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AMERICA AMERICA in the in the ’50s’50s
Provided college for returning Provided college for returning World War II veterans World War II veterans (commonly referred to as GIs)(commonly referred to as GIs)
THE G.I. BILLTHE G.I. BILL
Millions of GIs bought homes, Millions of GIs bought homes, attended college, started attended college, started
business venture, or found jobsbusiness venture, or found jobs
Provided one year of Provided one year of unemployment compensationunemployment compensation
THE G.I. THE G.I. BILLBILL
VA Mortgages paid VA Mortgages paid for nearly 5 million for nearly 5 million
new homes, by new homes, by making homes making homes
affordable with low affordable with low interest rates and 30 interest rates and 30
year loans. year loans.
Between 1945 and 1954, the Between 1945 and 1954, the U.S. added 13 million new U.S. added 13 million new homes to its housing stockhomes to its housing stock
President Franklin Roosevelt signs the GI Bill in 1944President Franklin Roosevelt signs the GI Bill in 1944
Truman and Civil Truman and Civil RightsRightsOne of the major acts HarryOne of the major acts Harry
Truman made as president Truman made as president was in when 1948 Truman was in when 1948 Truman
made an executive ordermade an executive order to end segregation into end segregation in
the armed forcesthe armed forces
Truman also asked Truman also asked Congress to pass a civil Congress to pass a civil
rights bill that would make rights bill that would make lynching a federal crimelynching a federal crime
ELECTION of ELECTION of 19481948
Thomas Dewey
Harry S Truman Strom Thurmond
Many people didn’t think Many people didn’t think he would be re-electedhe would be re-elected
Truman angered many Truman angered many Southern Democrats by Southern Democrats by supporting segregationsupporting segregation
People were so sure that People were so sure that Truman would lose that one Truman would lose that one headline even incorrectly said headline even incorrectly said that Dewey had wonthat Dewey had won
Historians view the Election of Historians view the Election of 1948 as the greatest election 1948 as the greatest election upset in American historyupset in American history
Southern Democrats leave national party in Southern Democrats leave national party in response to Truman's support for Civil Rightsresponse to Truman's support for Civil Rights
Strom Thurmond – South Carolina Senator, Strom Thurmond – South Carolina Senator, runs for president as a Dixicratruns for president as a Dixicrat
Dixicrats were Southern Democrats who backed Dixicrats were Southern Democrats who backed racial segregation and limiting the voting rights racial segregation and limiting the voting rights of African Americans. The party was also known of African Americans. The party was also known as the States Rights Party. as the States Rights Party.
Thomas Dewey, New York’s Governor, runs for Thomas Dewey, New York’s Governor, runs for the Republicansthe Republicans
Truman appeared to lose – but appeals directly toTruman appeared to lose – but appeals directly to the people, citing the “Do-nothing Republican the people, citing the “Do-nothing Republican Congress” and wins the ElectionCongress” and wins the Election
ELECTION ELECTION ofof 19481948
Truman’s “Fair Truman’s “Fair Deal”Deal”Truman said that all Truman said that all
Americans had the right Americans had the right to expect a “fair deal” to expect a “fair deal” from the governmentfrom the government
What did the Fair Deal do?It increased the minimum wageIt increased the minimum wage
Expansion of Social Security benefitsExpansion of Social Security benefitsNational Housing Act was passed to provide funding to National Housing Act was passed to provide funding to
build low-income housingbuild low-income housing
“The buck stops here.”
-- Harry Truman Harry Truman
The Taft-Hartley The Taft-Hartley ActActThe federal law that The federal law that
greatly restricting the greatly restricting the activities and power activities and power
of labor unionsof labor unions
Closed shops illegal (Businesses could Closed shops illegal (Businesses could hire non-union workers)hire non-union workers)
Union shop only after a vote of a Union shop only after a vote of a majority of the employees. majority of the employees.
No more jurisdictional strikes and No more jurisdictional strikes and secondary boycotts. secondary boycotts.
Employers have right to be exempted Employers have right to be exempted from bargaining with unionsfrom bargaining with unions
The Taft-The Taft-Hartley Hartley
ActAct
Labor unions Labor unions hated hated the Taft-the Taft-
Hartley ActHartley Act
Interstate Highways Interstate Highways BuiltBuiltThe Federal Highway The Federal Highway
Act was passed in 1956Act was passed in 1956
This was the largest This was the largest public works program in public works program in American history. American history.
Law called for the building Law called for the building of 40,000 miles of interstate of 40,000 miles of interstate
Interstate roads in DFW are Interstate roads in DFW are I-20, I-30, I-35 and I-45I-20, I-30, I-35 and I-45
Suburbia in Suburbia in AmericaAmericaDuring the ’50s, many During the ’50s, many
people began to move people began to move into the suburbs. into the suburbs.
Suburbs are Suburbs are places outside places outside the city where the city where many white-many white-
collar workers collar workers livelive
The New York The New York suburb of suburb of
Levittown was the Levittown was the first modern first modern
suburbsuburb
Suburbs = The American Suburbs = The American DreamDream Affordable Affordable
single-family single-family housinghousing
Good schoolsGood schools
Friendly Friendly neighbors like neighbors like themselvesthemselves
13 13 million million homes homes built in built in
the the 1950s – 1950s –
85% 85% were were
suburbansuburban
New highways, affordable automobiles, low gasoline prices
A safe, healthy A safe, healthy environment environment for childrenfor children
TheThe BabyBaby BoomBoom
From 1945 -61 more than From 1945 -61 more than 65 million children were 65 million children were
bornborn
Contributing factors:Contributing factors:The end of wars led to more The end of wars led to more
young couples getting married young couples getting married
G.I. Bill encouraged growth of G.I. Bill encouraged growth of families by offering generous families by offering generous benefits for home purchasesbenefits for home purchases
This period became known This period became known as the Baby Boomas the Baby Boom
The American birthrate The American birthrate exploded after World War exploded after World War
II. II.
Pop culture glorified pregnancy, Pop culture glorified pregnancy, parenthood and large familiesparenthood and large families
Technological BreakthroughsTechnological Breakthroughs
Jonas Salk and polio vaccineJonas Salk and polio vaccineMedical advances of the 1950s: Medical advances of the 1950s: •antibiotics to fight antibiotics to fight infectionsinfections•new drugs to fight new drugs to fight cancer, diabetes and cancer, diabetes and heart diseaseheart disease• polio vaccine polio vaccine developeddevelopedJonas Salk Jonas Salk
developed the developed the vaccine that vaccine that
prevented polio. prevented polio. Not long after, the Not long after, the
threat of polio threat of polio would almost would almost
completely completely disappeardisappear
Birth of televisionBirth of television
Shows like Shows like I I Love Lucy Love Lucy andand The The
HoneymooneHoneymooners rs were the were the
most most popular TV popular TV
shows of the shows of the ’50s’50s
By 1957, there were about By 1957, there were about 40 million television sets in 40 million television sets in
use and TV became an use and TV became an important source of important source of
informationinformation
Pop Culture of the Pop Culture of the 1950s1950sFather Father Knows BestKnows Best1954-19581954-1958
The Ozzie The Ozzie and Harriet and Harriet
ShowShow1952-19661952-1966
Leave it to Leave it to BeaverBeaver
1957-19631957-1963
HollywoodHollywood: apex of the biblical : apex of the biblical epics.epics.
It’s un-American to be un-religiousIt’s un-American to be un-religious!! -- -- The Christian CenturyThe Christian Century, 1954, 1954
The Robe The Ten CommandmentsThe Robe The Ten Commandments Ben Hur Ben Hur
1953 1956 1953 1956 1959 1959
Pop Culture of the Pop Culture of the 1950s1950s
First First McDonald’s McDonald’s
(1955)(1955)
America became a more America became a more homogeneous nation homogeneous nation
because of the because of the automobileautomobile..
Drive-In MoviesDrive-In Movies
Holiday InnHoliday Inn
The Automobile The Automobile CultureCulture
Birth of Rock ’n RollIn the 1950s, many teenagers In the 1950s, many teenagers
rebelled against the middle-rebelled against the middle-class suburban values, class suburban values,
particularly conformity and particularly conformity and wanted to be unique. wanted to be unique. It was during this period that many It was during this period that many
youths turned to new and youths turned to new and unconventional styles of musicunconventional styles of music
Soon white artists began making Soon white artists began making music that was based on African music that was based on African American rhythm and bluesAmerican rhythm and blues
This form of music became known This form of music became known as rock ‘n’ roll and it became wildly as rock ‘n’ roll and it became wildly popular with the nation’s teenagerspopular with the nation’s teenagers
Elvis Elvis PresleyPresley
The King of Rock ’n The King of Rock ’n RollRoll
Presley’s extraordinary Presley’s extraordinary popularity established popularity established
rock ’n’ roll as an rock ’n’ roll as an unprecedented mass-unprecedented mass-market phenomenonmarket phenomenonHis reputation as a His reputation as a
performer endured up to performer endured up to his death in 1977 at the his death in 1977 at the
age of 42.age of 42.Graceland, his Graceland, his home in home in Memphis, is now Memphis, is now a public museum a public museum visited by visited by upwards of upwards of 600,000 people 600,000 people annually. annually.
The Generation GapThe Generation GapMany parents viewed rock ’n’ roll as Many parents viewed rock ’n’ roll as
loud and dangerous.loud and dangerous.
The music was banned in some The music was banned in some communities.communities.
The music united teens in their own The music united teens in their own world and helped to create what world and helped to create what
became known as the generation gap.became known as the generation gap.
The generation gap was the cultural The generation gap was the cultural separation between children and their separation between children and their
parents.parents.
The Beat GenerationThe Beat Generation
The major The major works of Beat works of Beat
writing are writing are Allen Allen
Ginsberg's Ginsberg's HowlHowl, William , William S. Burroughs's S. Burroughs's Naked Lunch Naked Lunch
and Jack and Jack Kerouac's Kerouac's On On
the Road the Road
Members of the Beat Generation Members of the Beat Generation were referred to as “beatniks” and were referred to as “beatniks” and
set the stage for the rise of the set the stage for the rise of the counter-culture and hippies during counter-culture and hippies during
the 1960sthe 1960s
The Beat Generation was the The Beat Generation was the cultural movement of the 1950s cultural movement of the 1950s
when young people – often writers when young people – often writers – ditched society’s normal – ditched society’s normal standards for new ways of standards for new ways of
thinkingthinking
Juvenile DelinquencyJuvenile DelinquencyAnother problem facing the Another problem facing the
nation was juvenile delinquency, nation was juvenile delinquency, which was antisocial or criminal which was antisocial or criminal
behavior by teenagersbehavior by teenagers
Juvenile crime rose 45% between 1948 Juvenile crime rose 45% between 1948 and 1953. Car thefts by juveniles and 1953. Car thefts by juveniles
increased and more teenagers joined increased and more teenagers joined street gangsstreet gangsMany attributed this rise in teenage Many attributed this rise in teenage
rebellion to movies such as “Rebel rebellion to movies such as “Rebel Without a Cause” and books like J.D. Without a Cause” and books like J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye”Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye”
Pop Culture of the Pop Culture of the 50s50s
The Lone RangerThe Lone Ranger
TopTopTVTV
ShowsShows
The HoneymoonersThe Honeymooners Father Knows BestFather Knows Best
Pop Culture of the Pop Culture of the 50s50s
Top inTop inMoviesMovies
Coming Up:The 1960s
THE TURBULENT THE TURBULENT ’60s’60s
The Election of The Election of 19601960
TV played a vital TV played a vital part in the part in the
electionelection
Democrats nominated Democrats nominated John F. Kennedy while John F. Kennedy while
the Republicans the Republicans nominated vice-nominated vice-
president Richard M. president Richard M. NixonNixon
For the first time, For the first time, the nation got to the nation got to see candidates as see candidates as they campaignedthey campaigned
The Election of The Election of 19601960
Kennedy beats Kennedy beats NixonNixon
““Ask Ask notnot what your country can what your country can do for you, ask what you can do do for you, ask what you can do
for your country.”for your country.”-- John F. Kennedy
Inauguration Speech, 1961
In one of the closest presidential In one of the closest presidential elections in U.S. history, elections in U.S. history, Kennedy defeated NixonKennedy defeated Nixon
““Let the word go forth from this time and place, to Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a the torch has been passed to a
new generationnew generation of Americans.” of Americans.”-- John F. Kennedy, Inauguration Speech, 1961
In his inauguration speech, Kennedy inspired people with his In his inauguration speech, Kennedy inspired people with his optimism, his youthfulness and his ability to handle the media. optimism, his youthfulness and his ability to handle the media.
CamelCamelotot
JFK was a very popular president JFK was a very popular president with the American people. with the American people.
His youthful energy, His youthful energy, looks, glamorous wife looks, glamorous wife Jacqueline, and their Jacqueline, and their young children led to young children led to
constant coverage by the constant coverage by the media.media.
People often refer to Kennedy’s People often refer to Kennedy’s presidency as “Camelot” because of the presidency as “Camelot” because of the
potential and promise for the future, potential and promise for the future, and the period was symbolic of hopeand the period was symbolic of hope
The Kennedy White The Kennedy White HouseHouseJFK’s closest JFK’s closest
confidant was his confidant was his brother Bobbybrother Bobby
RFK was appointed RFK was appointed to the important to the important
position of Attorney position of Attorney GeneralGeneral
The New FrontierThe New FrontierJFK’s JFK’s
domestic domestic programs programs became became
known as the known as the New New
Frontier.Frontier. Main goals of the New Main goals of the New Frontier:Frontier:
Increase federal aid to Increase federal aid to educationeducation
Provide health insurance to Provide health insurance to the elderlythe elderly
Create a Department of Urban Create a Department of Urban Affairs to deal with problems in Affairs to deal with problems in
the inner citiesthe inner cities Create an organization of Create an organization of
volunteers to help fight poverty volunteers to help fight poverty in other countriesin other countries
One of Kennedy’s first One of Kennedy’s first presidential acts was creating presidential acts was creating
the Peace Corpsthe Peace Corps
The main purpose of the The main purpose of the Peace Corps was to fight Peace Corps was to fight poverty is less developed poverty is less developed
countries.countries.
Americans volunteered to Americans volunteered to help underdeveloped help underdeveloped
nations in areas such as nations in areas such as education, farming, health education, farming, health
care and construction care and construction
Peace CorpsPeace Corps
The Warren CourtThe Warren CourtDwight D. Eisenhower Dwight D. Eisenhower
nominated Earl Warren to nominated Earl Warren to be Chief Justice of the be Chief Justice of the United States Supreme United States Supreme
CourCourtt
Many thought Warren would Many thought Warren would be a conservative, but he be a conservative, but he
was notwas notThe Warren Court was an The Warren Court was an active one that made active one that made numerous key rulingsnumerous key rulings
Key Supreme Court Key Supreme Court rulingsrulingsReynolds v. Sims: Reynolds v. Sims: Voting Voting
districts in many states districts in many states were unequal. The case were unequal. The case
ruled that voting districts ruled that voting districts had to be equal in size. had to be equal in size.
Established the principle Established the principle of “one man, one vote.”of “one man, one vote.”
Gideon v. Gideon v. Wainwright: Wainwright:
Defendant in a Defendant in a state court had state court had the right to a the right to a
lawyer, lawyer, regardless of his regardless of his
ability to payability to pay
Engel v. Vitale: Engel v. Vitale: Court Court ruled that government-ruled that government-funded schools could funded schools could not require prayer in not require prayer in
public schoolspublic schools
Miranda v. ArizonaMiranda v. ArizonaErnesto Miranda was Ernesto Miranda was
arrested for raping an 18 arrested for raping an 18 year old. He later year old. He later
confessed to robbery and confessed to robbery and attempted rape under attempted rape under
interrogation by policeinterrogation by policeMiranda had Miranda had
confessed confessed without without
knowing that knowing that he had the he had the
right to remain right to remain silent (5silent (5thth
Amendment)Amendment)
Supreme Court ruled Supreme Court ruled that his constitutional that his constitutional rights were violated rights were violated by the police who by the police who interrogated himinterrogated him
Key events of JFK presidencyKey events of JFK presidency•The New Frontier programThe New Frontier program
• Establishment of the Peace Establishment of the Peace CorpsCorps
• Bay of Pigs invasionBay of Pigs invasion• Cuban Missile CrisisCuban Missile Crisis
• Rulings of the Warren CourtRulings of the Warren Court• Vision of putting a man on the Vision of putting a man on the
moonmoon• Assassination in Dallas Assassination in Dallas
Assassination in Assassination in DallasDallasOn Nov. 22, 1963, On Nov. 22, 1963,
Kennedy and his wife Kennedy and his wife traveled to Dallas to make traveled to Dallas to make some political appearancessome political appearances
As the motorcade rode As the motorcade rode through downtown Dallas, through downtown Dallas, JFK was shot in the heaJFK was shot in the headd
Lee Harvey Lee Harvey Oswald was the Oswald was the man who was man who was
accused of accused of shooting Kennedyshooting Kennedy
Conspiracy TheoryConspiracy Theory
The Warren The Warren CommissionCommissioninvestigated investigated
his his assassinatioassassinatio
n, but n, but concluded concluded
that Oswald that Oswald acted aloneacted alone
Oswald shot Oswald shot Kennedy Kennedy from the from the
Sixth Floor Sixth Floor of the Texas of the Texas School Book School Book Depository Depository
BuildingBuildingMany people Many people believe there believe there was a second was a second shooter on a shooter on a
grassy knoll in grassy knoll in front of the JFK front of the JFK
limousine limousine
LBJ becomes LBJ becomes PresidentPresidentHours after Hours after
JFK’s JFK’s assassination, assassination, vice-president vice-president
Lyndon Johnson Lyndon Johnson of Texas was of Texas was sworn in as sworn in as presidentpresidentBiggest issues facing LBJ as president:Biggest issues facing LBJ as president:
The Civil Rights MovementThe Civil Rights MovementThe growing poverty in AmericaThe growing poverty in America
The conflict in VietnamThe conflict in Vietnam
The War on PovertyThe War on Poverty
“America needs to build a ‘Great Society.’ I am declaring a war on poverty.”
-- Lyndon B. JohnsonUniversity of Michigan, 1964
In his book In his book The Other AmericaThe Other America, , Michael Harrington showed Michael Harrington showed
that many Americans lived in that many Americans lived in poverty in the United States. poverty in the United States.
The book influenced the thinking The book influenced the thinking of both John F. Kennedy and his of both John F. Kennedy and his
successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, as successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, as they both made the elimination of they both made the elimination of
poverty a major goal.poverty a major goal.
LBJ’s Great SocietyLBJ’s Great SocietyOnce Johnson was Once Johnson was elected in 1964, he elected in 1964, he began working on began working on
his plan for his plan for domestic programs domestic programs to help the United to help the United States. He called States. He called his program the his program the Great Society.Great Society.
Although there were many, the key Although there were many, the key programs of the Great Society were programs of the Great Society were
Medicare, Medicaid, Head Start, Medicare, Medicaid, Head Start, and HUD.and HUD.
In the 60s, thousands of In the 60s, thousands of teenagers became part teenagers became part of the “counterculture.” of the “counterculture.” These “hippies” rebelled These “hippies” rebelled against the traditional against the traditional American culture.American culture.
Hippies believed in Hippies believed in a world free of war a world free of war
and hate and full of and hate and full of peace and lovepeace and love
The hippie look The hippie look was long hair, was long hair, tie-dyed shirts, tie-dyed shirts, and use of drugsand use of drugslike marijuana, like marijuana, LSD and heroinLSD and heroin
Famous music groups of Famous music groups of the Hippie Movementthe Hippie Movement
The The BeatlesBeatles
Jimi Jimi HendrixHendrix
Bob Bob DylanDylan
Jim Morrison and the Jim Morrison and the DoorsDoors
Music played Music played a large part a large part
of the Hippie of the Hippie MovementMovement
Jefferson AirplaneJefferson Airplane
WWooooddssttoocckkMusic festival held in upstateMusic festival held in upstateNew York in 1969 that exemplified New York in 1969 that exemplified the counterculture of the 1960sthe counterculture of the 1960s
Thirty-two of the best-known musicians Thirty-two of the best-known musicians of the day performed in front of nearly of the day performed in front of nearly half a million concert-goershalf a million concert-goers
Woodstock is Woodstock is regarded as one regarded as one of the greatest of the greatest
moments in pop moments in pop music history music history
Martin Martin Luther Luther King King shot in shot in April of April of 19681968
Robert Robert F. F.
KennedKennedy shot y shot
in June in June of 1968of 1968
Tet Tet OffensiveOffensiveshowed showed U.S. was U.S. was not not winning winning the the Vietnam Vietnam WarWar
Riots Riots occurred at occurred at
the the Democratic Democratic
National National Convention Convention in August of in August of
19681968
Coming Up:
TThhee VViieettnnaam m
WWaarr
TTHHE E VVIIEETTNNAAMM W WAARR
Key figures in the Vietnam WarKey figures in the Vietnam War
Ho Chi MinhHo Chi Minh William William Westmoreland Westmoreland
Lyndon B. Lyndon B. JohnsonJohnson
American commander in South Vietnam who told people in the media that the United States was close to winning the war, even though it wasn’t
American commander American commander in Vietnam who told in Vietnam who told American people that American people that
we were close to we were close to winning the war, even winning the war, even
though we weren’tthough we weren’t
President of North President of North Vietnam who led Vietnam who led
the efforts to defeat the efforts to defeat South Vietnam, South Vietnam,
hero to most hero to most VietnameseVietnamese
President during President during much of Vietnam much of Vietnam
War; greatly War; greatly escalated the U.S. escalated the U.S.
soldier involvement soldier involvement in the conflict in the conflict
Key figures in the Key figures in the Vietnam WarVietnam War
Robert Robert McNamaraMcNamara
Richard NixonRichard Nixon Ngo Dinh Ngo Dinh DiemDiemU.S. Secretary of U.S. Secretary of
Defense during the Defense during the Vietnam War who Vietnam War who
made the American made the American public feel like we public feel like we
were winning the war were winning the war
President of South President of South Vietnam who whose Vietnam who whose
corruption and corruption and harsh standards led harsh standards led numerous people to numerous people to turn to the Vietcong turn to the Vietcong
President of the President of the United States United States
during the latter during the latter part of the part of the
Vietnam WarVietnam War
Vietnam in the ’50sVietnam in the ’50s
Southeast Asia (aka: French Indochina)Southeast Asia (aka: French Indochina)
Following World War II, the Following World War II, the French controlled southeast French controlled southeast Asia (known as Indochina)Asia (known as Indochina)
Ho Chi Minh led a revolt Ho Chi Minh led a revolt against the French to gain against the French to gain independence for Vietnamindependence for Vietnam
By 1954, the French fell to the By 1954, the French fell to the Vietminh and they withdrew Vietminh and they withdrew from Indochina, leaving from Indochina, leaving Vietnam a divided countryVietnam a divided country
Domino TheoryDomino Theory
The Domino Theory was the belief that if The Domino Theory was the belief that if one country fell to communism, the other one country fell to communism, the other Southeast Asian nations would eventually Southeast Asian nations would eventually
fall to communism as wellfall to communism as well
This map from an American magazine published 14th November 1950 shows how much they feared the spread of Communism in the Far East.
South Vietnam South Vietnam problemsproblems
A Buddhist monk commits suicide in protest to the A Buddhist monk commits suicide in protest to the harsh policies of the S. Vietnamese governmentharsh policies of the S. Vietnamese government
The people of South Vietnam hated The people of South Vietnam hated South Vietnamese president Ngo Dinh South Vietnamese president Ngo Dinh
Diem. He was corrupt and did not Diem. He was corrupt and did not govern in the best interest of the citizens.govern in the best interest of the citizens.
Diem was disliked because Diem was disliked because he discriminated against the he discriminated against the Buddhist populationBuddhist population
Some Buddhist monks Some Buddhist monks protested Diem’s rule by protested Diem’s rule by setting themselves on firesetting themselves on fire
Gulf of Tonkin Gulf of Tonkin Incident Incident
USS Maddox
In August of 1964, Pres. Johnson In August of 1964, Pres. Johnson announced that North Vietnam announced that North Vietnam
ships had fired on two American ships had fired on two American destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkindestroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin
Johnson insisted that the Johnson insisted that the North Vietnamese attack North Vietnamese attack was unprovoked and was unprovoked and responded by ordering responded by ordering American airplanes to attack American airplanes to attack North VietnamNorth Vietnam
Gulf of Tonkin ResolutionGulf of Tonkin Resolution
When, in August of When, in August of 1964, Congress passed 1964, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, Congress Resolution, Congress handed over war handed over war powers to the president powers to the president
After accusing N. After accusing N. Vietnam of attacking the Vietnam of attacking the U.S., Johnson asked U.S., Johnson asked Congress to give him the Congress to give him the authorization to use force authorization to use force to defend American forcesto defend American forces
The President had the power to The President had the power to send U.S. troops into battle send U.S. troops into battle without a declaration of warwithout a declaration of war
Operation Rolling Operation Rolling ThunderThunderThe U.S. bombing campaign The U.S. bombing campaign
conducted against the North conducted against the North Vietnam from 1965 until 1968Vietnam from 1965 until 1968
The three-year assault was The three-year assault was intended to get North intended to get North Vietnam to stop supporting Vietnam to stop supporting South Vietnamese guerrillasSouth Vietnamese guerrillas
Operation Operation became most became most
intense intense air/ground battle air/ground battle
waged during waged during the Cold Warthe Cold War
VietcongVietcong
Guerrilla army based in Guerrilla army based in South Vietnam (also South Vietnam (also
known as the NLF) that known as the NLF) that fought the U.S. and South fought the U.S. and South Vietnamese governments Vietnamese governments during the Vietnam Warduring the Vietnam War
The Vietcong were South The Vietcong were South Vietnamese communistsVietnamese communistswho fought for Vietnamese who fought for Vietnamese unification on the side of the unification on the side of the North VietnameseNorth Vietnamese
Vietcong AdvantagesVietcong Advantages They were familiar with They were familiar with
the landscape (rivers, the landscape (rivers, lakes, etc.)lakes, etc.)
They could find a safe They could find a safe haven in Cambodia, haven in Cambodia, Laos or South VietnamLaos or South Vietnam
They could often count They could often count on the support of the on the support of the local populationlocal population
Ho Chi Minh TrailHo Chi Minh Trail
Red line indicates Ho Chi Minh Red line indicates Ho Chi Minh Trail through Laos and CambodiaTrail through Laos and Cambodia
A look at the Ho Chi Minh Trail from road level, with A look at the Ho Chi Minh Trail from road level, with camouflaged convoy truck approaching. camouflaged convoy truck approaching.
Path that ran from North Vietnam to South Vietnam through Laos and Cambodia system providing manpower and weapons to the Vietcong
Tet OffensiveTet OffensiveJanuary 30 – June 8, 1968January 30 – June 8, 1968
In early 1968, In early 1968, the Vietcong the Vietcong
and the North and the North Vietnamese Vietnamese launched a launched a
surprise attack surprise attack on the South on the South
during the Tet, during the Tet, which is the which is the Vietnamese Vietnamese
New YearNew Year A Vietcong agent is shot during the Tet OffensiveA Vietcong agent is shot during the Tet Offensive
Tet OffensiveTet Offensive
The Tet Offensive in 1968 was a surprise attack The Tet Offensive in 1968 was a surprise attack by the Vietcong throughout South Vietnam by the Vietcong throughout South Vietnam
While the Vietcong suffered While the Vietcong suffered heavy losses, it was a major heavy losses, it was a major
political victory for the Vietcongpolitical victory for the Vietcong
Tet was the turning point in Tet was the turning point in the war and showed that the war and showed that
the U.S. was nowhere close the U.S. was nowhere close to winning the warto winning the war
Credibility GapCredibility Gap
William William Westmoreland Westmoreland
Robert Robert McNamaraMcNamara
Opposition to the Opposition to the Vietnam War grew Vietnam War grew in the United States in the United States
in the late 1960sin the late 1960s
Many Americans Many Americans were suspicious of were suspicious of the government’s the government’s truthfulness about truthfulness about
the warthe war
Many Americans believed a Many Americans believed a credibility gapcredibility gap had had developed (people lost trust in what the developed (people lost trust in what the
government was telling them)government was telling them)
My Lai MassacreMy Lai MassacreMarch 16March 16thth, ,
19681968
Unidentified Vietnamese man and child killed by US Unidentified Vietnamese man and child killed by US soldierssoldiers
A village set afire during the My Lai MassacreA village set afire during the My Lai Massacre
American platoon had massacred American platoon had massacred more than 200 South Vietnamese more than 200 South Vietnamese civilians who they thought were civilians who they thought were members of the Vietcong in a members of the Vietcong in a village called My Laivillage called My Lai
Most of the victims were old Most of the victims were old men, women and childrenmen, women and children
My Lai massacre increased My Lai massacre increased feelings among many feelings among many
Americans that the war was Americans that the war was brutal and senselessbrutal and senseless
Election of 1968Election of 1968
"I shall not seek, and I will not accept the nomination of my party for another term as your President." March 31, 1968
Johnson refuses to Johnson refuses to run for re-electionrun for re-election
After Johnson refused to run for After Johnson refused to run for re-election and Bobby Kennedy re-election and Bobby Kennedy
was assassinated, the Democrats was assassinated, the Democrats ended up choosing LBJ’s vice-ended up choosing LBJ’s vice-
president, Hubert Humphrey, as president, Hubert Humphrey, as their presidential candidatetheir presidential candidate
Republicans nominate former Republicans nominate former vice-president Richard Nixon, vice-president Richard Nixon,
who lost to JFK in 1960who lost to JFK in 1960
Election of 1968Election of 1968Nixon becomes president!Nixon becomes president!
Draft Lottery BeginsDraft Lottery BeginsDecember 1st, 1969
Many Americans Many Americans who were against the who were against the war believed the war believed the United States had an United States had an unfair draft systemunfair draft system
Minorities made up Minorities made up a large percentage a large percentage of soldiers in of soldiers in Vietnam. As the war Vietnam. As the war continued, more continued, more people were draftedpeople were drafted
Some folks are born made to wave the flag,ooh, they're red, white and blue.
And when the band plays "Hail To The Chief",oh, they point the cannon at you, Lord,
It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no senator's son,It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no fortunate one, no,
Some folks are born silver spoon in hand,Lord, don't they help themselves? oh.
But when the taxman come to the door,Lord, the house look a like a rummage sale, yes,
Fortunate Son (CCR)Fortunate Son (CCR)
It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no millionaire's son, no, no.
It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate one, no.
Yeh, some folks inherit star spangled eyes,ooh, they send you down to war, Lord,
And when you ask them, how much should we give, oh, they only answer, more, more, more, yoh,
It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no military son, SON, NO
It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate one, NO NO
It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate one, no no no,
It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate son, son son son
Kent State MassacreKent State MassacreMay 4, 1970May 4, 1970
In April of 1970, In April of 1970, President Nixon President Nixon announced that announced that
American troops had American troops had invaded Cambodiainvaded Cambodia
Anti-war protestors Anti-war protestors saw this as an saw this as an
escalation of the war, escalation of the war, sparking violent sparking violent
protests on college protests on college campusescampuses
At Kent State University in Ohio, protestors became violent. The At Kent State University in Ohio, protestors became violent. The Ohio National Guard was called in and fired upon the student Ohio National Guard was called in and fired upon the student
demonstrators, killing four studentsdemonstrators, killing four students
Tin soldiers and Nixon's comin'.We're finally on our own.This summer I hear the drummin'.Four dead in Ohio.
Ohio (Neil Young)Ohio (Neil Young)
Gotta get down to it.Soldiers are gunning us down.Should have been done long ago.What if you knew her andFound her dead on the ground?How can you run when you know?
Gotta get down to it.Soldiers are cutting us down.Should have been done long ago.What if you knew her andFound her dead on the ground?How can you run when you know?
Tin soldiers and Nixon's comin'.We're finally on our own.This summer I hear the drummin'.
2626thth Amendment Amendment ratifiedratified
President Nixon signs the 26th Amendment President Nixon signs the 26th Amendment guaranteeing the right to vote for people over 18.guaranteeing the right to vote for people over 18.
Anger over the draft led to Anger over the draft led to debates about the voting age. debates about the voting age.
Demonstrators help public Demonstrators help public rallies and marches.rallies and marches.
The average age of a The average age of a American soldier in Vietnam American soldier in Vietnam
was 19. Because you had to was 19. Because you had to be 21 to vote, many people be 21 to vote, many people
called for changes in voting called for changes in voting laws, saying that if you’re old laws, saying that if you’re old
enough to fight in war, you enough to fight in war, you should be old enough to vote.should be old enough to vote.
In 1971, the 26In 1971, the 26thth Amendment was ratified, Amendment was ratified, lowered the legal voting lowered the legal voting age from 21 to 18age from 21 to 18
2626thth Amendment Amendment ratifiedratifiedDuring the Vietnam During the Vietnam
War, the average War, the average age of U.S. soldier age of U.S. soldier
was 19was 19Most soldiers were Most soldiers were old enough to fight, old enough to fight, but not old enough but not old enough
to voteto vote
Anger over the draft led Anger over the draft led to numerous proteststo numerous protestsThe 26The 26thth Amendment Amendment lowered the voting age lowered the voting age from 21 to 18from 21 to 18
VietnamizationVietnamizationVietnamization called for a gradual withdrawal of
American troops as South Vietnamese took more
control
Even though the U.S. had begun cutting Even though the U.S. had begun cutting back its involvement in the Vietnam War, back its involvement in the Vietnam War,
the American home front remained the American home front remained divided and volatile as Nixon’s war divided and volatile as Nixon’s war
policies stirred up new waves of protestpolicies stirred up new waves of protest
U.S. pulls out of U.S. pulls out of VietnamVietnamIn January of 1973, North and South Vietnamese
reach a cease-fire agreement; by 1975, the United States withdraws all of its people from Vietnam
War Powers Act War Powers Act (1973)(1973)Law was an attempt to set Law was an attempt to set limits on the power of the limits on the power of the president during wartimepresident during wartime
Required the Required the president to inform president to inform
Congress of any Congress of any commitment of commitment of
troops with 48 hourstroops with 48 hours
The Pentagon PapersIn 1971, a former Defense Department In 1971, a former Defense Department worker leaked what were known as the worker leaked what were known as the Pentagon Papers to the New York Pentagon Papers to the New York TimesTimes
The documents The documents showed how various showed how various
administrations administrations deceived Congress, deceived Congress, the media, and the the media, and the
public about how the public about how the war was goingwar was going
The government The government had not been had not been honest with the honest with the American peopleAmerican people
Coming up next:
The 1970s:Nixonand
Watergate
TTHHE E VVIIEETTNNAAMM W WAARR
Tet OffensiveTet Offensive
After the Tet Offensive, many Americans After the Tet Offensive, many Americans began to question whether we should be began to question whether we should be
in Vietnam. in Vietnam. Many Americans felt the nation had Many Americans felt the nation had been deceived by the government, been deceived by the government,
creating what was known as…creating what was known as…
The Credibility GapThe Credibility Gap
William William Westmoreland Westmoreland
Robert Robert McNamaraMcNamara
Opposition to the Opposition to the Vietnam War grew Vietnam War grew in the United States in the United States
in the late 1960sin the late 1960s
Many Americans Many Americans were suspicious of were suspicious of the government’s the government’s truthfulness about truthfulness about
the warthe war
Many Americans believed a Many Americans believed a credibility gapcredibility gap had had developed (people lost trust in what the developed (people lost trust in what the
government was telling them)government was telling them)
My Lai MassacreMy Lai MassacreMarch 16March 16thth, ,
19681968
Unidentified Vietnamese man and child killed by US Unidentified Vietnamese man and child killed by US soldierssoldiers
A village set afire during the My Lai MassacreA village set afire during the My Lai Massacre
American platoon had massacred American platoon had massacred more than 200 South Vietnamese more than 200 South Vietnamese civilians who they thought were civilians who they thought were members of the Vietcong in a members of the Vietcong in a village called My Laivillage called My Lai
Most of the victims were old Most of the victims were old men, women and childrenmen, women and children
My Lai massacre increased My Lai massacre increased feelings among many feelings among many
Americans that the war was Americans that the war was brutal and senselessbrutal and senseless
LBJ QuitsLBJ Quits
"I shall not seek, and I will not accept the nomination of my party for another term as your President." March 31, 1968
Johnson refuses to run for Johnson refuses to run for re-election in the Election of re-election in the Election of
19681968
Election of 1968Election of 1968
At the Democratic Convention in At the Democratic Convention in Chicago in 1968, Democrats choose Chicago in 1968, Democrats choose vice-president Hubert Humphrey as vice-president Hubert Humphrey as
their candidatetheir candidateBut the biggest news was the rioting But the biggest news was the rioting outside the convention when police outside the convention when police
beat hundreds of protestorsbeat hundreds of protestors
Election of 1968Election of 1968
Republicans nominate former vice-Republicans nominate former vice-president Richard Nixon as their president Richard Nixon as their
candidatecandidateNixon makes a campaign promise to Nixon makes a campaign promise to get the United States out of the get the United States out of the
Vietnam WarVietnam War
Election of 1968Election of 1968
Nixon becomes president!Nixon becomes president!
Draft Lottery BeginsDraft Lottery BeginsDecember 1st, 1969
Many Americans who were against the war Many Americans who were against the war believed the United States had an unfair believed the United States had an unfair
draft systemdraft system
The DraftThe Draft
Minorities made up a large Minorities made up a large percentage of soldiers in Vietnam. percentage of soldiers in Vietnam. As the war continued, more people As the war continued, more people
were draftedwere drafted
The DraftThe Draft
Many men refused to go into the Many men refused to go into the military. As a sign of protest, many military. As a sign of protest, many
burned their draft cards or dodged the burned their draft cards or dodged the draft by leaving the countrydraft by leaving the country
Some folks are born made to wave the flag,ooh, they're red, white and blue.
And when the band plays "Hail To The Chief",oh, they point the cannon at you, Lord,
It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no senator's son,It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no fortunate one, no,
Some folks are born silver spoon in hand,Lord, don't they help themselves? oh.
But when the taxman come to the door,Lord, the house look a like a rummage sale, yes,
Fortunate Son (CCR)Fortunate Son (CCR)
It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no millionaire's son, no, no.
It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate one, no.
Yeh, some folks inherit star spangled eyes,ooh, they send you down to war, Lord,
And when you ask them, how much should we give, oh, they only answer, more, more, more, yoh,
It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no military son, SON, NO
It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate one, NO NO
It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate one, no no no,
It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate son, son son son
Nixon Invades Nixon Invades CambodiaCambodia
In April of 1970, President Nixon In April of 1970, President Nixon announced that American troops had announced that American troops had
invaded Cambodiainvaded Cambodia
Nixon Invades Nixon Invades CambodiaCambodia
Anti-war protestors saw this as an Anti-war protestors saw this as an escalation of the war, sparking violent escalation of the war, sparking violent
protests on college campusesprotests on college campuses
Kent State MassacreKent State MassacreMay 4, 1970May 4, 1970
At Kent State University in Ohio, protestors At Kent State University in Ohio, protestors became violent. The Ohio National Guard became violent. The Ohio National Guard was called in and fired upon the student was called in and fired upon the student
demonstrators, killing fourdemonstrators, killing four
OhioOhioNeil YoungNeil Young
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Crosby, Stills, Nash and YoungYoung
Tin soldiers and Nixon's Tin soldiers and Nixon's comin'.comin'.We're finally on our own.We're finally on our own.
This summer I hear the This summer I hear the drummin'.drummin'.Four dead in Ohio.Four dead in Ohio.
Gotta get down to it.Gotta get down to it.Soldiers are gunning us down.Soldiers are gunning us down.Should have been done long Should have been done long
ago.ago.
What if you knew her andWhat if you knew her andFound her dead on the Found her dead on the
ground?ground?How can you run when you How can you run when you
know?know?
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na.na.Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na.na.
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na.na.Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na.na.
Gotta get down to it.Gotta get down to it.Soldiers are gunning us down.Soldiers are gunning us down.Should have been done long Should have been done long
ago.ago.
What if you knew her andWhat if you knew her andFound her dead on the Found her dead on the
ground?ground?How can you run when you How can you run when you
know?know?
Tin soldiers and Nixon's Tin soldiers and Nixon's comin'.comin'.We're finally on our own.We're finally on our own.
This summer I hear the This summer I hear the drummin'.drummin'.Four dead in Ohio.Four dead in Ohio.
Four dead in Ohio.Four dead in Ohio.
Four dead in Ohio.Four dead in Ohio.
Television impact on Television impact on warwar
Television coverage from Vietnam Television coverage from Vietnam brought the war into many peoples brought the war into many peoples
living rooms and helped to turn living rooms and helped to turn many people against the warmany people against the war
Television impact on Television impact on warwar
When CBS anchorman Walter When CBS anchorman Walter Cronkite said following the Tet Cronkite said following the Tet
Offensive that the war was Offensive that the war was unwinnable, most Americans unwinnable, most Americans
believed himbelieved him
Anti-War Protests Anti-War Protests EscalateEscalate
As the Vietnam conflict dragged on As the Vietnam conflict dragged on into the 1970s, more and more into the 1970s, more and more
Americans called for the U.S. to get Americans called for the U.S. to get out of Vietnamout of Vietnam
For What It’s WorthFor What It’s WorthBuffalo SpringfieldBuffalo Springfield
2626thth Amendment Amendment ratifiedratifiedDuring the Vietnam During the Vietnam
War, the average War, the average age of U.S. soldier age of U.S. soldier
was 19was 19Most soldiers were Most soldiers were old enough to fight, old enough to fight, but not old enough but not old enough
to voteto vote
Many Americans called Many Americans called for changes to the voting for changes to the voting ageageThe 26The 26thth Amendment Amendment lowered the voting age lowered the voting age from 21 to 18from 21 to 18
VietnamizationVietnamizationVietnamization called for a gradual withdrawal of
American troops as South Vietnamese took more
control
Even though the U.S. had begun cutting Even though the U.S. had begun cutting back its involvement in the Vietnam War, back its involvement in the Vietnam War,
the American home front remained the American home front remained divided and volatile as Nixon’s war divided and volatile as Nixon’s war
policies stirred up new waves of protestpolicies stirred up new waves of protest
U.S. pulls out of U.S. pulls out of VietnamVietnam
In January of 1973, North and South Vietnamese reach a cease-fire
agreement; by 1975, the United States withdraws all of its people
from Vietnam
War Powers Act War Powers Act (1973)(1973)Law was an attempt to Law was an attempt to set limits on the set limits on the power of the president power of the president during wartimeduring wartime
Required the Required the president to president to
inform Congress inform Congress of any of any
commitment of commitment of troops with 48 troops with 48
hourshours
The Pentagon PapersIn 1971, a former Defense Department In 1971, a former Defense Department worker leaked what were known as the worker leaked what were known as the Pentagon Papers to the New York Pentagon Papers to the New York TimesTimes
The documents The documents showed how various showed how various
administrations administrations deceived Congress, deceived Congress, the media, and the the media, and the
public about how the public about how the war was goingwar was going
The government The government had not been had not been honest with the honest with the American peopleAmerican people
Coming up next:Coming up next: Other Other
groups fight groups fight for their for their rightsrights
Latinos, Native Latinos, Native Americans, Americans,
womenwomen
