The Vietnam War. A. Background The French had made Vietnam a colony in the late 1800's. Ho Chi Minh led revolts in Vietnam as the leader of the Communist

The Vietnam The Vietnam WarWar

The Vietnam The Vietnam WarWarA. BackgroundA. Background

The French had made Vietnam a The French had made Vietnam a colony in the late 1800's. Ho Chi colony in the late 1800's. Ho Chi Minh led revolts in Vietnam as the Minh led revolts in Vietnam as the leader of the Communist Party. War leader of the Communist Party. War broke out when Communists asked broke out when Communists asked for freedom from the French after for freedom from the French after WWII. WWII.


Americans supported the French Americans supported the French with money to stop the with money to stop the domino domino theorytheory (spread of communism from (spread of communism from one country to another). In 1954, one country to another). In 1954, the French stronghold, Dien Bien the French stronghold, Dien Bien Phu, fell to the Vietnamese. Phu, fell to the Vietnamese.


Vietnam was divided into N & S by Vietnam was divided into N & S by the Geneva Accords. Ngo Dinh the Geneva Accords. Ngo Dinh Diem seized power in South and Diem seized power in South and angered many citizens. angered many citizens.

The Vietcong were The Vietcong were guerrillas guerrillas in S. Vietnam in S. Vietnam against Diem. against Diem. People in People in the countryside the countryside supported them. supported them.


Diem further lost support by Diem further lost support by cracking down on anyone and cracking down on anyone and anything that spoke out against his anything that spoke out against his leadership. leadership.


Two U.S. ships operating off the coast of N. Two U.S. ships operating off the coast of N. Vietnam were attacked and President Johnson Vietnam were attacked and President Johnson elevated the war and asked Congress for the elevated the war and asked Congress for the right to continue.right to continue.

The Tonkin Gulf Resolution gave the president of The Tonkin Gulf Resolution gave the president of the United States the right to take whatever the United States the right to take whatever means necessary to prevent further aggression.means necessary to prevent further aggression.

Basically, this document allowed the president to Basically, this document allowed the president to make war without declaring war.make war without declaring war.

The Vietnam The Vietnam WarWarB. American InvolvementB. American Involvement

1. Tactics-Bombing raids, search & 1. Tactics-Bombing raids, search & destroy destroy missions, & use of missions, & use of defoliants.defoliants.

US used napalm and agent orange to gain an advantage in the jungle

Our soldiers were constantly on the search for “Charlie”

The B-52 bomber


2. Results-Anti-war movement 2. Results-Anti-war movement was strong. was strong. Media fueled it with Media fueled it with pictures from the war.pictures from the war.


Kent State Shootings-May 4, Kent State Shootings-May 4, 19701970

4 Students were killed and 9 4 Students were killed and 9 others others wounded when the wounded when the Ohio National Guard Ohio National Guard fired on a fired on a crowd of protesters.crowd of protesters.

The Vietnam The Vietnam WarWarC. Changes in 1968C. Changes in 1968

1. Tet Offensive-January 1968-1. Tet Offensive-January 1968-Vietcong led surprise Vietcong led surprise attacks on major cities in attacks on major cities in Vietnam.Vietnam.

2. Robert McNamara-Secretary of 2. Robert McNamara-Secretary of Defense resigned because he could Defense resigned because he could no no longer longer support the war.support the war.

3. Johnson decides not to run 3. Johnson decides not to run again in 1968 after he again in 1968 after he loses so much support.loses so much support.

The Vietnam The Vietnam WarWarD. Withdrawal-Richard Nixon became D. Withdrawal-Richard Nixon became

president in president in 1968 and committed to 1968 and committed to getting out of Vietnam.getting out of Vietnam.

Nixon began withdrawal but still Nixon began withdrawal but still wanted North Vietnam to wanted North Vietnam to recognize the government of recognize the government of South Vietnam. South Vietnam.

In 1970, Nixon orders an invasion of In 1970, Nixon orders an invasion of Cambodia to Cambodia to cut off Vietcong and N. cut off Vietcong and N. Vietnamese supply Vietnamese supply lines. Created huge lines. Created huge protests in America that protests in America that led to violence. led to violence.

The Vietnam The Vietnam WarWarD. WithdrawalD. Withdrawal

January, 1973-U.S. & N. Vietnam signed a January, 1973-U.S. & N. Vietnam signed a cease-cease- fire after Henry Kissinger fire after Henry Kissinger negotiated with negotiated with N. Vietnam. N. Vietnam.

After the American withdrawal, N. Vietnam After the American withdrawal, N. Vietnam conquered the South and in April, conquered the South and in April, they they captured Saigon, reunifying the country captured Saigon, reunifying the country under Communist rule.under Communist rule.

The Vietnam The Vietnam WarWarE. ResultsE. Results

1. Vietnam Vets were not 1. Vietnam Vets were not considered heroes considered heroes and many suffered and many suffered delayed stress delayed stress syndrome. Over syndrome. Over 58,000 soldiers died in 58,000 soldiers died in Vietnam.Vietnam.

2. War Powers Act-1973-passed to 2. War Powers Act-1973-passed to limit war-limit war- making powers of the making powers of the president.president.

3. Vietnamese refugees poured into 3. Vietnamese refugees poured into America.America.

Documents

The Vietnam War. A. Background The French had made Vietnam a colony in the late 1800's. Ho Chi Minh led revolts in Vietnam as the leader of the Communist