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Vietnam War Timeline: Key Events & Political Impacts

Explore the unrest in Asia, political division, resistance, and the ultimate conclusion of the Vietnam War. Discover significant events, policies, and public reactions shaping this pivotal era in American history.

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Vietnam War Timeline: Key Events & Political Impacts

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  1. The Vietnam War May 13, 2014 Note Packet K

  2. Unrest in Asia Timeline • Sept. 1945 • Ho Chi Minh (Communists) proclaims Democratic Republican of Vietnam

  3. Unrest in Asia Timeline • 1946 - 1949 • “Puppet leader” ineffective against Ho Chi Minh • Oct. 1949 • Mao Zedong recognizes the gov’t under Ho Chi Minh

  4. Unrest in Asia Timeline • 1950-1953 • US provides aid to French’s struggle in Vietnam • 1953 – 1954 • Eisenhower debates on how much aid, support to French

  5. Unrest in Asia Timeline • 1954 • Geneva Accords divide Vietnam @ 17th parallel • SEATO agrees to protect Vietnam • N & S Vietnam agree to hold elections, reunite the country

  6. Unrest in Asia Timeline • 1955 • Aid increased to Vietnam • 1956 • S Vietnam refuses to hold elections • 1960 • Vietcong (communist guerrillas) recognized as the National Liberation Front (NLF) of Vietnam

  7. Reasons for War • Prevent the spread of communism • Stop the rise of aggressor gov’ts • Protect the nation’s position as a superpower • Defend democracy

  8. Kennedy’s Policy Towards Vietnam • Supported the Diem regime in beginning • Increased American military advisors to Vietnam • US didn’t object South Vietnam’s coup against Diem • Intended to withdraw US from Vietnam

  9. Johnson’s Policy Towards Vietnam • Viet Cong & National Liberation Front • Henry Cabot Lodge – US ambassador to Vietnam • Gulf of Tonkin Resolution • US destroyers attacked by N Vietnam • President can take all necessary measuresto repel any attack against US forces • Justified expansion of war • By 1965 President had control, no official declaration of war • http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/gulf-of-tonkin-resolution/videos/lbj-gulf-of-tonkin-incident

  10. Fighting the War • Guerrilla Warfare • Enemy did not wear uniforms • Fought in the jungles of Southeast Asia • No clear battlefield • Land mines • http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/gulf-of-tonkin-resolution/videos/vietnam-war-tactics?m=528e394da93ae&s=undefined&f=1&free=false

  11. The Air War • Introduction of B-52s • Saturation bombing • Fragmentation bombs • Agent Organge – herbicide as chemical weapon • Napalm – jelly substance causing burns

  12. Course of the War 1965 - 1968 • Military escalation • Ho Chi Minh Trail • The Tet Offensive – Viet Cong & N Vietnam launch major offensive • Viet Cong capable of massive attacks • US citizens becoming discouraged • My Lai Massacre

  13. Political Division & Resistance to the War • Hawks & Doves • Congress members divided on War • Hawks – win at any cost • Doves – immediate withdrawal

  14. Political Division & Resistance to the War • Student Protests • University of Calif @ Berkeley • Students for Democratic Society • Anti-establishment • The Free Speech Movement • The Teach-In Movement • Special sessions held by professors

  15. Political Division & Resistance to the War • Protest Marches • Washington DC • NYC • Pentagon

  16. Political Division & Resistance to the War • Draft Resisters • Fled to Canada • Sought deferments to go to college • Large number of minorities went to war • American youth hostile towards Johnson’s policies

  17. Political Division & Resistance to the War • Election of 1968 • Anti-war democrats running against Johnson (Robert Kennedy) • Johnson decides not to run  unpopular • Democratic Convention chose pro-war candidate • Rallies  riots • Republican candidate Nixon wins

  18. The End of the Vietnam War • Nation’s most costly war • Support at an all time low • Nixon widened military activities

  19. The End of the Vietnam War • Vietnamization • Takeover of the ground fighting • Bombing Cambodia • Protest at Kent State Univ. • Support at an all time low

  20. The End of the Vietnam War • Peace with Honor • Peace talks deadlocked • 1973 “peace with honor” & cease-fire would take place soon

  21. The End of the Vietnam War • The War Powers Act of 1973 • Passed by Congress overriding Nixon’s veto • Reverse Gulf Tonkin Resolution • President had to notify Congress within 48 hrs of sending troops to foreign country • President had to bring troops home within 60 days unless congress voting them to stay • Gave Congress more power in dealing with international conflicts

  22. The End of the Vietnam War • End of the Vietnam War • US withdrew, while N Vietnam overran S Vietnam • Saigon gov’t collapses • US aid finally ceases • Domino Theory becomes reality

  23. The End of the Vietnam War • Conclusion on Vietnam War • US politics acted in response to variety of public pressures • US foreign policy supported view of US being involved in foreign affairs • US questioned its role as world police officer

  24. The End of the Vietnam War • Conclusion on Vietnam War • Expansion of presidential powers during war time may not always be the best choice • Limited after war • 26th amendment passed • Voting age lowered to 18(18 yr olds fighting should have a say)

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