The Vietnam War Unit 8 Vietnam War Background

The Vietnam War Unit 8

Vietnam War: Background • France took control of Vietnam in the 1880 s • During WWII: Japan controlled Vietnam; French still present • In 1941, the Vietminh (Independence league) formed in opposition to foreign rule – Led by Ho Chi Minh • 1954: Geneva Accords – French leave; Vietnam split into No/So; Ho Chi Minh Northern Leader; Ngo Dinh Diem Southern Leader

Vietnam War: Eisenhower and JFK’s administrations • Eisenhower’s Domino Theory • JFK: – By 1963, 16, 000 military personnel stationed in Vietnam

Vietnam War: Johnson’s administration • 1963: Ngo Dinh Diem assassinated • Gulf of Tonkin Incident/Resolution: – Summer 1964 – USS Maddox – Resolution: president can “take all necessary measures” to defend countries in SE Asia threatened by Communism • Johnson escalates the war: – 1965: 200, 000 troops sent – 1966: 200, 000 more sent – 1967: 500, 000 US troops in Vietnam

Vietnam War: Protests – Anti-war demonstrations intensified in the U. S. • Why we were fighting became unclear • Kent State, 1970 – Hawks (those for war) vs. Doves (those against war) • Battle increased in Congress

Vietnam War: Johnson to Nixon – Tet Offensive (Jan. 1968) • Viet Cong (enemy) attacked 27 key So. Vietnamese cities—including Saigon • U. S increased troop numbers by 200, 000 • Viet Cong militarily defeated; LBJ politically defeated – March 31, 1968 speech: LBJ indicates there will be a halt to aerial bombardments and a shift of more responsibility to the So. Vietnamese » Does not run for Pres. In 1968 (Nixon will win) » Nixon’s policy: “Peace with Honor”

Vietnam War: Nixon Administration • Peace with Honor: – “Vietnamization” • Turn responsibility over to the Vietnamese – Bombings in Cambodia • U. S. promised to contain the war to Vietnam • Nixon vowed to pull troops out of SE Asia • Led to further distrust of the American gov’t

Vietnam War: The End • Cease-Fire Declared – Jan. 27, 1973 – National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger • Paris Agreement – US Forces leave Vietnam March 29, 1973 • All US Military action finished by August 1973 – Fighting resumes in Vietnam • South Vietnam taken over by North Vietnam April 30, 1975

Vietnam War: Aftermath • Vietnam: – 4 million killed (10% of the population) • U. S. : – $120 billion – 58, 000 dead – 303, 000 wounded – 750 taken prisoner