Where is Where is Vietnam?Vietnam?

Why Did the United Why Did the United StatesStates

Fight a War in Vietnam? Fight a War in Vietnam?• Basically to hold the line Basically to hold the line

against the spread of world against the spread of world Communism. America paid Communism. America paid for the war the French fought for the war the French fought against Communist Vietnam against Communist Vietnam as a part of the Truman as a part of the Truman Doctrine (1947) “to help free Doctrine (1947) “to help free peoples to maintain their free peoples to maintain their free institutions and their national institutions and their national integrity against … integrity against … totalitarian regimes.” In the totalitarian regimes.” In the 1950’s, America became 1950’s, America became involved again. involved again.

Longest and Most Longest and Most Unpopular WarUnpopular War

• The Vietnam War was the The Vietnam War was the longest and most unpopular longest and most unpopular war in American history. war in American history. During the war:During the war:– 58,000 Americans lost their 58,000 Americans lost their

lives.lives.• The oldest man killed was 62 years The oldest man killed was 62 years

old; the youngest, 16.old; the youngest, 16.• 61% of the men killed were 21 or 61% of the men killed were 21 or

younger.younger.– 304,000 were wounded.304,000 were wounded.– 75,000 were severely disabled. 75,000 were severely disabled. – The United States spent over The United States spent over

$200 billion dollars on the war. $200 billion dollars on the war.

Conflict Between France & Conflict Between France & VietnamVietnam

• The Vietnam War grew out The Vietnam War grew out of the long conflict between of the long conflict between France and Vietnam.France and Vietnam. – In July 1954, after one In July 1954, after one

hundred years of colonial hundred years of colonial rule, a defeated France was rule, a defeated France was forced to leave Vietnam.forced to leave Vietnam.

– Nationalist forces under the Nationalist forces under the direction of General Vo direction of General Vo Nguyen Giap defeated the Nguyen Giap defeated the allied French troops at the allied French troops at the remote mountain outpost of remote mountain outpost of Dien Bien Phu in the Dien Bien Phu in the northwest corner of Vietnam.northwest corner of Vietnam.

The Geneva Peace The Geneva Peace AccordsAccords

• The Geneva Peace Accords, The Geneva Peace Accords, signed by France and Vietnam signed by France and Vietnam in the summer of 1954, in the summer of 1954, provided for the temporary provided for the temporary partition of Vietnam at the partition of Vietnam at the 17th parallel, with national 17th parallel, with national elections in 1956 to reunify the elections in 1956 to reunify the country.country.

• In the North, a communist In the North, a communist regime, supported regime, supported by the by the Soviet Union and the People's Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China, Republic of China, set up its set up its headquarters in Hanoi under headquarters in Hanoi under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh.the leadership of Ho Chi Minh.

Opposition to Geneva Opposition to Geneva AccordsAccords

• The United States prevented the elections that were The United States prevented the elections that were promised under the Geneva conference because it promised under the Geneva conference because it knew that the Communists would win. knew that the Communists would win. – Secretary of State John Foster Dulles thought the Geneva Secretary of State John Foster Dulles thought the Geneva

Accords granted too much power to the Communist Party of Accords granted too much power to the Communist Party of Vietnam.Vietnam.

– He and President Dwight D. He and President Dwight D. Eisenhower supported the creation of Eisenhower supported the creation of a counter-revolutionary alternative a counter-revolutionary alternative south of the 17th parallel. south of the 17th parallel.

• This was accomplished through This was accomplished through formation of the Southeast Asia formation of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO).Treaty Organization (SEATO).

A New Nation in the A New Nation in the SouthSouth

• Using SEATO for political cover, the Using SEATO for political cover, the Eisenhower administration helped Eisenhower administration helped create a new nation in southern create a new nation in southern Vietnam. Vietnam.

• In 1955, with the help of massive In 1955, with the help of massive amounts of American military, amounts of American military, political, and economic aid, the political, and economic aid, the government of the Republic of government of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) was born. Vietnam (South Vietnam) was born.

• The following year, Ngo Dinh Diem, a The following year, Ngo Dinh Diem, a staunchly anti-Communist figure from staunchly anti-Communist figure from the South, won a dubious election that the South, won a dubious election that made him president of South Vietnammade him president of South Vietnam

The Domino TheoryThe Domino Theory• American policymakers developed the American policymakers developed the

“Domino Theory” as a justification for the “Domino Theory” as a justification for the involvement. This theory stated, “If South involvement. This theory stated, “If South Vietnam falls to the Communist, Laos, Vietnam falls to the Communist, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, India and Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, India and Pakistan would also fall like dominos. The Pakistan would also fall like dominos. The Pacific Islands and even Australia could be Pacific Islands and even Australia could be at risk”.   at risk”.  

South Vietnam Under South Vietnam Under DiemDiem• Diem claimed that his newly created Diem claimed that his newly created

government was under attack from government was under attack from Communists in the north.Communists in the north.

• In late 1957, with American military In late 1957, with American military aid, Diem began to counterattack. aid, Diem began to counterattack. – He used the help of the CIA (through He used the help of the CIA (through

Operation Phoenix) to identify those Operation Phoenix) to identify those who sought to bring his government who sought to bring his government down and arrested thousands. down and arrested thousands.

– He passed a repressive series of acts He passed a repressive series of acts known as Law 10/59 that made it legal known as Law 10/59 that made it legal to hold suspected Communists in jail to hold suspected Communists in jail without bringing formal charges. without bringing formal charges.

Opposition to DiemOpposition to Diem• The outcry against Diem's harsh and The outcry against Diem's harsh and

oppressive actions was immediate. oppressive actions was immediate. – Buddhist monks and nuns were joined by Buddhist monks and nuns were joined by

students, business people, intellectuals, and students, business people, intellectuals, and peasants in opposition to Diem’s corrupt rule. peasants in opposition to Diem’s corrupt rule.

– The more these forces attacked Diem's troops The more these forces attacked Diem's troops and secret police, the more Diem complained and secret police, the more Diem complained that the Communists were trying to take South that the Communists were trying to take South Vietnam by force. This was "a hostile act of Vietnam by force. This was "a hostile act of aggression by North Vietnam against peace-aggression by North Vietnam against peace-loving and democratic South Vietnam." loving and democratic South Vietnam."

The National Liberation The National Liberation FrontFront

• The Communists The Communists supported the supported the creation of a broad-creation of a broad-based united front based united front to help mobilize to help mobilize southerners in southerners in opposition to the opposition to the government in government in South Vietnam. South Vietnam.

• On December 20, 1960, the National Liberation On December 20, 1960, the National Liberation Front (NLF) was born.Front (NLF) was born.– It brought together Communists and non-Communists in an It brought together Communists and non-Communists in an

umbrella organization that had limited, but important goals umbrella organization that had limited, but important goals – Anyone could join as long as they opposed Ngo Dinh Diem Anyone could join as long as they opposed Ngo Dinh Diem

and wanted to unify Vietnam.and wanted to unify Vietnam.

Washington White Washington White PapersPapers

• In a series of government "White In a series of government "White Papers," Washington insiders Papers," Washington insiders denounced the NLF, claiming denounced the NLF, claiming that it was merely a puppet of that it was merely a puppet of Hanoi. They called it the "Viet Hanoi. They called it the "Viet Cong," a derogatory and slang Cong," a derogatory and slang term meaning Vietnamese term meaning Vietnamese Communist. Communist.

• The NLF, on the other hand, The NLF, on the other hand, argued that it was autonomous argued that it was autonomous and independent of the and independent of the Communists in Hanoi and that it Communists in Hanoi and that it was made up mostly of non-was made up mostly of non-Communists. Many anti-war Communists. Many anti-war activists supported the NLF's activists supported the NLF's claims. claims.

December 1961 White December 1961 White PaperPaper

• In 1961, President In 1961, President Kennedy Kennedy sent a team to Vietnam to sent a team to Vietnam to report on conditions in the report on conditions in the South and South and to assess future American to assess future American aid requirements. aid requirements.

• The report, known as the The report, known as the "December 1961 White "December 1961 White Paper," argued for:Paper," argued for:– An increase in military, technical, and economic aidAn increase in military, technical, and economic aid– The introduction of large-scale American "advisers" The introduction of large-scale American "advisers"

to help stabilize the Diem regime and crush the NLF. to help stabilize the Diem regime and crush the NLF.

The Kennedy ResponseThe Kennedy Response• As Kennedy weighed the merits As Kennedy weighed the merits

of these recommendations, of these recommendations, some of his other advisers some of his other advisers urged the president to withdraw urged the president to withdraw from Vietnam altogether.from Vietnam altogether.

• In typical Kennedy fashion, the In typical Kennedy fashion, the president chose a middle route. president chose a middle route. – Instead of a large-scale military Instead of a large-scale military

buildup or a negotiated buildup or a negotiated settlement, the United States settlement, the United States would increase the level of its would increase the level of its military involvement in South military involvement in South Vietnam through more machinery Vietnam through more machinery and advisers, but no military and advisers, but no military troops. troops.

The Strategic Hamlet The Strategic Hamlet ProgramProgram

• To counteract the NLF's To counteract the NLF's success in the countryside, success in the countryside, Washington and Saigon Washington and Saigon launched an ambitious launched an ambitious military effort in the rural military effort in the rural areas. areas. – Called the Strategic Hamlet Called the Strategic Hamlet

Program, the new Program, the new counterinsurgency plan counterinsurgency plan rounded up villagers and rounded up villagers and placed them in "safe hamlets" placed them in "safe hamlets" controlled by the government controlled by the government of South Vietnam. of South Vietnam.

– The idea was to isolate the The idea was to isolate the NLF from villagers, its base of NLF from villagers, its base of supportsupport

NFL SuccessesNFL Successes• This culturally-insensitive This culturally-insensitive

plan further alienated the plan further alienated the peasants from the Saigon peasants from the Saigon regime and produced more regime and produced more recruits for the NLF. recruits for the NLF.

• By the summer of 1963, By the summer of 1963, because of NLF successes because of NLF successes and its own failures, it was and its own failures, it was clear that the government of clear that the government of South Vietnam was on the South Vietnam was on the verge of political collapse. verge of political collapse.

Buddhist Self-Buddhist Self-ImmolationsImmolations

• Diem's brother, Ngo Dinh Nhu, had Diem's brother, Ngo Dinh Nhu, had raided the Buddhist pagodas of South raided the Buddhist pagodas of South Vietnam, claiming that they had Vietnam, claiming that they had harbored the Communists that were harbored the Communists that were creating the political instability. creating the political instability.

• The result was massive protests on The result was massive protests on the streets of Saigon that led the streets of Saigon that led Buddhist monks to self-immolation. Buddhist monks to self-immolation.

• The pictures of the monks engulfed in The pictures of the monks engulfed in flames made world headlines and flames made world headlines and caused considerable consternation in caused considerable consternation in Washington. Washington.

Military CoupMilitary Coup• By late September, the BuddhistBy late September, the Buddhist

protest had created such disloca-protest had created such disloca-tion in the south that the Kennedytion in the south that the Kennedyadministration supported a coup. administration supported a coup.

• In 1963, some of Diem's own In 1963, some of Diem's own generals approached the American generals approached the American Embassy in Saigon with plans to overthrow Diem. Embassy in Saigon with plans to overthrow Diem.

• With Washington's tacit approval, Diem and his With Washington's tacit approval, Diem and his brother were captured and later killed. brother were captured and later killed.

• Three weeks later, President Kennedy was Three weeks later, President Kennedy was assassinated on the streets of Dallas. assassinated on the streets of Dallas.

Escalation of the ConflictEscalation of the Conflict• At the time of the Kennedy and At the time of the Kennedy and

Diem assassinations, there Diem assassinations, there were 16,000 military advisers were 16,000 military advisers in Vietnam. in Vietnam. – The Kennedy administration had The Kennedy administration had

managed to run the war from managed to run the war from Washington without the large-Washington without the large-scale introduction of American scale introduction of American combat troops. combat troops.

– The continuing political problems The continuing political problems in Saigon, however, convinced the in Saigon, however, convinced the new president, Lyndon Baines new president, Lyndon Baines Johnson, that more aggressive Johnson, that more aggressive action was needed. action was needed.

• After a dubious North Vietnamese raid on two U.S. ships After a dubious North Vietnamese raid on two U.S. ships in the Gulf of Tonkin, the Johnson administration argued in the Gulf of Tonkin, the Johnson administration argued for expansive war powers for the president. for expansive war powers for the president.

Attack on American Attack on American ShipsShips

• In August 1964, in response to In August 1964, in response to American and South Vietnamese American and South Vietnamese espionage along its coast, North espionage along its coast, North Vietnam launched an attack Vietnam launched an attack against the C. Turner Joy and the against the C. Turner Joy and the U.S.S. Maddox, two American U.S.S. Maddox, two American ships on call in the Gulf of Tonkin. ships on call in the Gulf of Tonkin. – The first attack occurred on The first attack occurred on

August 2, 1964. August 2, 1964. – A second attack was supposed to A second attack was supposed to

have taken place on August 4, but have taken place on August 4, but authorities have recently concluded authorities have recently concluded that no second attack ever took that no second attack ever took place. place.

The Gulf of Tonkin The Gulf of Tonkin ResolutionResolution

• The Johnson The Johnson administration used the administration used the August 4 attack to August 4 attack to obtain a Congressional obtain a Congressional resolution, now known resolution, now known as the Gulf of Tonkin as the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, that gave Resolution, that gave the president broad the president broad war powers. war powers.

• The Resolution was The Resolution was followed by limited followed by limited reprisal air attacks reprisal air attacks against North Vietnam. against North Vietnam.

Operation Rolling Operation Rolling ThunderThunder

• In early 1965, the NLF attacked two U.S. In early 1965, the NLF attacked two U.S. army installations in South Vietnam, and army installations in South Vietnam, and as a result, Johnson ordered sustained as a result, Johnson ordered sustained bombing missions over North Vietnam. bombing missions over North Vietnam.

• The bombing missions, known as The bombing missions, known as “Operation Rolling Thunder,” caused the “Operation Rolling Thunder,” caused the Communist Party to reassess its own war Communist Party to reassess its own war strategystrategy

Phosphorous & Napalm Phosphorous & Napalm BombsBombs

• ““Operation Rolling Operation Rolling Thunder” was Thunder” was backed up by backed up by phosphorous and phosphorous and napalm bombs – napalm bombs – the latter causing the latter causing dreadful burns to dreadful burns to thousand of thousand of innocent civilians.innocent civilians.

Operation Ranch HandOperation Ranch Hand• When this failed to break down the jungle When this failed to break down the jungle

cover the USAF started “Operation Ranch cover the USAF started “Operation Ranch Hand” – the defoliation program, using Agent Hand” – the defoliation program, using Agent Orange. Orange. – This deadly chemical cocktail, containing dioxin, This deadly chemical cocktail, containing dioxin,

killed off millions of acres of jungle to try to killed off millions of acres of jungle to try to weaken the Vietcong – but left a horrendous weaken the Vietcong – but left a horrendous legacy in Vietnam.legacy in Vietnam.

– The dioxin got into the food chain causing The dioxin got into the food chain causing chromosome damage to humans. There were chromosome damage to humans. There were hundreds of cases of children born with hundreds of cases of children born with deformities. deformities.

HelicoptersHelicopters• Of all aircraft, Of all aircraft,

thethe helicopter helicopter was the most was the most useful, dropping useful, dropping platoons in the platoons in the jungle clearings jungle clearings and out again. and out again. They were They were excellent air excellent air ambulances. ambulances.

How did the North VietnameseHow did the North VietnameseFight Back Against the U.S. Fight Back Against the U.S.

Invaders?Invaders?• The North Vietnamese used classic The North Vietnamese used classic

Maoist guerrilla tactics. “Guerrillas Maoist guerrilla tactics. “Guerrillas must move through the peasants like must move through the peasants like fish through sea,” i.e., the peasants fish through sea,” i.e., the peasants will support them as much as they will support them as much as they can with shelter, food, weapons, can with shelter, food, weapons, storage, intelligence, recruits. storage, intelligence, recruits.

North Vietnamese North Vietnamese TacticsTactics

• In areas held by the NLF, the In areas held by the NLF, the Communists distributed the Communists distributed the land to the peasants. (By land to the peasants. (By 1973, 1973, the NLF held about half of the NLF held about half of South Vietnam.)South Vietnam.)

• Their weapons were cheap Their weapons were cheap and reliable.and reliable.– The AK47 assault rifle out-performed the American The AK47 assault rifle out-performed the American

M16M16– The portable rocket launcher took out many US The portable rocket launcher took out many US

vehicles & aircraft.vehicles & aircraft. – They recycledThey recycled dud bombs dropped by the dud bombs dropped by the

Americans. Deadly booby-traps could inflict huge Americans. Deadly booby-traps could inflict huge damage on young American conscripts! damage on young American conscripts!

Tunnel ComplexesTunnel Complexes• The Vietnamese built large tunnel The Vietnamese built large tunnel

complexes such as the ones at Cu Chi complexes such as the ones at Cu Chi near Saigon. This protected them near Saigon. This protected them from the bombing raids by the from the bombing raids by the Americans and gave them cover for Americans and gave them cover for attacking the invaders. attacking the invaders.

Search & Destroy TacticsSearch & Destroy Tactics• The United States countered The United States countered

with “Search and Destroy” with “Search and Destroy” tactics. In areas where the tactics. In areas where the NLF were thought to be NLF were thought to be operating, troops went in operating, troops went in and checked for weapons. If and checked for weapons. If they found them, they found them,

they rounded up the villagers and burned the they rounded up the villagers and burned the villages down. villages down.

• This often alienated the peasants from the This often alienated the peasants from the American/South Vietnamese cause. American/South Vietnamese cause. – As one marine said – “If they weren’t Vietcong before we As one marine said – “If they weren’t Vietcong before we

got there, they sure as hell were by the time we left”. got there, they sure as hell were by the time we left”. – The NFL often helped the villager’s re-build their homes The NFL often helped the villager’s re-build their homes

and bury their dead.and bury their dead.

Protracted War StrategyProtracted War Strategy• After “Operation After “Operation

Rolling Thunder,” the Rolling Thunder,” the Communist Party Communist Party moved to a protracted moved to a protracted war strategy: the idea war strategy: the idea was to get the United was to get the United States bogged down inStates bogged down ina war that it could not a war that it could not win militarily and win militarily and create unfavorable create unfavorable conditions for political conditions for political victory. victory.

The War in AmericaThe War in America• The Vietnam War had a The Vietnam War had a

major impact on everyday major impact on everyday life in America, and the life in America, and the Johnson administration was Johnson administration was forced to consider domestic forced to consider domestic consequences of its consequences of its decisions daily.decisions daily.

• Since there were not enough Since there were not enough volunteers to continue to volunteers to continue to fight a protracted war, the fight a protracted war, the government instituted a government instituted a draft. draft.

Anti-War SentimentsAnti-War Sentiments• As the deaths As the deaths

mounted and mounted and Americans Americans continued to leave continued to leave for Southeast Asia, for Southeast Asia, the Johnson the Johnson administration was administration was met with the full met with the full weight of American weight of American anti-war sentiments. anti-war sentiments.

Anti-War ProtestsAnti-War Protests• Protests erupted on college Protests erupted on college

campuses and in major cities at first, campuses and in major cities at first, but by 1968 every corner of the but by 1968 every corner of the country seemed to have felt the country seemed to have felt the war's impact.war's impact.

1968 Democratic 1968 Democratic ConventionConvention

• One of the most famous One of the most famous incidents in the anti-war incidents in the anti-war movement was the police riot in movement was the police riot in Chicago during the 1968 Chicago during the 1968 Democratic National Democratic National Convention.Convention.

• Hundreds of thousands of Hundreds of thousands of people came to Chicago in people came to Chicago in August 1968 to protest August 1968 to protest American intervention in American intervention in Vietnam and the leaders of the Vietnam and the leaders of the Democratic Party who Democratic Party who continued to prosecute the war. continued to prosecute the war.

The Tet OffensiveThe Tet Offensive• By 1968, things had gone from bad to worse for By 1968, things had gone from bad to worse for

the Johnson administration. In late January, North the Johnson administration. In late January, North Vietnam and the NLF launched coordinated Vietnam and the NLF launched coordinated attacks against major southern cities.attacks against major southern cities.

• These attacks, known as the Tet Offensive, were These attacks, known as the Tet Offensive, were designed to force the Johnson administration to designed to force the Johnson administration to the bargaining table. the bargaining table.

The My Lai MassacreThe My Lai Massacre• A serious blow to U.S. credibility A serious blow to U.S. credibility

came with the exposure of the My Lai came with the exposure of the My Lai massacre (March 1968).massacre (March 1968).

• Hushed up at the time and only Hushed up at the time and only discovered by a tenacious journalist, discovered by a tenacious journalist, this involved the killing of 400 men, this involved the killing of 400 men, women and children by US troops.  women and children by US troops. 

A Secret Plan to End the A Secret Plan to End the WarWar

• In late March 1968, a disgraced In late March 1968, a disgraced Lyndon Johnson announced that he Lyndon Johnson announced that he would not seek the Democratic would not seek the Democratic Party's re-nomination for president Party's re-nomination for president and hinted that he would go to the and hinted that he would go to the bargaining table with the bargaining table with the Communists to end the war.Communists to end the war.

• Negotiations began in the spring of Negotiations began in the spring of 1968, but the Democratic Party 1968, but the Democratic Party could not rescue the presidency could not rescue the presidency from Republican challenger from Republican challenger Richard Nixon who claimed he had Richard Nixon who claimed he had a secret plan to end the war. a secret plan to end the war.

VietnamizationVietnamization• Nixon's secret plan Nixon's secret plan

involved a process called involved a process called “Vietnamization.” This “Vietnamization.” This strategy brought American strategy brought American troops home while troops home while increasing the air war over increasing the air war over North Vietnam and relying North Vietnam and relying more on the South more on the South Vietnamese army for Vietnamese army for ground attacks. ground attacks.

Expansion to Laos & Expansion to Laos & CambodiaCambodia

• The Nixon years also saw the expansion of The Nixon years also saw the expansion of the war into neighboring Laos and the war into neighboring Laos and Cambodia, violating the international Cambodia, violating the international rights of these countries in secret rights of these countries in secret campaigns, as the White House tried campaigns, as the White House tried desperately to rout out Communist desperately to rout out Communist sanctuaries and supply routes.sanctuaries and supply routes.

Campus Protests & Campus Protests & ShootingsShootings

• The intense The intense bombing bombing campaigns and campaigns and intervention in intervention in Cambodia in late Cambodia in late April 1970 April 1970 sparked intense sparked intense campus protests campus protests all across America. all across America.

Kent StateKent State• At Kent State in At Kent State in

Ohio, four students Ohio, four students were killed by were killed by National National Guardsmen who Guardsmen who were called out to were called out to preserve order on preserve order on campus after days campus after days of anti-Nixon of anti-Nixon protest.protest.

Jackson StateJackson State• Shock waves crossed the Shock waves crossed the

nation as students at nation as students at Jackson State in Jackson State in Mississippi were also Mississippi were also shot and killed for shot and killed for political reasons, political reasons, prompting one mother to prompting one mother to cry, "They are killing our cry, "They are killing our babies in Vietnam and in babies in Vietnam and in our own backyard." our own backyard."

The Christmas BombingsThe Christmas Bombings• In December 1972, the Nixon administration In December 1972, the Nixon administration

unleashed a series of deadly bombing raids unleashed a series of deadly bombing raids against targets in North Vietnam’s largest against targets in North Vietnam’s largest cities, Hanoi and Haiphong. cities, Hanoi and Haiphong.

• These attacks, now known as the Christmas These attacks, now known as the Christmas bombings, brought immediate condemnation bombings, brought immediate condemnation from the international community and forced from the international community and forced the Nixon administration to reconsider its the Nixon administration to reconsider its tactics and negotiation strategy. tactics and negotiation strategy.

The Paris Peace The Paris Peace AgreementAgreement

• In early January 1973, the In early January 1973, the Nixon White House convinced Nixon White House convinced Saigon that they would not Saigon that they would not abandon the South Vietnamese abandon the South Vietnamese army if they signed the peace army if they signed the peace accord. accord.

• On January 23, therefore, the On January 23, therefore, the final draft was initialed, ending final draft was initialed, ending open hostilities between the open hostilities between the United States and North United States and North Vietnam. Vietnam.

• The Paris Peace Agreement did The Paris Peace Agreement did not end the conflict in Vietnam, not end the conflict in Vietnam, however, as Saigon continued however, as Saigon continued to battle Communist forces. to battle Communist forces.

The Fall to CommunismThe Fall to Communism• From March 1973 until the fall From March 1973 until the fall

of Saigon on April 30, 1975, the of Saigon on April 30, 1975, the South Vietnamese army tried South Vietnamese army tried desperately to save the South desperately to save the South from political and military from political and military collapse. collapse.

• The end finally came when The end finally came when North Vietnamese tanks rolled North Vietnamese tanks rolled south along National Highway south along National Highway One. One.

• On the morning of April 30, On the morning of April 30, Communist forces captured the Communist forces captured the presidential palace in Saigon, presidential palace in Saigon, ending the Vietnam War. ending the Vietnam War.

Why Did the United States Why Did the United States Lose the Vietnam War?Lose the Vietnam War?

1.1. They underestimated the tenacity They underestimated the tenacity and organization of the North and organization of the North Vietnamese and the National Vietnamese and the National Liberation Front.   Liberation Front.  

2.2. Despite dropping Despite dropping more tonnage of more tonnage of high explosive on high explosive on Vietnam than the Vietnam than the whole of World whole of World War II, the War II, the Americans could Americans could not stop the not stop the movement of movement of troops or supplies troops or supplies to the south along to the south along the Ho Chi Minh the Ho Chi Minh Trail.   Trail.  

3.3. The North The North Vietnamese Vietnamese conducted a conducted a “Peoples war” in “Peoples war” in which everyone which everyone played a part. played a part.

4.4. At first, most Americans supported At first, most Americans supported the war. But by 1970, the Peace the war. But by 1970, the Peace Movement had support from all Movement had support from all parts of society and no government parts of society and no government could ignore it. could ignore it.

5.5. After 1969, there After 1969, there were deep were deep questions about the questions about the efficiency of US efficiency of US troops. There was a troops. There was a serious drug serious drug problem; desertion problem; desertion rates were high rates were high and morale low. and morale low. Many troops were Many troops were “time-servers,” i.e., “time-servers,” i.e., counted the days counted the days until the tour was until the tour was over. over.

6.6. The US never really The US never really understood the understood the culture of the culture of the Vietnamese people. Vietnamese people. Coca Cola, chewing Coca Cola, chewing gum, ball point pens, gum, ball point pens, and ice cream cones and ice cream cones could not dislodge could not dislodge their ancient beliefs. their ancient beliefs.

7.7. America was not prepared to keep America was not prepared to keep losing high numbers of casualties losing high numbers of casualties for such limited progress in a for such limited progress in a difficult jungle war, for which they difficult jungle war, for which they were not suited.   were not suited.  

8.8. The strength and resourcefulness of The strength and resourcefulness of the NLF. For example, the highly the NLF. For example, the highly complex Cu Chi tunnel system the complex Cu Chi tunnel system the U.S. never shut down.   U.S. never shut down.  

SourcesSources• Battlefield Vietnam: A Brief HistoryBattlefield Vietnam: A Brief History

http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/history/ihttp://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/history/index.htmlndex.html

• Vietnam Revision GuideVietnam Revision Guidehttp://www.learnhistory.org.uk/vietnam/ustactihttp://www.learnhistory.org.uk/vietnam/ustactics.htmcs.htm