the vietnam war may 13, 2014 note packet k. unrest in asia timeline sept. 1945 ho chi minh...
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The Vietnam War May 13, 2014 Note Packet K
Unrest in Asia Timeline
Sept. 1945 Ho Chi Minh (Communists) proclaims
Democratic Republican of Vietnam
Unrest in Asia Timeline
1946 - 1949 “Puppet leader” ineffective against Ho
Chi Minh
Oct. 1949 Mao Zedong recognizes the gov’t under
Ho Chi Minh
Unrest in Asia Timeline
1950-1953 US provides aid to French’s struggle in
Vietnam
1953 – 1954 Eisenhower debates on how much aid,
support to French
Unrest in Asia Timeline
1954 Geneva Accords divide Vietnam @ 17th parallel SEATO agrees to protect Vietnam N & S Vietnam agree to hold elections, reunite
the country
Unrest in Asia Timeline
1955 Aid increased to Vietnam
1956 S Vietnam refuses to hold elections
1960 Vietcong (communist guerrillas) recognized as
the National Liberation Front (NLF) of Vietnam
Reasons for War
1.Prevent the spread of communism
2.Stop the rise of aggressor gov’ts
3.Protect the nation’s position as a superpower
4.Defend democracy
Kennedy’s Policy Towards Vietnam
Supported the Diem regime in beginning
Increased American military advisors to Vietnam
US didn’t object South Vietnam’s coup against Diem
Intended to withdraw US from Vietnam
Johnson’s Policy Towards Vietnam
Viet Cong & National Liberation Front
Henry Cabot Lodge – US ambassador to Vietnam
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution US destroyers attacked by N Vietnam President can take all necessary measures to repel any
attack against US forces Justified expansion of war
By 1965 President had control, no official declaration of war
http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/gulf-of-tonkin-resolution/videos/lbj-gulf-of-tonkin-incident
Fighting the War
Guerrilla Warfare Enemy did not wear uniforms Fought in the jungles of Southeast Asia No clear battlefield Land mines
http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/gulf-of-tonkin-resolution/videos/vietnam-war-tactics?m=528e394da93ae&s=undefined&f=1&free=false
The Air War
Introduction of B-52s
Saturation bombing
Fragmentation bombs
Agent Organge – herbicide as chemical weapon
Napalm – jelly substance causing burns
Course of the War 1965 - 1968
Military escalation
Ho Chi Minh Trail
The Tet Offensive – Viet Cong & N Vietnam launch major offensive Viet Cong capable of massive attacks US citizens becoming discouraged
My Lai Massacre
Political Division & Resistance to the War
Hawks & Doves Congress members divided
on War Hawks – win at any cost Doves – immediate
withdrawal
Political Division & Resistance to the War
Student Protests University of Calif @ Berkeley Students for Democratic Society
Anti-establishment The Free Speech Movement The Teach-In Movement
Special sessions held by professors
Political Division & Resistance to the War
Protest Marches Washington DC NYC Pentagon
Political Division & Resistance to the War
Draft Resisters Fled to Canada Sought deferments to go to college Large number of minorities went to war American youth hostile towards
Johnson’s policies
Political Division & Resistance to the War
Election of 1968 Anti-war democrats running against Johnson
(Robert Kennedy) Johnson decides not to run unpopular Democratic Convention chose pro-war candidate
Rallies riots Republican candidate Nixon wins
The End of the Vietnam War
Nation’s most costly war
Support at an all time low
Nixon widened military activities
The End of the Vietnam War
Vietnamization Takeover of the ground fighting Bombing Cambodia
Protest at Kent State Univ. Support at an all time low
The End of the Vietnam War
Peace with Honor Peace talks deadlocked 1973 “peace with honor” & cease-fire
would take place soon
The End of the Vietnam War
The War Powers Act of 1973 Passed by Congress overriding
Nixon’s veto Reverse Gulf Tonkin Resolution
President had to notify Congress within 48 hrs of sending troops to foreign country
President had to bring troops home within 60 days unless congress voting them to stay
Gave Congress more power in dealing with international conflicts
The End of the Vietnam War
End of the Vietnam War US withdrew, while N Vietnam overran S
Vietnam Saigon gov’t collapses US aid finally ceases Domino Theory becomes reality
The End of the Vietnam War
Conclusion on Vietnam War US politics acted in response to variety of
public pressures US foreign policy supported view of US
being involved in foreign affairs US questioned its role as world police
officer
The End of the Vietnam War
Conclusion on Vietnam War Expansion of presidential powers during
war time may not always be the best choice Limited after war
26th amendment passed Voting age lowered to 18 (18 yr olds
fighting should have a say)