Vietnam Conflict

1. Vietnam Conflict

2. Background • Former French Colony as part of Indochina • Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia • After World War II, they pushed for Independence • French resist. (lose battle at Dien Bien Phu) • Communist leader Ho Chi Minh leads independence movement • Geneva Convention in 1954 divides country. • North led by Ho Chi Minh and Communist • South led by Ngo Dihn Diem and Anti-Communist • Who do you think the U.S. supported?

3. Early Aid • 1955-1961 U.S. gives over $1 Billion aid to South Vietnam • Eisenhower makes analogy which becomes the Domino Theory • SEATO – 1954 Mutual defense treaty (SouthEast Asia Treaty Organization) • Buildup of U.S. military in South Vietnam continues with IKE, JFK, LBJ • There as military “advisers” • Diem’s gov’t corrupt and unpopular • Buddhists monks protest with fire • (Diem supported upper-class Catholics) • JKF (secretly) approves Diem’s assassination and overthrow

4. The big one to remember • 1964 – naval incident in Gulf of Tonkin • LBJ uses it to ask Congress for combat forces • Vote – House 416 to 0, Senate 88 to 2 give him power • Tonkin Gulf Resolution • Gave President “all necessary measures” to protect U.S. interests in Vietnam • Most Americans supported this resolution at the time.

5. Escalation of War • In 1965, U.S. expanded operations to save Saigon government • Operation Rolling Thunder – sustained bombing of North Vietnam • In April, ground troops used for first time • Gen. William Westmoreland – commander, but “limited war” Why? • War of Attrition – plan U.S. had to wear down enemy • Search and destroy missions • Use of Napalm and Agent Orange • Hamlet Program • Meant to help against Vietcong • These led to more alienation of peasants

7. 1968 • Tet Offensive (Jan/Feb) • Surprise attack by the Vietcong (NLF) • Officially a U.S. victory, but battle changes view of many Americans • MyLai massacre – over 300 villagers killed. • Lt. William Calley later convicted • Quagmire • “Body Count”

8. Hawks and Doves • Hawks – supporters of the war (against communism) • Doves – viewed the war as a civil war • Some opposed due to cost of money and lives • Greatest opposition on college campuses. • What areas were more likely to support war? • North/South, East/West, Rural/Urban • After Tet, more opposed the war. • TV anchor Walter Cronkite’s editorial • LBJ – declines running in 1968 election

9. Nixon takes over • 1968 – Tet, LBJ declines, MLK and RFK assassinations • Nixon’s Peace with Honor and “Law and Order” campaign wins • 1969 Pullout of ground troops plan – Vietnamization • 1970 Invasion/air bombing of Cambodia • 1971 US Air Force assists in unsuccessful invasion of Laos • 1972 increase in air bombings in Cambodia and Vietnam North Vietnam launches Easter Invasion Christmas bombing of N.V. (U.S. loses 15 B-52s)

10. End of the (former) Longest War • 1973 Paris Accords • U.S. agrees to withdraw last of troops • Ceasefire in Vietnam with promise of free elections • But civil war actually continues in South Vietnam • U.S. leaves after losing $118 billion and over 58,000 soldiers • 1975 (April) Fall of Saigon – North Vietnam takes over • Then-president Ford asks Congress to allow military aid to S.V., but denied • U.S. helps evacuate over 150,000 but not all • Low point of American prestige overseas and confidence at home

12. Credibility Gap? • 1971 Daniel Ellsberg releases the Pentagon Papers • U.S. vs. NY Times – ruled paper had right to publish them • Pentagon Papers showed that the “war was to protect American prestige” and that the public had been mislead. • War Powers Act – passed in 1973 would restrict future engagements. • President must inform Congress within 48 hours • Is it Constitutional?

13. Other misc. Vietnam to know • Robert McNamara – Secretary of Defense • Henry Kissinger – Nixon’s Foreign Advisor / Sec. of State • 1st televised war – Showed credibility gap of government • 1968 Democrat Primaries and Convention

14. Soldiers • Average age much lower than WWII • Minorities and poor over represented • 20% of combat soldiers – African American (10% of population) • Late in war, problems with desertion, drugs, insubordination, and crimes becomes a problem • Soldiers faced bitter homecoming • Over 55,000 killed, over 300,000 wounded, PTSD • MIAs / POWs

15. Protests in Colleges • SDS – Student for Democrat Society • Tom Hayden – Leader • Port Huron statement – declaration of beliefs • Teach-ins • 1970 CIA intensifies surveillance of antiwar groups • Kent State – 1970, National Guard fire upon student protesters • 4 killed, 9 wounded • Ten days later 2 students killed at Jackson State

16. Draft Dodgers • “Rich man’s war…poor man’s fight” • Ways to legal get out: • Medical • College • National Guard • Move to another precinct • Other ways: • Sympathic Doctors • Canada/Sweden

17. Reasons for opposition • Civil War • South Vietnam government oppressive • U.S. is not the world’s police • War is immoral • Problems at home

18. Reflection Questions • In what ways is the Vietnam Conflict much like the American Revolutionary War? • How do the following represent the attitudes about Vietnam: Tonkin Gulf Resolution, Tet, and War Powers Act? • Why did the United States involved in Indochina and was it successful? • What affected the attitudes of people in the United States about the military conflict?

19. Links • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L7oMsUs2rg – review video • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnnLrmboOYE – music and Vietnam • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuUBCF3KKxc – Country Joe