the vietnam war. deepening involvement the united states became involved in the vietnam war in 1964....
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The Vietnam WarThe Vietnam War
Deepening Involvement Deepening Involvement
The United States became The United States became involved in the Vietnam involved in the Vietnam War in 1964.War in 1964.
The war escalated in 1965.The war escalated in 1965.
What other things were What other things were going on in US society going on in US society during the Vietnam War?during the Vietnam War?
The Vietnam War was one of The Vietnam War was one of the most tragic events of the the most tragic events of the Cold War.Cold War.
Thousands of soldiers were Thousands of soldiers were sent to fight in Vietnam, sent to fight in Vietnam, billions of dollars was spent.billions of dollars was spent.
The war and other issues The war and other issues caused deep divisions in caused deep divisions in American Society.American Society.
Goal of the war:Goal of the war:The United States entered The United States entered
Vietnam to defeat Vietnam to defeat Communist forces Communist forces threatening South threatening South Vietnam.Vietnam.
Background-Background-Vietnam was a separate Vietnam was a separate
nationalist country in Southeast nationalist country in Southeast Asia dating back nearly 2,000 Asia dating back nearly 2,000 years.years.
They spent much of their time They spent much of their time defending themselves from defending themselves from China.China.
In the 1800s France became a In the 1800s France became a colonial power in Vietnam and colonial power in Vietnam and met similar resistance.met similar resistance.
Ho Chi MinhHo Chi Minha nationalist who sympathized a nationalist who sympathized
with communists ideas, and with communists ideas, and led a campaign for led a campaign for Vietnamese independence Vietnamese independence (from France). (from France).
Policy makers in the United Policy makers in the United States saw Ho as a States saw Ho as a communist, and therefore the communist, and therefore the ENEMY.ENEMY.
Geneva Conference Geneva Conference Vietnam was two separate Vietnam was two separate
nations in 1954 (North and nations in 1954 (North and South).South).
The The Geneva ConferenceGeneva Conference was an agreement to was an agreement to provide elections and unify provide elections and unify South Vietnam. The South Vietnam. The elections never happened.elections never happened.
Kennedy’s Vietnam Kennedy’s Vietnam PolicyPolicy Kennedy was determined to Kennedy was determined to
prevent the spread of prevent the spread of communismcommunism at all costs. at all costs.
This meant helping and This meant helping and protecting South Vietnam.protecting South Vietnam.
Kennedy sent ‘Kennedy sent ‘military advisersmilitary advisers’ ’ in 1963 to help aid.in 1963 to help aid.
The leader of South Vietnam, The leader of South Vietnam, Diem, lacked support of much of Diem, lacked support of much of his own country.his own country.
Kennedy’s Policy (cont)Kennedy’s Policy (cont) Diem moved peasants from their Diem moved peasants from their
native homelands. (Intended to native homelands. (Intended to isolate peasants from communist isolate peasants from communist influence).influence).
In addition In addition Diem was a CatholicDiem was a Catholic in a largely Buddhist country.in a largely Buddhist country.
Diem insisted that Buddhist Diem insisted that Buddhist follow Catholic religious laws-this follow Catholic religious laws-this caused RESISTANCE!caused RESISTANCE!
Buddhist monks protested Diem’s Buddhist monks protested Diem’s government by burning themselves government by burning themselves on the streets of Saigon.on the streets of Saigon.
US advisers did not think US advisers did not think Vietnam could be won under Vietnam could be won under Diem’s rule.Diem’s rule.
The US encouraged Diem to be The US encouraged Diem to be overthrown, and in November overthrown, and in November 1963, Diem was not only 1963, Diem was not only overthrown, he was overthrown, he was ASSASSINATED.ASSASSINATED.
The US took over the The US took over the government.government.
Robert McNamaraRobert McNamara
Secretary of DefenseSecretary of DefenseGave up on President Diem.Gave up on President Diem.Responsible for drawing the US Responsible for drawing the US
deeper into the war.deeper into the war.Pushed for a “flexible response” Pushed for a “flexible response”
to handle the conflict with to handle the conflict with military power. This started military power. This started with ‘advisers,’ and ended up with ‘advisers,’ and ended up requiring military action.requiring military action.
Johnson’s WarJohnson’s WarThree weeks after Diems Three weeks after Diems
assassination, Kennedy was assassination, Kennedy was assassinated himself, leaving the assassinated himself, leaving the war to Johnson.war to Johnson.
TWO ENEMIES:TWO ENEMIES:Communist North Communist North VietnameseVietnamese
Viet Cong-Viet Cong-communist communist guerrillas in South Vietnam. guerrillas in South Vietnam.
The map shows us the The map shows us the Ho Chi MinhHo Chi Minh trail. The trail was a trail. The trail was a supply route supply route from North Vietnam through Laos from North Vietnam through Laos and Cambodiaand Cambodia..
Intensification/EscalationIntensification/Escalation August 1964, Johnson made an August 1964, Johnson made an
announcement that announcement that North North Vietnamese torpedoes had attacked Vietnamese torpedoes had attacked US destroyers in the Gulf of TonkinUS destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin, , 30 miles from North Vietnam. 30 miles from North Vietnam.
Details about the attack were Details about the attack were sketchy.sketchy.
This allowed him to call for deeper This allowed him to call for deeper involvement in the conflict.involvement in the conflict.
Gulf of Tonkin ResolutionGulf of Tonkin Resolution Congressed passed the Congressed passed the Gulf of Gulf of
Tonkin ResolutionTonkin Resolution in, which in, which allowed Johnson to deepen allowed Johnson to deepen involvement.involvement.
EscalationEscalation-gradual military -gradual military expansion. More and more expansion. More and more troops were sent. troops were sent.
The Tet OffensiveThe Tet Offensive A major offensive by the Viet Cong A major offensive by the Viet Cong
and North Vietnam.and North Vietnam. CAUSED ESCALATION to continue!CAUSED ESCALATION to continue! There were attacks on the There were attacks on the
American embassy in Saigon.American embassy in Saigon. Images of the fighting were on TV.Images of the fighting were on TV. This caused America to become This caused America to become
divided.divided.
Escalation TimelineEscalation Timeline
19641964-Gulf of Tonkin, gradual -Gulf of Tonkin, gradual military build-upmilitary build-up
19651965-After attacks against American -After attacks against American troops, North Vietnam is bombed troops, North Vietnam is bombed and escalation continued…and escalation continued…
1966-19671966-1967-Number of soldiers -Number of soldiers continues to INCREASEcontinues to INCREASE
19681968-Viet Cong and North -Viet Cong and North Vietnamese launch the Tet Vietnamese launch the Tet OffensiveOffensive
Battlefield ConditionsBattlefield Conditions
American soldiers went into American soldiers went into the war with enthusiasm. the war with enthusiasm. Many believed that they Many believed that they needed to end communism at needed to end communism at all costs (remember this is all costs (remember this is still a part of the Cold War).still a part of the Cold War).
ConditionsConditionsSoldiers had to carry 60 lb-Soldiers had to carry 60 lb-
packs.packs.Walk thru the jungle with 10 Walk thru the jungle with 10
foot tall elephant grass and foot tall elephant grass and cross flooded rice paddies. cross flooded rice paddies.
They had to fight leeches and They had to fight leeches and jungle rot-a fungus that jungle rot-a fungus that infected the skin.infected the skin.
Effects on Civilians Effects on Civilians American soldiers never knew who American soldiers never knew who
the enemy was (the Viet Cong were the enemy was (the Viet Cong were unidentifiable - they dressed as unidentifiable - they dressed as civilians).civilians).
Civilians in the North and South Civilians in the North and South took heavy casualties.took heavy casualties.
SaturationSaturation bombingbombing-American -American plains would drop thousands of plains would drop thousands of tons of bombs over large areas.tons of bombs over large areas.
Many elements of Vietnamese Many elements of Vietnamese cultureculture was destroyed as the was destroyed as the war progressed.war progressed.
Agent OrangeAgent Orange, a chemical , a chemical used to kill forests and used to kill forests and undergrowth, also killed undergrowth, also killed crops, and caused health crops, and caused health problems.problems.
Other agents of destruction:Other agents of destruction:NapalmNapalm- a destructive chemical, - a destructive chemical,
jellylike substance caused jellylike substance caused people’s skin topeople’s skin to be seared off be seared off their bodies.their bodies.
Why was the fighting in Why was the fighting in Vietnam Vietnam frustratingfrustrating for for
American Soldiers?American Soldiers?Soldiers never knew who the Soldiers never knew who the
enemy was. Viet Cong wore enemy was. Viet Cong wore civilian clothes. civilian clothes.
They used ambush tactics They used ambush tactics They used young children as They used young children as
suicide bomberssuicide bombers
Helicopters became very important in Helicopters became very important in the Vietnam War. It could get the Vietnam War. It could get troops in and out of the dense areas troops in and out of the dense areas of Vietnam. Helicopters = New of Vietnam. Helicopters = New Cavalry Cavalry
The End of the War The End of the War
Main Idea:Main Idea: The end of the The end of the Vietnam War involved slow-Vietnam War involved slow-moving peace negotiations, moving peace negotiations, the gradual withdrawal of the gradual withdrawal of American troops, and the fall American troops, and the fall of South Vietnamof South Vietnam..
Johnson’s DepartureJohnson’s DepartureThe antiwar movement was in full The antiwar movement was in full
swing by 1968. Artists, swing by 1968. Artists, musicians, and authors musicians, and authors contributed to the antiwar contributed to the antiwar crusade.crusade.
As American casualties increased, As American casualties increased, the public grew in opposition to the public grew in opposition to Johnson’s handling of the war.Johnson’s handling of the war.
Johnson started to realize that he Johnson started to realize that he had lost his base support.had lost his base support.
What did the American public What did the American public think of Johnson near the end of think of Johnson near the end of
the war? the war? In February 1968, Johnson’s In February 1968, Johnson’s
disapproval rating was at disapproval rating was at 50%. In comparison in 50%. In comparison in December 1965, it was only December 1965, it was only 26%.26%.
Paris Peace TalksParis Peace Talks
The North Vietnamese The North Vietnamese agreed to peace talks in agreed to peace talks in Paris. Paris.
Nixon’s PoliciesNixon’s Policies
Nixon won the presidency. Nixon won the presidency. He had a secret plan to get He had a secret plan to get out of Vietnam. Many critics out of Vietnam. Many critics doubted that the plan really doubted that the plan really existed.existed.
The plan won him the The plan won him the election.election.
VietnamizationVietnamizationNixon dedicated himself to a Nixon dedicated himself to a
policy called “Vietnamization.”policy called “Vietnamization.”This involved removing This involved removing
American forces and replacing American forces and replacing them with South Vietnam them with South Vietnam soldiers.soldiers.
Form 1968 to 1972 troop Form 1968 to 1972 troop strength dropped from 536,000 strength dropped from 536,000 to 24,000.to 24,000.
Invading CambodiaInvading CambodiaWhy did the US invade Cambodia?Why did the US invade Cambodia?
President Nixon ordered President Nixon ordered secret bombing on Cambodia. secret bombing on Cambodia. This was an attempt to stop This was an attempt to stop communist camps and communist camps and sentiment in Cambodia.sentiment in Cambodia.
It caused civil war in It caused civil war in Cambodia.Cambodia.
American WithdrawalAmerican WithdrawalThe war dragged on as did The war dragged on as did
the Paris Peace talks.the Paris Peace talks.In March of 1972, North In March of 1972, North
Vietnam launched a full Vietnam launched a full scale assault on South scale assault on South Vietnam.Vietnam.
This made Nixon to call for This made Nixon to call for intensified bombing.intensified bombing.
““Peace is at Hand”Peace is at Hand”Days before the 1972 election, National Days before the 1972 election, National
Security adviser, Henry Kissinger, Security adviser, Henry Kissinger, announced that “Peace was at hand.”announced that “Peace was at hand.”
It was not true at all, but probably It was not true at all, but probably helped him in the reelection helped him in the reelection campaign.campaign.
In January of 1973, The US, North In January of 1973, The US, North Vietnam, South Vietnam and the Viet Vietnam, South Vietnam and the Viet Cong signed a formal agreement in Cong signed a formal agreement in Paris.Paris.
1973 agreement in Paris1973 agreement in Paris1.1. The United States would withdrawal its The United States would withdrawal its
forces from South Vietnam in 60 days.forces from South Vietnam in 60 days.
2.2. All prisoners of war would be released.All prisoners of war would be released.
3.3. All parties to the agreement would end All parties to the agreement would end military activities in Laos and military activities in Laos and Cambodia.Cambodia.
4.4. The 17The 17thth parallel would continue to parallel would continue to divide North and South Vietnam until divide North and South Vietnam until the country could be reunited.the country could be reunited.
South Vietnam Falls South Vietnam Falls The US involvement in the war The US involvement in the war ended, but the North and ended, but the North and South fought for two more South fought for two more years.years.
The North eventually beat the The North eventually beat the South and Vietnam became South and Vietnam became one nation under a communist one nation under a communist government.government.
The Legacy of the WarThe Legacy of the WarThe Vietnam War was the longest The Vietnam War was the longest
and least successful war in and least successful war in American history.American history.
Counting the CostsCounting the Costs58,000 American soldiers dead, 58,000 American soldiers dead,
300,000 wounded.300,000 wounded.$150 billion $150 billion The number of dead Vietnamese The number of dead Vietnamese
civilians and soldiers ran into civilians and soldiers ran into MILLIONS!MILLIONS!
Southeast Asia After the WarSoutheast Asia After the WarThe suffering of the Cambodian The suffering of the Cambodian
people was one of the most tragic people was one of the most tragic effects of the war. effects of the war.
In April 1975, Cambodia fell to the In April 1975, Cambodia fell to the Khmer Rouge, a force of Khmer Rouge, a force of communists led by Pol Pot.communists led by Pol Pot.
1.5 Cambodians were killed in the 1.5 Cambodians were killed in the invasion.invasion.
South Vietnamese soldiers were South Vietnamese soldiers were sent to “re-education camps.”sent to “re-education camps.”
What does “MIA” What does “MIA” and “POW” mean?and “POW” mean?
MIA- “Missing in Action”MIA- “Missing in Action”
POW- “Prisoner of War”POW- “Prisoner of War”
Many American soldiers were Many American soldiers were either identified as POW or either identified as POW or MIA after the war ended.MIA after the war ended.
Vietnam Veterans MemorialVietnam Veterans Memorial
A memorial was completed in A memorial was completed in 1982 to recognize the 1982 to recognize the courage of American GIs courage of American GIs during the Vietnam War.during the Vietnam War.
It is in Washington, D. C.It is in Washington, D. C.
