public schools, and use of birth control.

• The Warren Court was also interested in safeguarding the rights of persons accused of committing crimes. The Miranda rule, a result of the 1966 case Miranda v. Arizona, required police to inform accused persons of their rights.

• A series of Warren Court decisions changed the nature of apportionment, or the distribution of the seats in a legislature among electoral districts.

Important Warren Court casesImportant Warren Court cases

• Engel v. Vitale (1962) and Abington Township v. Schempp (1963)- School Prayer and Bible Reading

• Baker v. Carr (1962) and Reynolds v. Sims (1964)- Apportionment (“one person, one vote”)

• New York Times v. Sullivan (1964)- Libel

• Tinker v. Des Moines (1965)- Freedom of Expression

• Mapp v. Ohio (1961): protection against unreasonable search and seizure

• Gideon v. Wainright (1963): right to a lawyer

• Miranda v. Arizona (1966): protect against self- incrimination

• Griswold v. Connecticut (1965): Right to Privacy

America’s most unpopular warCost LBJ his second term to Richard Nixon

America’s longest and most expensive war

Divided America on the homefrontThe best technical war money could buyAmerica hardly ever lost a tactical battle

A war America did not winA war America did not winToday, we are living with the “ghosts of Vietnam”.

Today, we are living with the “ghosts of Vietnam”.

Background of the WarBackground of the War

• According to President Eisenhower’s domino theory, if one Southeast Asian nation fell to communism, others would soon follow.

• Ho Chi Minh, a pro-Communist leader in Vietnam, led a group called the Vietminh against French control of his nation before, during, and after World War II.

• After the Vietminh successfully defeated the French in 1954, a peace agreement called the Geneva Accords divided Vietnam into Communist North Vietnam and anti-Communist South Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh led North Vietnam, while Ngo Dinh Diem led South Vietnam.

• The United States began providing economic aid to the French in Vietnam in 1950. In 1960, President Eisenhower sent hundreds of military advisors to help South Vietnam’s struggle against the North.

Southeast Asian Southeast Asian ConflictConflict

A Chronology of EventsA Chronology of Events

Southeast Asian Southeast Asian ConflictConflict

A Chronology of EventsA Chronology of Events

The War in Southeast Asia

vn map

““Domino TheoryDomino Theory””Must “contain”“contain” communism and not

allow it to spread. If it does, it would lead to more countries falling

to the communists.

Background to the War

a Vietnamese culturea Villages and ricea Buddhist

a Historic tension with Chinese

a Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia were originally a French colony (French (French IndoChina)IndoChina) in the late19th centurya Imperialism

a Japan took control during World War II

a Opposed by guerrilla force led by Ho Chi Minh

a US backed Ho Chi Minh’s to remove Japan

Japanese Expansion•1933 1941

•Control Attacks

Japanese Expansion•1933 1941

•Control Attacks

19411941

a At end of WW II, Ho Chi Minh declared

Vietnam an independent nation

a President Truman refused to recognize

Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam.

a With U.S. aid, France attempted re-

colonize Vietnam

a Fighting between France and Vietminh began in 1946

a The French lost control to Ho Chi Minh’s Viet Minh forces at Dien Bien Phu…. …. May 7, 1954

a France requested US air support

a Nuclear if necessarya President Eisenhower

declined to intervene on behalf of France.

a French withdrew from Indochina

French defeat at Dien Bien

a International Conference at Geneva in 1954e Vietnam was divided at 17th parallel

\ Ho Chi Minh’sHo Chi Minh’s nationalist forces controlled the North

\ Ngo Dinh DiemNgo Dinh Diem, a French-educated, Roman Catholic claimed control of the South

a Elections were to be held two years later.

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

“I first met Ho on the China border between China and Indochina in the last days of April of 1945. He was an interesting individual. Very sensitive, very gentle, rather a frail type. We spoke quite at length about the general

situation, not only in Indochina, but the world at large.”– ARCHIMEDES PATTI (OSS Officer)

•Founder of the Vietnamese Communist Party

•Traveled for almost 30 years around the world. Visited France, England, Russia, China, Thailand

and the United States.

•In that time he learned to speak fluent Russian, Chinese and English.

•Patriot or Communist?

•Motivated the Vietnamese to rebel and fight against France/US for independence.

•Became Vietnam’s first president. Ho Chi Minh 1890-1969

“Light-Bringer"

•First democratically elected President of South Vietnam in

•Next 7 years, he presided over an increasingly corrupt,

nepotistic and repressive regime.

•Communist guerrillas (VC) backed by North Vietnam launched a new rebellion

•A civil disobedience led by the country's Buddhist monks contributed more directly to his downfall.

•Brutal persecution of Buddhist monks in 1963 damaged Diem’s shaky international reputation.

•With US support, Vietnamese generals overthrew and assassinated Ngo later that year.

SEATO Southeast Asia

Treaty Organization

SEATO Southeast Asia

Treaty Organization

Initiated by the US in Sept 1954 to prevent spread of communism – “Domino Theory”

Member nations were: US, Great Britain, France, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand Philippines, and Pakistan

Didn’t require participants to support each other with military force

Politically justified US actions in South Vietnam

a A date was set for democratic elections to reunify Vietnam

a Diem backed out of the elections, leading to military conflict between North and South

U.S. Military Involvement

Begins

Beginsa Repressive dictatorial rule by Diem

e Diem’s family holds all powere Wealth is hoarded by the elitee Buddhist majority persecutede Torture, lack of political freedom prevail

a The U.S. aided Diem’s governmente Ike sent financial and military aide 675 U.S. Army advisors sent by 1960.

Early Protests of Diem’s Government

Self-Emulation by a Buddhist Monk protesting against the brutality of Diem’s government

19601960

Troop Levels:

South Vietnamese

243,000

American 900

April 1955--US agrees to advise South Vietnam– Green Berets arrive Oct. 1959

to train only South Vietnam troops.

1959 -- North Vietnam increased actions to unify North and South ”insurgents””insurgents” – US increased action to prevent a North

Vietnam victory

Begins

Beginsa Kennedy elected 1960

a Increases military “advisors” to 16,000

a 1963: JFK supports a S. Vietnamese military coup d’etat – Diem and his brother are murdered (Nov. 2)

a Kennedy was assassinated just weeks later (Nov. 22)

Kennedy’s Vietnam PolicyKennedy’s Vietnam Policy

Diem’s Downfall• During the early 1960s, Ngo Dinh

Diem’s policies lost him the support of his people.

• Realizing that the struggle against communism could not be won under Diem’s rule, President Kennedy told South Vietnamese military leaders that the United States would not object to Diem’s overthrow.

• In November 1963, military leaders seized control of South Vietnam and assassinated Diem.

McNamara’s Role• Robert McNamara, President

Kennedy’s Secretary of Defense, was influential in shaping American policy toward Vietnam.

• McNamara used his strong business background to cut costs while modernizing the armed forces.

• In the coming years, McNamara would push for direct American involvement in Vietnam.

U.S. Troop Deployments in

Vietnam

U.S. Troop Deployments in

Vietnam

1961 and 19621961 and 1962

Troop Levels:

South Vietnamese

243,000

American 3,205

In order to containcontain the spread of Communism, newly elected President Kennedy agreed to further US military

assistance to South Vietnam.

19631963

Troop levels:

South Vietnamese

243,000

American 16,300

Australian 30

President Johnson and Communist AdvancesPresident Johnson and Communist Advances

• Shortly after Diem’s assassination in November 1963, President Kennedy was assassinated, and Vice President Johnson assumed the presidency.

• In South Vietnam, the military leaders who had taken over the government were unsuccessful and unpopular. As a result, Communist guerrillas in South Vietnam, known as the Viet Cong, made gains in both territory and loyalty. The Viet Cong’s political wing was known as the National Liberation Front.

vietnam collage

•Why are we in South Vietnam? We are there

because we have a promise to keep. Since 1954 every American

President has offered to support the people of

South Vietnam.

•We have helped to build and we have helped to

defend. Thus, over many years, we have made a national pledge to help

South Vietnam defend its independence.

•Why are we in South Vietnam? We are there

because we have a promise to keep. Since 1954 every American

President has offered to support the people of

South Vietnam.

•We have helped to build and we have helped to

defend. Thus, over many years, we have made a national pledge to help

South Vietnam defend its independence.

Lyndon Johnson, Speech at Johns

Hopkins University, "Why are we in South

Vietnam"

vietnam collage

•I intend to keep our promise. To dishonor that pledge, to abandon this

small and brave nation to its enemy and to the

terror that must follow would be an unforgivable

wrong.

•We are there to strengthen world order.

•I intend to keep our promise. To dishonor that pledge, to abandon this

small and brave nation to its enemy and to the

terror that must follow would be an unforgivable

wrong.

•We are there to strengthen world order.

Vietnam"

vietnam collage

•Around the globe from Berlin to Thailand are

people whose well-being rests, in part, on the

belief they can count on us if they are attacked.

•To leave Vietnam to its fate would shake the

confidence of all these people in the value of

American commitment. The result would be

increased unrest and instability, or even war.

•Around the globe from Berlin to Thailand are

people whose well-being rests, in part, on the

belief they can count on us if they are attacked.

•To leave Vietnam to its fate would shake the

confidence of all these people in the value of

American commitment. The result would be

increased unrest and instability, or even war.

Vietnam"

Johnson Sends Ground ForcesJohnson Sends Ground Forces

a Remembers Truman’s “loss” of China --> Domino TheoryDomino Theory revived

I’m not going to be the president who saw Southeast Asia go the way China went.

Johnson Sends Ground ForcesJohnson Sends Ground Forces

a Advised to rout the communists by Secretary of State, Robert S. Robert S. McNamaraMcNamara

a Tonkin Gulf Incident --> 1964(acc. to Johnson – attacks were unprovoked)

a Tonkin Gulf ResolutionTonkin Gulf Resolutione “The Blank Check”

Aug ‘64 -- N Vietnamese gunboats attack 2 US destroyers in Gulf of

Tonkin…maybemaybe

Troop levels:

South Vietnamese 514,000

American 23,300

Australian 80

Philippines 20

South Korea 200

New Zealand 30

19641964

19641964Gulf of Tonkin ResolutionGulf of Tonkin ResolutionPassed by Congress 5 Aug 1964Passed by Congress 5 Aug 1964

– Radically altered the War in Southeast AsiaRadically altered the War in Southeast Asia– Gave President Johnson a Gave President Johnson a “blank check”:“blank check”:

““To take all necessary steps to repel armed To take all necessary steps to repel armed attack against US forces”, including force, to attack against US forces”, including force, to assist South Vietnam and any member of assist South Vietnam and any member of SEATO”SEATO”

Committed US to fight for S VietnamCommitted US to fight for S Vietnam

Expanding Presidential PowerExpanding Presidential Power

The Gulf of Tonkin ResolutionThe Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

In August 1964, Johnson announced that North Vietnamese torpedo boats had attacked American destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin. However, some people doubted that this incident had happened and believed it was only an excuse for further U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

What Inspired the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution?

The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, passed by Congress in 1964, regarded peace and security in Southeast Asia as vital to American national interest, and it gave the President additional powers to assist any Southeast Asian country “requesting assistance in defense of its freedoms.”

What Was the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution?

Under the resolution, the President had authority to “take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.” The resolution, therefore, changed the balance of power between Congress and the President.

What Additional Powers Did It Give the President?

1964Gulf of Tonkin Incident

The Vietnam War, The Vietnam War, 1964 to 19751964 to 1975

The Ho Chi Minh TrailThe Ho Chi Minh Trail

• North Vietnamese troops and supplies entered South Vietnam via the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a route that passed through Laos and Cambodia.

Intensifying the WarIntensifying the War

• After the election of 1964, President Johnson began a gradual escalation, or expansion of the war. The number of American soldiers stationed in Vietnam rose from about 25,000 at the beginning of 1965 to nearly 536,000 by the end of 1968.

• Originally, American soldiers had been sent to advise the South Vietnamese; now their task was to prop up a failing South Vietnamese government led by Nguyen Cao Ky.

• Despite the large buildup of American troops, between 1965 and 1967 the war was at a stalemate.

• Within the United States, debate raged between hawks, those who supported the war, and doves, those who did not.

19651965In February the US commences bombardment of North

Vietnam and begins to send combat troops to Vietnam.

In February the US commences bombardment of North

Vietnam and begins to send combat troops to Vietnam.

Troop Levels:

South Vietnamese

642,500

American 184,300

Australian 1,560

New Zealand 120

South Korea 20,620

Philippines 70

Thailand 20

First U.S. combat troops land in Da

Nang, South Vietnam.

First U.S. combat troops land in Da

Nang, South Vietnam.

The Air and Ground WarsThe Air and Ground Wars

Some Weapons Used in the Vietnam War• Land Mines — Land mines,which can be set off by the pressure of

a footstep, are explosive devices planted in the ground. Viet Cong landmines killed and wounded both American GIs and Vietnamese civilians.

• Saturation Bombing — American B-52 bomber planes dropped thousands of tons of explosives, resulting in saturation bombing of North Vietnam.

• Fragmentation Bombs — Fragmentation bombs, dropped by Americans over both North and South Vietnam, threw pieces of their thick metal casings in all directions when they exploded. In South Vietnam, fragmentation bombs killed and maimed countless civilians.

The Air and Ground WarsThe Air and Ground Wars

Some Weapons Used in the Vietnam War• Agent Orange — American pilots dropped an

herbicide called Agent Orange over Vietnamese jungles, killing vegetation and exposing Viet Cong hiding places. Agent Orange was later discovered to cause health problems in livestock and humans.

• Napalm — Another chemical weapon used in Vietnam, napalm,was a jellylike substance which, when dropped from planes splattered, and burned uncontrollably.

The Air War1965-1968The Air War1965-1968

a 1965: Sustained bombing of North Vietnam beginsa Operation Rolling ThunderOperation Rolling Thunder (March 2, 1965)

a 1966-68: Ongoing bombing of Hanoi nonstop for 3 years! Esp. targets the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

a Downed Pilots: P.O.W.sa Carpet Bombing – napalmnapalm

1965First sustained bombing of North Vietnam

1966U.S. air raids over Hanoi, 1966 to 1968

Americans flew from bases in Thailand, Laos, Guam and South Vietnam

Troops from Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Philippines fought with the US and South Vietnam

China and the Soviet Union – heavily supported North Vietnam

The War in Southeast

Asia Background

The War in Southeast

Asia Background

Battlefield ConditionsBattlefield Conditions

American Troops• Had superior weapons• Were unprepared for heat,

terrain, or guerrilla tactics• Lacked support of most

South Vietnamese• Most never saw the enemy

but constantly faced the possibility of sudden danger.

Viet Cong Troops• Fought as guerrillas;

avoided head-on clashes• Were familiar with terrain;

had support of many South Vietnamese

• Built and hid in elaborate underground tunnels

Who Is the Enemy?

a VietcongVietcong: founded in South Vietnam who were communists—supported by N. Vietnam.e Farmers by day; guerillas at night.e Very patient people willing to accept many

casualties.e The US grossly underestimated their resolve

and their resourcefulness.e ““Charlies”Charlies” to American Troops that will later

fight them.

The guerilla wins if he does not lose, the conventional army loses if it does not win. -- Mao ZedongMao Zedong

Who Is the Enemy?

The Vietcong consisted of a well organized guerilla fighting force in

South Vietnam.

Their guerilla and jungle hit and run tactics made them a menace for

American, South Vietnamese, and other allied forces.

The Vietcong consisted of a well organized guerilla fighting force in

South Vietnam.

Their guerilla and jungle hit and run tactics made them a menace for

American, South Vietnamese, and other allied forces.

Who Is the Enemy?

The Vietcong possessed underground networks of tunnels

Passageways that contained hidden caches weapons and

supplies that were difficult to locate and destroy.

The Vietcong possessed underground networks of tunnels

Passageways that contained hidden caches weapons and

supplies that were difficult to locate and destroy.

Who Is the Enemy?

Who’s your enemy?U.S. and South Vietnamese forces found it extremely difficult to fight

the Vietcong’s hit and run tactics.

Vietcong could easily blend into a village where they could move about freely since they did not belong to a “standard” army.

Who’s your enemy?U.S. and South Vietnamese forces found it extremely difficult to fight

the Vietcong’s hit and run tactics.

Vietcong could easily blend into a village where they could move about freely since they did not belong to a “standard” army.

Who Is the Enemy?

The Ground War 1965-1968

a No territorial goalsa Body counts on TV every night

(first “living room” war“living room” war)

a Viet Cong supplies over the Ho Chi Minh TrailHo Chi Minh Trail

The Tet Offensive, January 1968

a N. Vietnamese Army + Viet Cong attack South simultaneously

a 80,000 attack 100 cities, bases and the US embassy in Saigon

a Take every major southern citya U.S. + ARVN beat back the

offensivea Viet Cong destroyed

a N. Vietnamese army debilitated

1968Tet Offensive, Jan. 30 to Feb. 24

The Tet OffensiveThe Tet Offensive

US troops defending the American Embassy in Saigon

The Tet Offensive: A Turning PointThe Tet Offensive: A Turning Point

• On January 30, 1968, the Viet Cong and North Vietnam launched a major offensive. This series of attacks was called the Tet Offensive since it occurred during Tet, the Vietnamese New Year.

• During and after the Tet Offensive, both sides were guilty of brutal atrocities. Communists slaughtered anyone they labeled an enemy; Americans massacred hundreds of civilians at My Lai, a small village in South Vietnam. A helicopter crew that stopped the massacre was later rewarded, and the officer who had ordered it was imprisoned.

• Because Americans now knew that the Viet Cong could launch massive attacks, and because no end to the war was in sight, the Tet Offensive proved to be a major psychological victory for the Viet Cong and a turning point in the war.

The Tet Offensive, January 1968

Because of the Tet Offensive, the US media announced the US was

loosing the war.

Walter Cronkite, part of CBS news who opposed

the war after Tet.

Impact of the Tet OffensiveImpact of the Tet Offensive

a Domestic U.S. Reaction: Disbelief, Anger, Distrust

of Johnson Administration

a Hey, Hey LBJ! How Hey, Hey LBJ! How

many kids did you many kids did you kill today?kill today?

T a lks m a ke no progress

Pea ce ta lks begina fter T et to

ha lt the bom bing ofN orth V ietna m

PAR IS

G enera l W estm orela nda sks for m ore troops

Increa sed bom bing inSouth V ietna m

C ity of H ue' destroyedSVN reta kes cities a ndtow ns, but governm ent

loses support

SO U T HVIET N AM

N ixon w ins 1968Presidentia l E lection

R iots in C hica go duringD em ocra tic Pa rty

C onvention

D em ocra tic Pa rty sp lintersR obert K ennedy a ssa ssina ted

Johnson critic ized byH a w ks a nd D oves

Johnson steps dow nAm ericans want out of V ietnam

T E T OF F E N S IV ENVA Invades South V ietnam

J anuary 1968

Impact of the Tet OffensiveImpact of the Tet Offensive

19681968Troop Levels:

South Vietnamese

820,000

American 536,100

Australian 7,660

New Zealand 520

South Korea 50,000

Philippines 1,580

Thailand 6,000

Are We Becoming the Enemy?

a Lt. William Calley, Platoon Leader

a My lai Massacre, 1968a 200-500 unarmed villagers

Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry

1968Tet Offensive, Jan. 30 to Feb. 24

My Lai Massacre, March 16

LBJ disgracedLBJ disgracedTet offensiveRefuses to run for Presidency in 1968

Democratic Party collapsesDemocratic Party collapsesEugene McCarthy vs. Robert Kennedy for

control of partyBoth gain anti-war supportKennedy assassinated----Sirhan, Sirhan

Democratic National Convention in Chicagomass protests against warAmericans witness the radical “anti-war and

counter culture” on TVVP Hubert Humphrey wins Democratic

nomination

Civil RightsCivil RightsBlack Panther Party opposes MLKCities burn with Black riots MLK assassinated Robert Kennedy assassinatedGeorge Wallace: Third Party appeal = White Back Lash

Republican Richard Nixon is electedMy Lai Massacre in Vietnam Cold War

Soviet invasion of CzechoslovakiaUSS PUEBLO attacked by North Korean

Organizations form to end the war.National Mobilization Committee Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). Youth International Party (YIPPIES). Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin

•National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam.

•Students for a Democratic Society (SDS).

•Youth International Party (YIPPIES). Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin

•Bobby Seale was a founder of the Black Panthers.

•charged under provisions of the 1968 Civil Rights Act, which made it a federal crime to cross state lines to incite a riot.

Impact of the Vietnam WarImpact of the Vietnam War

a I do not believe that I should devote an hour or a day of my time to any personal partisan causes, or to any duties other than the awesome duties of this office, the Presidency of your country.

Johnson announces (March, 1968):

a Accordingly, I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President.

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