Vietnam War

1. Vietnam War Moving Toward Conflict

2. Some History • French had ruled Indochina (piece of SE Asia including Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia) from the late 1800s until WWII • Harshly controlling of peasants – Ho Chi Minh leads a number of Communist revolts • Sentenced to death, but fled the country • Japan seizes Vietnam in 1940, Ho Chi Minh returns to Vietnam and forms Vietminh – organization dedicated to Vietnamese independence. • August of 1945, defeat of Japan forces them out, Ho Chi Minh declares Vietnam independent.

3. Continuing History • France tries to reclaim its colony – succeeds in cities/South • Ho Chi Minh vows to fight from North – Cool quote in text; think of what kind of war it implies:“if ever the tiger (the Vietminh) pauses, the elephant (France) will impale him on his mighty tusks. But the tiger will not pause, and the elephant will die of exhaustion and loss of blood.” • U.S. bankrolls French war – why?

4. Domino Theory • Like a row of dominoes, if the first one falls, more will follow • However, despite American aid, French fail • Surrender after fall of Dien Bien Phu • Geneva Accords divide Vietnam along 17th parallel • Ho Chi Minh leads North, Ngo Dinh Diem leads South

5. Vietcong • Diem’s government is corrupt, restrictive of Buddhist majority • Communist opposition group called the Vietcong begins to operate against Diem’s administration – assassinate thousands of officials • Vietcong is aided by Ho Chi Minh – use a network of paths running through neighboring Laos and Cambodia – Ho Chi Minh Trail

6. “Hmong Secret War” • CIA begins recruiting and training groups of indigenous Laotian people (Hmong) to counter Ho Chi Minh Trail activity • Hmong soldiers were great asset- fighting on Ho Chi Minh Trail, rescuing downed pilots, defending radar sites • After U.S. would pull out of South Vietnam, Laos falls to Communist revolution • Hmong population becomes target of very harsh retaliation/persecution – leads to mass exodus of refugees • Largest Hmong-American population is in St. Paul (MN ranks second behind California as destination for Hmong migrants

7. Diem falls • Kennedy sends more money and military advisors but it’s not enough • Diem fails to bring about land reform • Also continues to crack down on Buddhists, imprisoning and killing hundreds and destroying temples • Several Buddhist monks and nuns publicly burn themselves in protest • In November of 1963, (against Kennedy’s wishes) US-supported military coup overthrow’s Diem’s regime and he is assassinated just weeks before Kennedy himself

8. Johnson escalates • Kennedy had announced an intent to withdraw from Vietnam, Johnson doesn’t share his wishes. • Unwilling to let the disorganized South fall to Communism • Tonkin Gulf Resolution – in response to incident of American destroyers being attacked off coast of North Vietnam (Gulf of Tonkin), Johnson asked Congress to allow escalation –Gulf of Tonkin Resolution • Feb. ‘65 – Operation Rolling Thunder – sustained bombing in N.Vietnam • By June, 50,000 soldiers on the ground fighting war

9. Escalation 2 • Johnson initially opposed heavy ground involvement – encouraged to do so by Sec. of Defense Robert McNamara and Sec. of State Dean Rusk – by the end of 1965, 180,000 American troops in country • William Westmoreland – American Commander in Vietnam – asked for more soldiers – by 1967, more than 500,000 • Congress had passed Gulf of Tonkin Resolution – supported LBJ’s wishes • 61% public support for escalation as well

10. Comparing Sides Americans Vietcong • Huge technological/firepower advantage • Helicopters very tactically important • Intended to fight war of attrition – gradually wear down the enemy • WHAM – Napalm, Agent Orange, Search and Destroy missions undermine efforts • Guerilla tactics – hit/retreat • Repurposed American mines, used other traps • Use jungle to advantage • Elaborate tunnel system • Fighting to preserve existence/fighting at home