The Vietnam War May 13, 2014 Note Packet K

Unrest in Asia Timeline

Sept. 1945 Ho Chi Minh (Communists) proclaims

Democratic Republican of Vietnam

Unrest in Asia Timeline

1946 - 1949 “Puppet leader” ineffective against Ho

Chi Minh Oct. 1949

Mao Zedong recognizes the gov’t under Ho Chi Minh

Unrest in Asia Timeline

1950-1953 US provides aid to French’s struggle in

Vietnam 1953 – 1954

Eisenhower debates on how much aid, support to French

Unrest in Asia Timeline

1954 Geneva Accords divide Vietnam @ 17th parallel SEATO agrees to protect Vietnam N & S Vietnam agree to hold elections, reunite

the country

Unrest in Asia Timeline

1955 Aid increased to Vietnam

1956 S Vietnam refuses to hold elections

1960 Vietcong (communist guerrillas) recognized as

the National Liberation Front (NLF) of Vietnam

Reasons for War

1.Prevent the spread of communism2.Stop the rise of aggressor gov’ts3.Protect the nation’s position as a

superpower4.Defend democracy

Kennedy’s Policy Towards Vietnam

Supported the Diem regime in beginning

Increased American military advisors to Vietnam US didn’t object South Vietnam’s coup against

Diem

Intended to withdraw US from Vietnam

Johnson’s Policy Towards Vietnam Viet Cong & National Liberation Front Henry Cabot Lodge – US ambassador to Vietnam Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

US destroyers attacked by N Vietnam President can take all necessary measures to repel any attack

against US forces Justified expansion of war

By 1965 President had control, no official declaration of war http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/gulf-of-tonkin-

resolution/videos/lbj-gulf-of-tonkin-incident

Fighting the War

Guerrilla Warfare Enemy did not wear uniforms Fought in the jungles of Southeast Asia No clear battlefield Land mines

http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/gulf-of-tonkin-resolution/videos/vietnam-war-tactics?m=528e394da93ae&s=undefined&f=1&free=false

The Air War

Introduction of B-52s Saturation bombing Fragmentation bombs Agent Organge – herbicide as chemical

weapon Napalm – jelly substance causing burns

Course of the War 1965 - 1968 Military escalation Ho Chi Minh Trail The Tet Offensive – Viet Cong & N Vietnam

launch major offensive Viet Cong capable of massive attacks US citizens becoming discouraged

My Lai Massacre

Political Division & Resistance to the War

Hawks & Doves Congress members divided

on War Hawks – win at any cost Doves – immediate

withdrawal

Political Division & Resistance to the War

Student Protests University of Calif @ Berkeley Students for Democratic Society

Anti-establishment The Free Speech Movement The Teach-In Movement

Special sessions held by professors

Political Division & Resistance to the War

Protest Marches Washington DC NYC Pentagon

Political Division & Resistance to the War

Draft Resisters Fled to Canada Sought deferments to go to college Large number of minorities went to war American youth hostile towards

Johnson’s policies

Political Division & Resistance to the War

Election of 1968 Anti-war democrats running against Johnson

(Robert Kennedy) Johnson decides not to run unpopular Democratic Convention chose pro-war candidate

Rallies riots Republican candidate Nixon wins

The End of the Vietnam War

Nation’s most costly war Support at an all time low Nixon widened military activities

The End of the Vietnam War

Vietnamization Takeover of the ground fighting Bombing Cambodia

Protest at Kent State Univ. Support at an all time low

The End of the Vietnam War

Peace with Honor Peace talks deadlocked 1973 “peace with honor” & cease-fire

would take place soon

The End of the Vietnam War

The War Powers Act of 1973 Passed by Congress overriding Nixon’s

veto Reverse Gulf Tonkin Resolution

President had to notify Congress within 48 hrs of sending troops to foreign country

President had to bring troops home within 60 days unless congress voting them to stay

Gave Congress more power in dealing with international conflicts

The End of the Vietnam War

End of the Vietnam War US withdrew, while N Vietnam overran S

Vietnam Saigon gov’t collapses US aid finally ceases Domino Theory becomes reality

The End of the Vietnam War

Conclusion on Vietnam War US politics acted in response to variety of

public pressures US foreign policy supported view of US

being involved in foreign affairs US questioned its role as world police

officer

The End of the Vietnam War

Conclusion on Vietnam War Expansion of presidential powers during

war time may not always be the best choice Limited after war

26th amendment passed Voting age lowered to 18 (18 yr olds

fighting should have a say)