The Vietnam The Vietnam War War

1954 - 19751954 - 1975

The Vietnam The Vietnam War War

1954 - 19751954 - 1975

Background to the War

Background to the War

z FranceFrance controlled “Indochina” controlled “Indochina” since the late since the late 1919thth centurycentury

z 1954 – France is defeated by Viet Minh army. Ho Chi Minh sets up a Communist gov’t in North Vietnam.

z International Conference at International Conference at GenevaGeneva Vietnam was divided at 17Vietnam was divided at 17thth

parallelparallelO Ho Chi Minh’sHo Chi Minh’s nationalist nationalist

forces controlled the forces controlled the NorthNorthO Pro-Western state (democracy) Pro-Western state (democracy)

controlled thecontrolled the SouthSouth

Background to the War

Background to the War

z 1956 elections would reunited Vietnamz United States was official supporter of

South Vietnamz Ho Chi Minh introduced communist

reform in the Northz South Vietnam refused to hold

elections for re-unificationz Fearful of elections in the North that would not be

free

z Vietcong – South Vietnam Communists – began guerrilla warfare against the South Vietnam Government

z VC (Vietcong) were support by the North Vietnamese Army (NVA)

Background to the War

Background to the War

z South Vietnam was far from a South Vietnam was far from a DemocracyDemocracy

z President was a dictatorPresident was a dictatorz Vietnam’s Buddhists opposed himz They were treated with great discrimination

z 1963 the President was 1963 the President was overthrown and murdered in a overthrown and murdered in a coup d’etatcoup d’etatz Supported by United States

Early Protests of South dictator

Early Protests of South dictator

Self-Emolation by a Buddhist MonkSelf-Emolation by a Buddhist Monk

U.S. begins involvement

Domino Theory – if South Vietnam fell to communism, neighboring countries would also fall to communism like a row of dominos

Resisting communism in South Vietnam might prevent this collapse

President Kennedy1960-1963

President Kennedy1960-1963

z President Kennedy was greatly President Kennedy was greatly affected by the Domino Theoryaffected by the Domino Theory

z Kennedy sent aid and Military Kennedy sent aid and Military Advisors to assist South VietnamAdvisors to assist South Vietnam

z Requested by South Viet. Govt.Requested by South Viet. Govt.

z JFK also felt that a successful JFK also felt that a successful democracy in South Vietnam democracy in South Vietnam would serve as a model to other would serve as a model to other developing Asian, African, and developing Asian, African, and Latin American countriesLatin American countries

President Johnson1963-1968

President Johnson1963-1968

z JFK assassinated in 1963JFK assassinated in 1963z Under President Johnson, the Under President Johnson, the

U.S. would become deeply U.S. would become deeply involved in Vietnaminvolved in Vietnam

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.

President Johnson 1963-1968

President Johnson 1963-1968

z Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Gulf of Tonkin Resolution 19641964

z Johnson announced that U.S. ships were attacked by the North Vietnamese in international waters

z Congress voted to give Johnson full military powers to stop North Vietnam aggression

z Years later, it was revealed that the U.S. ships attacked were in North Vietnam waters supporting South Vietnam ships that were bombing North Vietnam

Johnson escalates the War

Johnson escalates the War

• Congress never officially declared war

• Johnson used the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution to escalate (increase) the war

• LBJ ordered massive bombings raids over North Vietnam

• Sent more combat troops• By 1968 - 500,000 U.S. soldiers in

Vietnam• New Weapons

• Napalm – sticky gasoline-based jelly that burns; great damage

• Agent Orange – herbicide killed jungle cover used by VC

A Napalm AttackA Napalm Attack

1968 - The Tet Offensive1968 - The

Tet Offensivez Vietcong (VC) launched massive Vietcong (VC) launched massive

simultaneous offensive throughout South simultaneous offensive throughout South z Seizing many major cities, including the capital city of Seizing many major cities, including the capital city of

SaigonSaigonz Once in control, the VC committed brutal Once in control, the VC committed brutal

acts of terror against South Vietnam acts of terror against South Vietnam officialsofficials

z American forces finally beat back the American forces finally beat back the offensiveoffensive

z Turning point in the warTurning point in the warz Demonstrated to American public that Demonstrated to American public that

victory was on the wayvictory was on the wayz Disproved the rhetoric of the US govt that Disproved the rhetoric of the US govt that

the Vietcong were weak, under supplied, the Vietcong were weak, under supplied, disorganized and low in moraledisorganized and low in morale

The Tet Offensive The Tet

Offensive

1968 - The Tet Offensive

1968 - The Tet Offensive1968 - The Tet Offensive

z Roy Benavidez 1935-1998 stop at 3:59stop at 3:59

z Born in Cuero, TXBorn in Cuero, TXz Master Sergeant in the Army Special Master Sergeant in the Army Special

ForcesForcesz Facing constant fire, carried wounded Facing constant fire, carried wounded

members of his platoon to rescue-members of his platoon to rescue-helicoptershelicopters

z Critically wounded, Benavidez refused Critically wounded, Benavidez refused to stop gathering survivorsto stop gathering survivors

z Benavidez saved the lives of 8 menBenavidez saved the lives of 8 menz AwardsAwards

z Distinguished Service Cross for heroismDistinguished Service Cross for heroismz Congressional Medal of Honor by President Congressional Medal of Honor by President

Ronal Reagan in 1981Ronal Reagan in 1981z Benavidez dies in San Antonio in 1998Benavidez dies in San Antonio in 1998

Difficulties in VietnamDifficulties in Vietnam

z 1968 – U.S. dropped 1968 – U.S. dropped more bombs on Vietnam more bombs on Vietnam than in all of WWIIthan in all of WWII

z $25 Billion dollars spent $25 Billion dollars spent a year on Vietnam Wara year on Vietnam War

z Despite these efforts, Despite these efforts, the U.S. was unable to the U.S. was unable to win the war for a number win the war for a number of reasonsof reasons

3 Reasons unable to win the WAR!!!!!

1. Popularity of Nationalist Cause

2. Guerilla Warfare 3. Anti-War Movement

#1. Popularity of Nationalist Cause#1. Popularity of Nationalist Cause

z Both North and South Vietnamese Both North and South Vietnamese saw Ho Chi Minh as the “father” of saw Ho Chi Minh as the “father” of their countrytheir country

z They felt they were fighting for their They felt they were fighting for their independence and willing to suffer independence and willing to suffer large losses to re-unify their countrylarge losses to re-unify their country

z Disruptions weakened the South Disruptions weakened the South Vietnam govt; Corruption became Vietnam govt; Corruption became widespreadwidespread

z South Vietnam failed to gain popular South Vietnam failed to gain popular supportsupport

z 1967 South Vietnam ruled by dictator1967 South Vietnam ruled by dictator

#2. Guerilla Warfare

#2. Guerilla Warfare

z U.S. Soldiers were unfamiliar with U.S. Soldiers were unfamiliar with Vietnamese culture and physical Vietnamese culture and physical environmentenvironment

z Unable to tell who was friendly and who Unable to tell who was friendly and who was the enemywas the enemy

z Vietnam jungles provided ideal cover for Vietnam jungles provided ideal cover for guerilla warfare and secret enemy guerilla warfare and secret enemy movementsmovements

z Vietnam’s location made it easy for Vietnam’s location made it easy for Communists to send a steady flow of Communists to send a steady flow of supplies through neighboring countriessupplies through neighboring countries

Who Is the Enemy?

Who Is the Enemy?

#3. Anti-War Movement

#3. Anti-War Movement

z Media has a great influence in shaping Media has a great influence in shaping public opinionpublic opinion

z Newspapers, radio, televisionNewspapers, radio, television

z First time America audiences could First time America audiences could watch WARwatch WAR

z LBJ (Johnson) told U.S. they were LBJ (Johnson) told U.S. they were winning the warwinning the war

z Journalist reported otherwiseJournalist reported otherwisez ““Credibility Gap”Credibility Gap”

z Americans lost faith in their government’s reliabilityAmericans lost faith in their government’s reliability

Anti-War MovementAnti-War

Movementz Disconnect among young Americans who objected their Disconnect among young Americans who objected their

country’s involvement in Vietnamcountry’s involvement in Vietnamz Mass anti-war movements occurred from 1965 until the Mass anti-war movements occurred from 1965 until the

end of the war in 1975end of the war in 1975z They burned draft cards, march on the Pentagon, held They burned draft cards, march on the Pentagon, held

rallies and staged demonstrationsrallies and staged demonstrationsz By 1968, millions of young Americans actively protested By 1968, millions of young Americans actively protested

the warthe warz Anti-War movement influenced Military policyAnti-War movement influenced Military policyz American “doves”American “doves”

z Wanted U.S. withdraw from Vietnamz Saw war as a civil war between North and South Vietnamz Believed U.S. leaders were acting immorally by bombing civilians and burning

villages z American “hawks”American “hawks”

z Supported the warz Believed it was an attempted to protect South Vietnam from Communist

takeover

President Nixon1969-1973

President Nixon1969-1973

z Republican President Richard Nixon was Republican President Richard Nixon was

elected in 1969elected in 1969z Reasons for winning electionsReasons for winning elections

z Division among Democratic PartyDivision among Democratic Partyz Assassination of Robert Kennedy Assassination of Robert Kennedy

(younger brother to JFK)(younger brother to JFK)z Staunch anti-communistStaunch anti-communistz Promised Americans “peace with Promised Americans “peace with

honor” in Vietnamhonor” in Vietnamz However war dragged on for 5 more However war dragged on for 5 more

yearsyearsz Henry Kissinger aided NixonHenry Kissinger aided Nixon

z Introduced “Vietnamization”Introduced “Vietnamization”z Increased bombings and diplomacyIncreased bombings and diplomacy

Vietnamization – South Vietnam Army gradually took over the brunt fighting allowing U.S. forces withdrawal, same time increase bombing of North Vietnam and provide military aid to South Vietnam

Invasion of Cambodia – Nixon believed war would shorten if supply routes (Ho Chi Minh Trail) from North to South could be cut. 1970 U.S. invaded Cambodia

Diplomatic Overtures – Nixon negotiated with Vietnam’s communist allies (China and Soviet Union) to put pressure on North Vietnam

VietnamizationVietnamization

Nixon’s Vietnam Policy

Nixon – Public Anti-War

INCREASES

Nixon – Public Anti-War

INCREASESz Increased with Increased with bombing of Cambodiabombing of Cambodia

z 1969 – National 1969 – National guardsmen shoot and guardsmen shoot and kill 4 students kill 4 students demonstrating at Kent demonstrating at Kent State, OhioState, Ohio

z College campuses College campuses across the nation close across the nation close due to student due to student demonstrationsdemonstrations

z Student engaged in Student engaged in mass marches on mass marches on Washington D.C. and Washington D.C. and other major citiesother major cities

Kent State Kent State UniversityUniversity

Nixon – Public Anti-War

INCREASES

Nixon – Public Anti-War

INCREASESz Nixon and VP Agnew insisted most Nixon and VP Agnew insisted most Americans supported the warAmericans supported the war

z ““Silent Majority” is what they called themSilent Majority” is what they called them

z Exchanges between anti-war and pro-war Exchanges between anti-war and pro-war supporters became violentsupporters became violent

z Pentagon Papers Pentagon Papers

z leaked documents in 1971 New York Timesleaked documents in 1971 New York Times

z revealed several Presidents before Nixon LIED to revealed several Presidents before Nixon LIED to America about VietnamAmerica about Vietnam

z President felt Vietnam could not be won but didn’t President felt Vietnam could not be won but didn’t want the disgrace of defeat with their Presidencywant the disgrace of defeat with their Presidency

Democratic Democratic Convention in Convention in Chicago, 1968Chicago, 1968

Student Student Protestors Protestors

at Univ. of CA at Univ. of CA in Berkeley, 1968in Berkeley, 1968

Anti-War Demonstrations

Anti-War Demonstrations

The Fall of SaigonThe Fall of Saigon

z Vietnamization gradually Vietnamization gradually reduced U.S. armed forces in reduced U.S. armed forces in VietnamVietnam

z 1973 – Kissinger led 1973 – Kissinger led negotiators in Paris to work a negotiators in Paris to work a cease-fire agreement with cease-fire agreement with North VietnamNorth Vietnam

z Nixon agreed to pull out all Nixon agreed to pull out all remaining U.S. troops from remaining U.S. troops from Vietnam if North Vietnam Vietnam if North Vietnam would release U.S. prisoners of would release U.S. prisoners of warwar

z After U.S. withdrawal fighting After U.S. withdrawal fighting continuedcontinued

The Fall of SaigonThe Fall of Saigon

z South Vietnamese Army incapable South Vietnamese Army incapable of stopping advance of North of stopping advance of North Vietnam ArmyVietnam Army

z April 30, 1975, Saigon (South April 30, 1975, Saigon (South Vietnam capital) fell to the NVAVietnam capital) fell to the NVA

z Saigon (present day Ho Chi Minh Saigon (present day Ho Chi Minh City) marked the end of the City) marked the end of the Vietnam WarVietnam War

z South Vietnamese government South Vietnamese government officials, military officers, and officials, military officers, and soldiers who supported American soldiers who supported American presence in Vietnam were sent to presence in Vietnam were sent to Communist “re-education camps” Communist “re-education camps” where they faced torture, disease where they faced torture, disease and malnutritionand malnutrition

The Fall of Saigon

The Fall of Saigon

America Abandons Its America Abandons Its EmbassyEmbassy

April 30, 1975April 30, 1975

The Fall of Saigon

The Fall of Saigon

North Vietnamese North Vietnamese at the Presidential Palaceat the Presidential Palace

Vietnam War LegacyVietnam War Legacy

1. Death and Destruction – 58,000+ Americans died1. Many suffered physical and psychological injuries2. 1+ million Vietnamese killed; many more left homeless

2. Impact at Home and abroad – expenses led end of some Great Society programs

1. Brought rising inflation2. Demonstrated that public opinion can affect government policy3. Crisis in American self-confidence; next to the U.S. Civil War, Vietnam

War was most divisive war in U.S. History

3. Limits Presidential Power1. Both Korean and Vietnam Wars, U.S. President sent troops into

extended combat without declaration of war from Congress2. 1973, Congress passed WAR POWERS ACT – sets limits on President’s

power in a conflict without formal declaration of war by Congress3. The act requires the President to inform Congress within 48 hrs of

sending troops to fight overseas; if within 60 days Congress doesn’t approve of usage of these forces, President must withdraw them

26th Amendment Most states set the voting

age at 21– Draft age in the military

was 18 Many Americans protested

the law during Vietnam War– Saying it was unfair to send

someone to war without letting them vote

Ratified in 1971– Lowered the voting age to

18