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Vietnam War: Conflict and Impact in Southeast Asia

Explore the turbulent history of the Vietnam War, from French colonization to American involvement, highlighting key events like the Tet Offensive and the My Lai Massacre. Understand the complex dynamics of the war through important figures such as Ho Chi Minh and General Westmoreland, as well as the controversial use of tactics like Napalm and Agent Orange. Delve into the consequences of the war, including the division of Vietnam and the lasting impact on both the region and American society. Reflect on the question of whether the war was truly worth the sacrifices made, with a deep dive into historical analysis and personal perspectives.

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Vietnam War: Conflict and Impact in Southeast Asia

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  1. Vietnam War

  2. Vietnam & France • France controlled Indochina • Peninsula of Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia • Colonialism • Ho Chi Minh • Rebelled against French rule • Embraced Communism

  3. US Involvement Under Eisenhower • Contain Communist expansion • Domino Theory • If Vietnam became Communist then its neighbors would follow • Diem Bien Phu • Vietminh defeat French forces • Result: Indochina gains independence

  4. Vietnam Divided

  5. Eisenhower Continued • South Vietnam controlled by Ngo Dinh Diem • Anticommunist with American support • Diem unpopular in South Vietnam • Catholic follower (majority was Buddhist) • Vietcong (National Liberation Front) • Supplied by N. Vietnam to weaken Diem’s control • Wanted to unite Vietnam under Communism

  6. US Involvement Under Kennedy • Sent Special Forces into S. Vietnam • “advise” the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) • Diem’s regime alienated S. Vietnamese citizens • America helps plot overthrow of Diem • Diem removed from power and later assassinated

  7. US Involvement Under Johnson • USS Maddox patrolled Gulf of Tonkin • Fired upon by N. Vietnamese boats • Maddox retaliates • Johnson orders airstrike • Asks Congress to use force to defend US troops • Gulf of Tonkin Resolution passed • Commit US troops to S. Vietnam • Fight war against N. Vietnam w/o asking Congress for declaration of war

  8. “Americanizing” the War • Operation Rolling Thunder • First sustained bombing campaign in N. Vietnam • General William Westmoreland • American commander of troops in Vietnam • Wanted to increase military presence to win the war

  9. Napalm • What is it? • Jellied gasoline dropped in large canisters • Exploded on impact & covered large areas in flames • Effects • Severe burns, choking, unconsciousness or death • Agent Orange: herbicide used to destroy plant life • Disrupt enemy’s food supply

  10. Effects of Napalm & Agent Orange

  11. The Vietcong & NVA • Ho Chi Minh • VC & NVA: tiger • US: elephant • “If the tiger stand still, the elephant will crush it. But if the tiger keeps moving and occasionally jumps on the elephant to take a bite out of it, the elephant will slowly bleed to death.” • VC & NVA • Traveled lightly • Wore clothes to blend in • Fought mostly at night • Used booby traps

  12. Tunnel System

  13. Do Now • At this point what is your opinion about the Vietnam War?

  14. The Tet Offensive • General Westmoreland addresses the nation • Vietcong has weakened • No longer can mount major attack • January 30, 1968: Tet Offensive begins • Tet: Vietnamese New Year • Attacked major cities & bases in S. Vietnam • US & S. Vietnamese eventually drove back VC

  15. The Tet Offensive

  16. Results of Tet Offensive • American public opinion negative • Felt betrayed by gov’t • Westmoreland resigns • Public sees this as punishment for handling Tet poorly • LBJ • Pursue peace rather than victory • Stuns nation: announces he will not run for president in 1968

  17. Vietnam Under Nixon • Vietnamization • American troops gradually pull out of Vietnam and S. Vietnam takes over the fighting • “peace with honor” • Nixon orders bombing of Ho Chi Minh Trail • Widened the war • Nixon announces US will invade Cambodia • US & ARVN troops invade • Results: stalemate & increased unpopularity in US

  18. My Lai Massacre • March 16, 1968 • Lt. William Calley • Orders troops to shoot civilians • Between 400-500 civilians killed • Originally covered up, but media starts leaking photos & info from the massacre • Calley is court-martialed • Sentenced to life then reduced to 3 ½ years

  19. My Lai Massacre

  20. The Pentagon Papers • New York Times leaks classified document of all US involvement in Vietnam • Truman through Johnson all lied to American public • Nixon tries blocking publication • New York Times v. US rules against Nixon • 1973: War Powers Act established • Restricts president’s powers to engage in foreign conflict

  21. The Pentagon Papers Truman Eisenhower Kennedy Johnson All of these men lied to America over Vietnam

  22. Vietnam Ends for America • January 1973: Paris Peace Accords • US, S. Vietnam, N. Vietnam & VC at Accords • Agree to ceasefire, US troop withdrawal & exchange of POWs • War ends for US & continues for Vietnam • N. Vietnam breaks ceasefire • Captures Saigon: official end to war • Vietnam united under Communism

  23. Summary • In the end was the Vietnam War worth fighting for? • Explain why or why not using specific events.

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