The Vietnam WarThe Vietnam War

(1954 – 1975)(1954 – 1975)

VietnamVietnam

A mountainous, jungle-covered nation that A mountainous, jungle-covered nation that is about 20% is about 20% smallersmaller than the state of than the state of California.California.

It is located in SE Asia (facing the South It is located in SE Asia (facing the South China Sea)China Sea)

Prior to 1954, Vietnam was a colonial Prior to 1954, Vietnam was a colonial possession of France. It was called possession of France. It was called “French Indochina”“French Indochina”

1954 Geneva Agreement1954 Geneva Agreement

TemporarilyTemporarily divided Vietnam into divided Vietnam into twotwo parts parts (N & S).(N & S).

Stated that a Stated that a unifyingunifying election was to be election was to be held in 1956. (The Vietnamese people held in 1956. (The Vietnamese people would be given the opportunity to pick their would be given the opportunity to pick their own government.)own government.)

North VietnamNorth Vietnam

CommunistCommunist

Leader was Ho Chi Leader was Ho Chi MinhMinh

Capital was HanoiCapital was Hanoi

South VietnamSouth Vietnam

Non-communistNon-communist

Leader was Ngo Dinh Leader was Ngo Dinh Diem (No-Din-Z-em)Diem (No-Din-Z-em)

Capital was SaigonCapital was Saigon

DMZ

Vietnam TimelineVietnam Timeline

1954 – Geneva Agreement(creates N & S)1954 – Geneva Agreement(creates N & S)

1956 – Diem refuses to hold the unifying 1956 – Diem refuses to hold the unifying election in the South. (This triggers a civil election in the South. (This triggers a civil war between the supporters of Ho & the war between the supporters of Ho & the supporters of Ngo.)supporters of Ngo.)

1956 – Diem’s opponents form the 1956 – Diem’s opponents form the National Liberation FrontNational Liberation Front (more commonly (more commonly known as the known as the Viet CongViet Cong))

The Viet CongThe Viet Cong

Supporters of Ho Chi MinhSupporters of Ho Chi Minh

Live in South VietnamLive in South Vietnam

A.K.A. “Charlie”, “Chuck”, “Gooks”, “Cong”A.K.A. “Charlie”, “Chuck”, “Gooks”, “Cong”

Known for their guerrilla fighting tactics.Known for their guerrilla fighting tactics.

Our #1 Enemy in VietnamOur #1 Enemy in Vietnam

““We own the day, Charlie owns the night.”We own the day, Charlie owns the night.”– a common G.I. sayinga common G.I. saying

Timeline: cont.Timeline: cont.

1962 – President Kennedy sends the first 1962 – President Kennedy sends the first U.S. ground troops to Vietnam. (They U.S. ground troops to Vietnam. (They were sent for were sent for trainingtraining purposes only.) purposes only.)

1964 – The Gulf of Tonkin Incident1964 – The Gulf of Tonkin Incident

On August 2On August 2ndnd, two NV torpedo boats fired upon , two NV torpedo boats fired upon the U.S.S. Maddox as it patrolled the G of T off the U.S.S. Maddox as it patrolled the G of T off the coast of North Vietnam.the coast of North Vietnam.

This leads to Congress passing the This leads to Congress passing the Gulf of Gulf of Tonkin ResolutionTonkin Resolution which gave President which gave President Johnson the power to take “all necessary Johnson the power to take “all necessary measures” to prevent further NV aggression.measures” to prevent further NV aggression.

This is basically even stronger than a declaration This is basically even stronger than a declaration of war.of war.

Feb. 1965 – VC Attack Pleiku AirbaseFeb. 1965 – VC Attack Pleiku Airbase

Largest U.S. airbase in SVLargest U.S. airbase in SV

1965 – Operation Rolling Thunder1965 – Operation Rolling Thunder

Beginning of the “escalation” of U.S. Beginning of the “escalation” of U.S. involvement.involvement.

A continuous bombing campaign of NV & A continuous bombing campaign of NV & the Ho Chi Minh Trailthe Ho Chi Minh Trail

1968 – The Tet Offensive1968 – The Tet Offensive

During his Jan. 1968 State of the Union Address, Pres. During his Jan. 1968 State of the Union Address, Pres. Johnson tells America that the end of the war is very Johnson tells America that the end of the war is very near.near.On Jan. 30, NV and the VC launch the massive On Jan. 30, NV and the VC launch the massive Tet Tet OffensiveOffensive attacking many major SV cities attacking many major SV cities simultaneously. The VC even seized control of the U.S. simultaneously. The VC even seized control of the U.S. Embassy in Saigon for a brief period of time.Embassy in Saigon for a brief period of time.This offensive was “crushed” by the U.S. forces, This offensive was “crushed” by the U.S. forces, however, it actually proved to be a huge psychological however, it actually proved to be a huge psychological victory for the communists.victory for the communists.Marked the Marked the “turning point”“turning point” in American public opinion in American public opinion

1969 – President Nixon Takes Office1969 – President Nixon Takes Office

Nixon begins his policy of Nixon begins his policy of vietnamizationvietnamization. . (The gradual pullout of U.S. troops and (The gradual pullout of U.S. troops and turning over of the war to SV.)turning over of the war to SV.)

In 1972, vietnamization is complete and In 1972, vietnamization is complete and the last U.S. combat troops leave Vietnam.the last U.S. combat troops leave Vietnam.

1973 – Paris Peace Agreement1973 – Paris Peace Agreement

The U.S. & NV sign a peace agreement in The U.S. & NV sign a peace agreement in Paris officially ending U.S. involvement.Paris officially ending U.S. involvement.

American POW’s begin coming home!American POW’s begin coming home!

1975 – Fall of Saigon1975 – Fall of Saigon

Saigon surrenders to the NVA and the war Saigon surrenders to the NVA and the war ends.ends.

There is now There is now oneone Vietnam and it is Vietnam and it is communist. It is still that way today!!!communist. It is still that way today!!!

Significance & Legacy Of VietnamSignificance & Legacy Of Vietnam

War Powers Act of 1973War Powers Act of 1973

57,000 Americans killed57,000 Americans killed

Only war in which we failed to meet our Only war in which we failed to meet our objective.objective.– Why???Why???