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Vietnam War: “ Americanizing the War ”

Vietnam War: “ Americanizing the War ”. Focus Question: What were the causes and effects of America ’ s growing involvement in the Vietnam War?. American Strategies-1965. Increase military presence in Vietnam and increase the fighting “ Americanize the War ”. General William Westmoreland.

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Vietnam War: “ Americanizing the War ”

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  1. Vietnam War: “Americanizing the War” Focus Question: What were the causes and effects of America’s growing involvement in the Vietnam War?

  2. American Strategies-1965 Increase military presence in Vietnam and increase the fighting “Americanize the War” General William Westmoreland

  3. “Americanizing” the War Between 1965-1973 6 million tons of bombs on the enemy (3x more than WWII)

  4. American Strategy In addition to conventional weapons the U.S. will utilize chemical warfare: • Napalm • Agent Orange

  5. American Strategy In addition to airstrikes: American troops landed in Vietnam March 8, 1965 • Guarded bases- • ex. Da Nang • Search and destroy to kill enemy guerillas-VC

  6. Vietcong Doctrine: A Determined Enemy Supplied with weapons, food, and fighters along the Ho Chi Minh Trail Ho Chi Minh compared his troops to a tiger Traveled light carrying a Rifle and some rice Dug tunnels during the day Attacked at night **Wear down the enemy**

  7. American Results Did: • disrupt industry and slow supplies, but not enough to divide Vietminh & Vietcong Did Not: • Cause the North Vietnamese to surrender or lose morale

  8. The war escalates By 1968: escalation of troops 500,000 soldiers 30,000 deaths America’s Mission: to help South Vietnam build a stable government and win the hearts and minds of its citizens However, many Americans question who is our enemy?

  9. Defeating the Enemy Vietcong and NVA avoided significant engagements • Fought smaller battles • Small unit abilities • Had knowledge of the land

  10. Battlefield Conditions Neutral Cover Enemy clad in black pajamas Fighting at night Not knowing your enemy

  11. Women in War • About 10,000 women served • Mostly as nurses

  12. Morale Declines By 1965 most soldiers had been drafted

  13. Effect on the Economy Enormous cost of fighting the war Government: • Raised taxes • Cut back on Great Society programs

  14. Anti-War Movement Begins After Tonkin Gulf—Congress split on escalation of war by 1967 Hawks: • mostly conservative • Believed in containment policy • Accepted rising troop rates, rising costs and rising battlefield deaths • Crucial front in the Cold War

  15. Anti-War Movement Begins Doves: • Liberal politicians, pacifists, student radicals, civil rights leaders • Questioned the war on moral and strategic grounds • Was a localized civil war • William Fulbright began hearings in 1967-68 to investigate conflict- National Civil War or Cold War conflict?

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