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Vietnam: Part I A Chronology of Events

Vietnam: Part I A Chronology of Events. The War in Southeast Asia Background. America’s most unpopular war America’s longest and most expensive war The best technical war money could buy America hardly ever lost a tactical battle A war America did not win.

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Vietnam: Part I A Chronology of Events

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  1. Vietnam: Part IA Chronology of Events

  2. The War in Southeast Asia Background • America’s most unpopular war • America’s longest and most expensive war • The best technical war money could buy • America hardly ever lost a tactical battle • A war America did not win

  3. The War in Southeast AsiaBackground • Often called the Vietnam War • Americans flew from bases in Thailand, Laos, Guam and South Vietnam • Troops from Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Philippines fought with the US and South Vietnam • China and the Soviet Union heavily supported North Vietnam

  4. The War in Southeast AsiaGeneral Causes • A regional power vacuum existed in Southeast after WW II • South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia were politically unstable • North Vietnam wanted to reunite North and South Vietnam under communist rule • America wanted to prevent the spread of communism, by force if necessary

  5. The French Era – 1940 to 1954 • Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia were originally a French colony -- 19th century • Japanese occupied SEA at start of WW II • Opposed by guerrilla force led by Ho Chi Minh • US backed Ho Chi Minh’s efforts to oust Japan • At end of WW II, Ho declared Vietnam an independent nation • Allies ignored Ho and divided Vietnam at the 16th parallel -- Potsdam Conference

  6. The War in Southeast AsiaThe French Era (Cont) • French returned to fill power vacuum after WW II--US supports French, but not happy • Fighting between France and Vietminh began in 1946 • France was defeated at Dien Bien Phu by General Vo Nguyen Giap -- 7 May 1954 • Requested US air support -- nuclear if necessary -- didn’t get it • France withdrew from Indochina--for good

  7. Geneva Accords - July 1954 • Officially ended France-Vietminh struggle • US and South Vietnam didn’t sign Accords • Divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel • Separated by a demilitarized zone (DMZ) • Partition was to be temporary • Elections were planned in 1956 -- didn’t occur • President Diem (South Vietnam) feared Ho Chi Minh of North Vietnam would win

  8. Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) • Initiated by the US in Sept 1954 to prevent spread of communism -- “Domino Theory” • Member nations were: US, Great Britain, France, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand Philippines, and Pakistan • Didn’t require participants to support each other with military force • Politically justified US actions in S Vietnam

  9. US Involvement - 1955 to 1964 • US reluctantly moved to fill power vacuum • April 1955--US agrees to advise S Vietnam • Green Berets arrive Oct 1959 -- to train only • 1959 -- North Vietnam increased actions to unify North and South • US increased action to prevent a North victory • Aug ‘64 -- N Vietnamese gunboats attack 2 US destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin

  10. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution -Aug ‘64 • Passed by Congress 5 Aug 1964 • Radically altered the War in Southeast Asia • Empowered President Johnson to: “To take all necessary steps to repel armed attack against US forces” “To take all necessary steps, including force, to assist S Vietnam and any member of SEATO” • Committed US to fight for S Vietnam

  11. US Build-up -- 1965 to 1968 • March 1965 -- US Marine and Army arrive • “Rolling Thunder”bombing campaign begun • By 1969, US troop strength reached 543,000 (500,000 supported the war from other Asian countries and Pacific bases) • US became heavily involved in fighting a guerrilla war-- they were not prepared • 30 Jan ‘68 -- North launched Tet Offensive

  12. Tet Offensive of 1968The Beginning of the End • North attacked 12 US bases and Embassy • Objective -- Shatter the South’s army and cause a civilian revolt -- Neither happened • A tactical failure -- a huge strategic success • American confidence in war effort plummeted • Opposition to the war increased significantly • After Tet, US objective was to get out, quickly and gracefully

  13. VietnamizationThe US Withdrawal • Nov 1968 -Nixon elected on promise to end the war in Southeast Asia • Nixon’s Vietnamization program was to return the war to the South Vietnamese • US to provide advice, training and material • Returned US and S Vietnam to pre-1965 roles • US forces began withdrawing in June 1969 • US morale dropped / winning no longer a goal

  14. Events Surrounding the Paris Peace Talks • Talks began in ‘68 but achieved nothing • North Vietnam knew time was on their side • US units continued to withdraw • By 1972, 200,000 US troops had left Vietnam • March ‘72-- North launched its “Easter Offensive” against South Vietnam • Attack repelled by US air power (Linebacker I)

  15. Events Surrounding the Paris Peace Talks (Cont) • Talks resumed following the Easter Offensive --again little movement • Late 1972, Nixon ordered massive bombing of North Vietnam (Linebacker II) • Linebacker II forced the North to negotiate in earnest • Peace Accords signed 27 Jan 1973 • Called for US to withdraw all units by Mar ‘73

  16. The Fall of South Vietnam • Between ‘73 and ‘75, North continued to build strength in violation of Peace Accords • Nixon preoccupied with Watergate • US Congress tired of Vietnam and refused to help • Feb ‘75, North launched the Ho Chi Minh campaign against the South • South easily defeated without US air support • Laos and Cambodia fell quickly thereafter

  17. The War in Southeast AsiaCosts to the US • 58,135 Americans killed, 153,000 wounded, 2500 missing in action • $141 billion spent • 6.3 million tons of bombs dropped (12 times more than Korea, 2 times more than WW II) • 2,257 aircraft lost ($3.1 billion value) • 5.2 million combat sorties flown

  18. The War in SoutheastAsia Results • US reluctance to enter military conflicts that don’t directly threaten national interests • Congressional restriction on President’s ability to commit US military forces • Lessened public opinion of the government and the military • The all-volunteer military force • Increased emphasis on military resources, training and weapons

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