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The United States and the War in Vietnam

The United States and the War in Vietnam. 1945-1975. Costs of the War. More than 58,000 Americans killed 1.5 to 2 Million Vietnamese killed Cost to the US more than $ 100 billion Cost to Vietnam in destruction, disruption, dislocation, disease, and more

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The United States and the War in Vietnam

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  1. The United States andthe War in Vietnam 1945-1975

  2. Costs of the War • More than 58,000 Americans killed • 1.5 to 2 Million Vietnamese killed • Cost to the US more than $ 100 billion • Cost to Vietnam in destruction, disruption, dislocation, disease, and more • 18 million gallons of toxic defoliants

  3. Main Question Why did the United States fight a war in Vietnam?

  4. Outline • My Answer • My Evidence • Truman • Eisenhower • Kennedy • Johnson • Nixon • Lessons worth Learning

  5. Why did the United States fight a war in Vietnam? Publicly Stated Reasons • “To help South Vietnam” • “To contain Communism” • “To preserve American credibility”

  6. Why did the United States fight a war in Vietnam? “Real” Reasons • To contain Communism • To preserve American credibility • Domestic Politics • Hubris

  7. Truman: 1945-1952From Colonialism to the Cold War • Viet Minh fight against Japan during WWII • Ho Chi Minh reaches out to the US • 1946 war between France and Viet Minh • 1950 US begins direct support of France • Recognizes French Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam as “free states” in Feb. 1950 • Economic and military aid • American military and intelligence “advisors”

  8. Truman: 1945-1952From Colonialism to the Cold War Why? • US need for French support in Europe • People’s Republic of China, Oct. 1949 • PRC and the Soviet Union recognize the “Democratic Republic of Vietnam” Jan. 1950 • The Korean War, begins June, 1950

  9. Eisenhower: 1953-1960From the French to Diem • From 1950-54, US pays for 80% of the war • Dien Bien Phu, March-May 1954 • 1954 Geneva Convention, April-July, 1954 • Divides Vietnam • Rise of Ngo Dinh Diem with US support • 1956 elections to unify Vietnam • Resistance to Diem grows steadily • 1960 National Liberation Front formed

  10. Eisenhower: 1953-1960From the French to Diem Why? • “The possible consequences of the loss are just incalculable to the Free World.” • “This war in Indochina would absorb our troops by divisions.” • Eisenhower a cautious former General

  11. Kennedy: 1961-63From 1000 to 16000 “Advisors” • Battle of Ap Bac, Jan. 1963 • Buddhist protests in South Vietnam, May-June 1963 • Diem killed in Coup, Nov. 1, 1963 • North Vietnamese soldiers enter South in large numbers (10,000 NVA with 170,000 VC)

  12. Kennedy: 1961-63From 1000 to 16000 “Advisors” Why? • To contain Communism • Domestic political pressure • Belief in American power

  13. Johnson: 1963-196816,000 “advisors” to 586,000 troops • Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, Aug. 1964 • Air strikes against North Vietnam • March 1965 first American combat units arrive in South Vietnam • By 1966, 180,000 American troops in SV • By 1968, 586,000

  14. Johnson: 1963-196816,000 “advisors” to 550,000 troops Why? • Surrounded by JFK’s advisors • Deaths of Americans in Vietnam • Communist containment • Domestic Political Pressure

  15. Johnson: 1963-196816,000 “advisors” to 586,000 troops • Tet Offensive in Jan, 1968 • Coordinated attack throughout South Vietnam • 84,000 PLAF soldiers involved • Heavy losses for PLAF, but psychological victory • Johnson drops out of Presidential race in March, 1968

  16. Nixon: 1969-1975the long road to “peace with honor” • “Vietnamization” • 1970 South Vietnamese forces with US support invade Cambodia • 1971 similar invasion of Laos • 1972 US Air Force heaviest bombing of NV

  17. Nixon: 1969-1975the long road to “peace with honor” • Nixon visits China, Feb. 1972 • Nixon visits Soviet Union, May 72 • “Détente” makes cold war concerns less pressing • 1973 a negotiated cease fire allows US troops to withdraw • 1974 North Vietnamese troops invade SV • Spring 1975 NV troops capture Saigon

  18. Nixon: 1969-1975The long road to “peace with honor” Why? • Domestic politics • The Nixon Doctrine • The Madman Theory

  19. Why did the United States not succeed militarily? • Should the US have targeted “hearts and minds”? • Should the US have invaded North Vietnam? • My conclusion: US did not have the support of most Vietnamese people.

  20. What I Learned • North Vietnam was an oppressive, undemocratic state. • 2 Million refugees from Vietnam after 1975

  21. What I learned • Be cautious when planning the lives of others. • Recognize the opportunity cost of war.

  22. Want to learn more?“Bibliographic Essay,” in America’s Lost War, by Charles Neu.Whitehousetapes.org

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