Background to the War

Background to the War

z France controlled “Indochina” France controlled “Indochina” since the late 19since the late 19thth century century

z Japan took control during World Japan took control during World War IIWar II

z With U.S. aid, France attempted With U.S. aid, France attempted re-colonization in the postwar re-colonization in the postwar periodperiod

Background to the War

Background to the War

z Ho Chi Minh - Ho Chi Minh - One of the leaders of the nationalist movement in Vietnam for almost 30 years. He helped found the Indochinese Communist Party, and worked to overthrow French rule.

z The French lost control to The French lost control to Ho Chi Minh’s Ho Chi Minh’s Viet MinhViet Minh forces in 1954forces in 1954

Background to the War

Background to the War

z International Conference at International Conference at GenevaGenevaz The Geneva Accords divided Vietnam

along the 17th parallel, with Ho Chi Minh and the Vietminh in control of North Vietnam and a pro-Western regime in control of the South.

Background to the War

Background to the War

z A date was set for democratic A date was set for democratic elections to reunify Vietnamelections to reunify Vietnam**Ngo Dinh Diem (South Vietnam) Ngo Dinh Diem (South Vietnam) vs. Ho Chi Minh (North Vietnam)vs. Ho Chi Minh (North Vietnam)

z Ngo Dinh Diem backed out of Ngo Dinh Diem backed out of the elections, leading to the elections, leading to military conflict between military conflict between North and South.North and South.

U.S. Military Involvement Begins

U.S. Military Involvement Begins

z The U.S. aided Diem’s governmentThe U.S. aided Diem’s government Ike sent financial and military aidIke sent financial and military aid 675 U.S. Army advisors sent by 675 U.S. Army advisors sent by

1960.1960.z Repressive dictatorial rule by DiemRepressive dictatorial rule by Diem

Diem’s family holds all powerDiem’s family holds all power Wealth is hoarded by the eliteWealth is hoarded by the elite Buddhist majority persecutedBuddhist majority persecuted Torture, lack of political freedom Torture, lack of political freedom

prevailprevail

U.S. Military Involvement Begins

U.S. Military Involvement Begins

z Kennedy elected 1960Kennedy elected 1960z Increases military “advisors” Increases military “advisors”

to 16,000to 16,000z 1963: JFK supports a 1963: JFK supports a

Vietnamese military Vietnamese military coup coup d’etat d’etat – Diem and his brother – Diem and his brother are murdered are murdered (Nov. 2)(Nov. 2)

z Kennedy was assassinated Kennedy was assassinated just weeks later just weeks later (Nov. 23)(Nov. 23)

Johnson Sends Ground ForcesJohnson Sends Ground Forces

z Johnson and the Johnson and the Domino Domino Theory Theory ((if Vietnam fell to communism, the rest of Southeast Asia would follow)

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

Johnson Sends Ground ForcesJohnson Sends Ground Forces

• On August 2, 1964, President Johnson announced that North Vietnamese torpedo boats had fired on two American destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin.

• On August 7, 1964, the Senate and House passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, authorizing the president to “take all necessary measures … to prevent further aggression.”

• Tonkin Gulf ResolutionTonkin Gulf Resolution

““The Blank Check” The Blank Check” **

Big Question

Was the U.S. planning to go to war in Vietnam before August 1964?

Partner UP Read the four documents Make a decision

U.S. Troop Deployments

in Vietnam

U.S. Troop Deployments

in Vietnam

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

1961 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968

U.S. Troops

Dear America,– Letters Home from Vietnam – Part I

The Ground War 1965-1968

The Ground War 1965-1968

z ISSUES:ISSUES:z No territorial goalsNo territorial goalsz Body counts on TV every night Body counts on TV every night

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

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

The Air War1965-1968

The Air War1965-1968

z 1965: Sustained bombing of North 1965: Sustained bombing of North VietnamVietnam

z Operation Rolling Thunder Operation Rolling Thunder (March 2, (March 2, 1965)1965)

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

z Downed Pilots: P.O.W.sDowned Pilots: P.O.W.sz Carpet Bombing – Carpet Bombing – napalmnapalm

The Ground War1965-1968

The Ground War1965-1968

z General WestmorelandGeneral Westmoreland, late 1967:

We can see theWe can see the“light at the end of the tunnel.”“light at the end of the tunnel.”

The Tet Offensive, January 1968

The Tet Offensive, January 1968

z During a holiday period the North During a holiday period the North Vietnamese Army + Viet Cong Vietnamese Army + Viet Cong attack South simultaneously attack South simultaneously (67,000 attack 100 cities, bases, (67,000 attack 100 cities, bases, and the US embassy in Saigon)and the US embassy in Saigon)z Take every major southern cityTake every major southern city

z U.S. + ARVN beat back the U.S. + ARVN beat back the offensiveoffensivez Viet Cong destroyedViet Cong destroyedz N. Vietnamese army out of actionN. Vietnamese army out of action

z BUT…it’s seen as an American BUT…it’s seen as an American defeat by the media – why?defeat by the media – why?

Impact of the Tet OffensiveImpact of the Tet Offensive

z Domestic U.S. Reaction: Domestic U.S. Reaction: Disbelief, Anger, Distrust Disbelief, Anger, Distrust of Johnson Administrationof Johnson Administration

z Hey, Hey LBJ! How Hey, Hey LBJ! How

many kids did many kids did youyou kill today? kill today?

Impact of the Vietnam WarImpact of the Vietnam War

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

Johnson announces (March, Johnson announces (March, 1968):1968):

Who Is the Enemy?

Who Is the Enemy?

z VietcongVietcong: A member of the communist guerrilla movement in Vietnam that fought the South Vietnamese government forces 1954–75 with the support of the North Vietnamese army

Difficult to defeat because:Difficult to defeat because: Farmers by day; guerillas at night.Farmers by day; guerillas at night. Very patient people willing to accept Very patient people willing to accept

many casualties.many casualties. The US grossly underestimated their The US grossly underestimated their

resolve and their resourcefulness.resolve and their resourcefulness.

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

American Morale Begins

to Dip

American Morale Begins

to Dipz Disproportionate Disproportionate representation of poor people representation of poor people and minorities.and minorities.

z Severe racial problems.Severe racial problems.z Major drugMajor drug

problems.problems.z Officers in combatOfficers in combat

6 mo.; in rear 6 mo.; in rear 6 mo. Enlisted 6 mo. Enlisted men in combat for 12 mo.men in combat for 12 mo.

Are We Becoming the Enemy?

Are We Becoming the Enemy?

z Lt. William Lt. William CalleyCalley,,Platoon LeaderPlatoon Leader

z My Lai MassacreMy Lai Massacre, 1968, 1968z 200-500 unarmed 200-500 unarmed

villagersvillagers

Charlie Company, 1Charlie Company, 1stst Battalion, 20 Battalion, 20thth InfantryInfantry

Nixon on VietnamNixon on Vietnam

z Nixon’s 1968 Campaign promised an Nixon’s 1968 Campaign promised an end to the war: end to the war: Peace with HonorPeace with Honor Appealed to the Appealed to the

“Silent Majority”“Silent Majority”z Vietnamization –Vietnamization –

z Turn the war over to the VietnameseTurn the war over to the Vietnamesez Win their hearts and minds!Win their hearts and minds!

z Expansion of the Expansion of the conflict conflict The “Secret War” The “Secret War” CambodiaCambodia LaosLaos

z Agent OrangeAgent Orange(chemical defoliant)(chemical defoliant)

“Pentagon Papers,” 1971

“Pentagon Papers,” 1971

z Former defense analyst Former defense analyst Daniel EllsbergDaniel Ellsbergleaked govt. docs. regarding war efforts leaked govt. docs. regarding war efforts during Johnson’s administration to the during Johnson’s administration to the New York TimesNew York Times..

z Pentagon Papers revealed that the Pentagon Papers revealed that the Govt. misled Congress & Amer. People Govt. misled Congress & Amer. People regarding its intentions in Vietnam regarding its intentions in Vietnam during mid-1960s.during mid-1960s. Primary reason for fighting not to Primary reason for fighting not to

eliminate communism, but eliminate communism, but to avoid to avoid humiliating defeathumiliating defeat. .

The Ceasefire, 1973

The Ceasefire, 1973

z Peace is at handPeace is at hand Kissinger, 1972 Kissinger, 1972 North Vietnam attacks SouthNorth Vietnam attacks South Massive U.S. bombing campaign Massive U.S. bombing campaign

commencescommences

z 1973: Ceasefire signed between1973: Ceasefire signed between U.S., South Vietnam, & North VietnamU.S., South Vietnam, & North Vietnam

z Peace with honorPeace with honor (President Nixon) (President Nixon)

The Ceasefire 1973

The Ceasefire 1973

z Conditions:Conditions:1.1.U.S. to remove all troopsU.S. to remove all troops2.2.North Vietnam could leave North Vietnam could leave

troops already in S.V.troops already in S.V.3.3.North Vietnam would resume North Vietnam would resume

warwar4.4.No provision for POWs or MIAsNo provision for POWs or MIAs

z Last American troops left South Last American troops left South Vietnam on March 29, 1973Vietnam on March 29, 1973

z 1975: North Vietnam defeats South 1975: North Vietnam defeats South VietnamVietnam

z Saigon renamed Saigon renamed Ho Chi Minh CityHo Chi Minh City

Formerly Formerly SaigonSaigon

A United VietnamA United Vietnam

The CostsThe Costs

1.1. 3,000,000 Vietnamese killed3,000,000 Vietnamese killed2.2. 58,000 Americans killed; 58,000 Americans killed;

300,000 wounded300,000 wounded3.3. Under-funding of Great Under-funding of Great

Society programsSociety programs4.4. $150,000,000,000 in U.S. $150,000,000,000 in U.S.

spendingspending5.5. U.S. morale, self-confidence, U.S. morale, self-confidence,

trust of government, trust of government, decimateddecimated

The ImpactThe Impact

z 2626thth Amendment Amendment: 18-year-olds : 18-year-olds votevote

z Nixon abolished the draftNixon abolished the draft all-volunteer armyall-volunteer army

z War Powers Act, War Powers Act, 19731973 ٭٭ President must notify Congress within President must notify Congress within

48 hours of deploying military force48 hours of deploying military force President must withdraw forces unless President must withdraw forces unless

he gains Congressional approval within he gains Congressional approval within 90 days90 days

z Disregard for Veterans Disregard for Veterans seen as seen as “baby killers”“baby killers”

z POW/MIA issue lingeredPOW/MIA issue lingered

2,583 American 2,583 American POWs / MIAsPOWs / MIAs

still unaccounted for still unaccounted for today.today.

If we have to fight, weIf we have to fight, we will fight. You will kill will fight. You will kill ten of our men and we ten of our men and we will kill one of yours, and in the will kill one of yours, and in the end it will be end it will be youyou who tires of who tires of it. it.

AndAndin the End….in the End….

AndAndin the End….in the End….

Ho Chi Ho Chi Minh:Minh:

Lessons for Future

American Presidents

Lessons for Future

American Presidents1.1. Wars must be of short duration.Wars must be of short duration.2.2. Wars must yield few American Wars must yield few American

casualties.casualties.3.3. Restrict media access to Restrict media access to

battlefields.battlefields.4.4. Develop and maintain Develop and maintain

Congressional and public support.Congressional and public support.5.5. Set clear, winnable goals.Set clear, winnable goals.6.6. Set deadline for troop Set deadline for troop

withdrawals.withdrawals.

President Clinton formally

recognized Vietnam on July 11, 1995

President Clinton formally

recognized Vietnam on July 11, 1995

Another Vietnam?Another Vietnam?

OROR

A transformation of the Middle East?

A transformation of the Middle East?

Only time & history can tell!

Only time & history can tell!

Anti-War Demonstrations

Anti-War Demonstrations

z May 4, May 4, 19701970

z 4 students 4 students shot dead.shot dead.

z 11 11 students students woundedwounded

Kent State UniversityKent State University

z Jackson StateJackson StateUniversityUniversity

z May 10, 1970May 10, 1970

z 2 dead; 12 2 dead; 12 woundedwounded

March on the Pentagon

October 21, 1967– Last of 5 days of protests organized by the National

Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam – Famous speakers came to address the crowd (Robert

Lowell, Benjamin Spock)– The protest escalated when the leaders of the Youth

International Party announced they were going to “exorcise” the Pentagon People surrounded the building and chanted spells to

try and drive out the “evil war spirits” Tear gas was released into the crowd 2,500 troops guarded the Pentagon 681 arrested

The Moratorium Rally (D.C.)

November 15, 1969– America’s biggest anti- war demonstration ever

250,000- 500,000 protestors present– A little less wild

LBJ was out of office and Nixon had initiated his “Vietnamization” plan

Police had learned how to handle protests– 3,000 Police– 9,000 Army troops– 200 Lawyers– 75 Clergymen

– Protest was peaceful for the most part 135 arrests made

Kent StateIn response to Nixon’s invasion of Cambodia

– Didn’t want to be drafted

May 1, 1970- Day One– Huge demonstration on the College’s commons– Around midnight rowdy bikers began throwing

bottles and vandalizing cars in the street– Approximately 100 students joined in – Police eventually got the situation under control

Kent State (cont.)

May 2, 1970- Day Two– State of Emergency declared in Kent

Ohio Governor, James A. Rhodes, called in the National Guard

– Demonstrations continued on campus Reserve Officer Training Corps building was set on fire

– Firemen and police were pelted with rocks by the surrounding crowd

– 10:00 p.m.- National Guard set up camp on Kent State’s campus

Used tear gas and arrested the protestors At least one person was bayoneted

May 3, 1970- Day Three– More protests– Curfew imposed on students

Kent State (cont.)

The National Guard was sent in to maintain The National Guard was sent in to maintain order on Kent State’s campusorder on Kent State’s campus

Kent State (cont.)May 4, 1970- Day Four

– Pre-planned rally commenced Approx. 2,000 people present

– National Guard told them to disperse People refused Troops sprayed the crowd with tear gas

– Crowd began throwing rocks and chased the National Guard off campus

“Pigs off Campus!”– After being chased up a hill by the angry protestors,

the National Guard opened fire on the crowd Firing lasted 13 seconds 4 dead 9 wounded

Kent State (cont.)

The National Guard was The National Guard was chased up a hill by angry chased up a hill by angry

studentsstudentsA shocked student grieves over A shocked student grieves over a dead body, shot down by the a dead body, shot down by the

National GuardNational Guard