Aim: Why did the U.S. become involved in Vietnam?

Do now: What is the Domino Theory?

What conditions existed in Vietnam before U.S.

involvement?

• 19th Century France annexed Indo-China

• 1945-1954 war between Vietminh and France (Dien Bien Phu)

• 1954 Geneva Accords divide Vietnam

• North Vietnam (Communist) Hanoi

• South Vietnam (Anti-Communist) Saigon

Why was there a debate over US involvement in Vietnam?

• U.S. politicians feared parts of SE Asia might fall to Communism

Reasons:

• 1. Prevent the spread of Communism

• 2. Protect our position as a superpower

• 3. Defender of democracy

What was the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution? 1964

• August 1964 USS destroyer Maddox was allegedly attacked by a North Vietnamese gunship.

• Gave the President power to take “all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the US and to prevent further aggression”

How did the Vietnam War shape the U.S. during the 1960’s?

• US divided Hawks vs. Doves• Tet Offensive (1968) changed public

opinion of the war.• Guerrilla War 1968 549,000 troops• Draft• Student Protests – SDS, draft card burnings• Kent State (1970) 4 students killed during a

campus protest.

Vietnam

• Draft resisters 10,000 fled the country

• College deferments

• Jane Fonda went to North Vietnam and spoke out against the war

Summary

• By the 1968 Presidential elections, the nation was divided.

• Counter-culture – young people became disillusioned with traditional values.== hippies, flower children.

• Assassination of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King heightened emotions.