The Vietnam War

1965 - 1973

I. Background:

• 1955 – Cold War– Geneva Peace Talks

• Vietnam divided @ 17th parallel

• North – communist – Ho Chi Minh

• South – U.S. supported – Ngo Diem

II. U.S. Involvement• Keep S. Vietnam non-Communist• Prevent Domino Theory – if Vietnam fell to

communists – others follow• Diem corrupt, suppressed opposition & Buddhism• 1960 – in S. Vietnam opposition forms against Diem

• NLF – National Liberation • Front (a.k.a. Vietcong)• Supplied w/arms along Ho Chi

Minh Trail• 1963 US coup kills Diem

• U.S. takes control of S.Vietnam (JFK)

U.S Involvement

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KBPgqSgku0

III. The Tonkin Gulf Resolution• USS Maddox fired on by N.

Viet. patrol boat• Torpedoes allegedly fired

again 2 days later• LBJ asks for special military

measures• Resolution was not a

declaration of war, but gave LBJ broad military power

• 1965 Combat troops arrive in Vietnam

• Poll showed 61% of people supported troops going-purpose of containment

IV. The Fog of War• Civilians are

difficult to separate from the Vietcong-there are many civilian casualties

• Jungle warfare & ambush• Elaborate tunnels means of transportation

War of Attrition• Wear down enemy

by continuous harassment

• Vietcong received supplies from China & USSR

• Military battle vs. Battle for existence

A. U. S. troops use Agent Orange

B. U.S. troops burn villages with napalm

C. Search & Destroy missions

Sinking Morale• What problems did

the U.S face in Vietnam?

• Why could they not defeat the enemy?

Credibility gap• Accounts of the

progress of the war differ, the govt. says the U.S. is winning, the media shows soldiers coming home in body bags

• Protest movement emerges

Tet Offensive http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=sL7N-aCtlLo

Election of 1968 U.S. suffers major strategic

losses: Tet Offensive (1968) Turning point in public

opinion The Democrats are split

between war vs. anti war candidates

Violent anti war protests further damage the party

RFK shot in CA in June 1968

Nixon Triumphs

V. War Ends• Nixon-Vietnamization-

gradual withdrawal of troops

• U.S. Pulls out (1969 – 1973)

• “Peace With Honor” – Nixon

• Invades Cambodia-massive student protest

• 4 students killed at Kent State

• 1973- Peace US Troops leave

• Cease fire fails 1975 Saigon falls

Evacuation of the U.S. Embassy 4/30/75

Fall of Saigon http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=IdR2Iktffaw

Vietnam War Memorial

Washington, D.C.