My Lai: An Investigation

Aim: To interpret and evaluate the sources on My Lai

My Lai

• In March 1968, an event happened in My Lai

• The story would not come out until November 1969

• The Tet Offensive had already put the US on the defensive with the public

• When this story leaks out, it will further damage US reputation around the world! Remember him? He was involved in

the cover-up!

Johnson needs the info!

• Johnson is starting to feel the pressure

• You will need to compile a report on what has happened

• Use the evidence collected to come to a conclusion

• Will this further damage his reputation?

Information about the war• Initially support for the War• US Army created Military

Assistance Command: Vietnam (MACV) which liaised with journalists

• Between 1964-68, only 3 journalists banned from MACV

• Newspapers worried about negative stories – might undermine war effort

• TV stations worried about showing negative images – people might switch channels!

Change in reporting

• Attitudes changed in 1967-68 and tone of reports altered

• Tet Offensive broadcasted to the nation

• Vietcong suspects executed in reports

• Walter Cronkite denounces the war

Information Stations

• How did the war change attitudes in America?

• How were protests organised?

• Information will be provided – answer the questions at the bottom

How did people protest?

What form of protest would have been the most effective?

Listen to this song – Who is investigating the protests? How effective are they?

• Next lesson we move onto revision!

• How important was Lyndon’s Johnson’s role in Vietnam

• Create a short profile highlighting his successes and failures in Vietnam

• How should history remember Johnson?

Extension Task

What’s his legacy?

Homework: The end of the War• Nixon realised that the war

could not be won and was swept into office on a ‘peace ticket’.

• He pursued a policy of Vietnamisation.

• Answer the following questions:

1) What was Vietnamisation?2) Did it work? Explain your

answer.3) What is the message of this

cartoon?