The Vietnam War Vietnam on the map Japanese

The Vietnam War

Vietnam on the map. . .

Japanese eject French during World War II French try to re-establish Vietnamese colony after war French lose at Dien Bien Phu (in jungles near Laotian border) to Communist Vietnamese General Vo Nguyen Giap (1954) 1954 Geneva Accords require French demilitarization of Vietnam, partitioning at 17 th parallel, and elections under emperor Bao Dai in the South (Diem/Eisenhower prevents them). French War in Vietnam

Advisors sent to Vietnam (a few already there under Eisenhower) to stop communist Viet Minh forces Vietnamese government under Chinese-aligned communist Ho Chi Minh in the North, dictator Ngo Dinh Diem in the South Secretary of State Dean Rusk and Secretary of Defense Robert Mc. Namara recommend buildup of U. S. Forces in South Vietnam. Kennedy

The Domino Theory is the idea that if Vietnam falls to communism, so will the rest of former French Indochina (Laos and Cambodia), as well as other Southeast Asian nations (Thailand, Burma, etc. ) When Vietnam fell, Laos and Cambodia did fall to communism, but not Thailand or Burma. Domino Theory

Repressive South Vietnamese leader who becomes dictator in South Helps to prevent 1955 elections, works with U. S. Represses political opposition, jailing opponents indefinitely without charges, random executions without trial. Suppresses Buddhists (Diem is Catholic), who rebel (and occasionally self-immolate). U. S. Supports military coup against Diem in 1963, Diem and his brother killed. Diem

Term for a combined North Vietnamese/Viet Cong (guerrilla fighters) offensive against South Vietnam in January-February 1968 “Tet” is the Vietnamese new year Viet. Cong are the guerillas who strike against S. Vietnamese civilian and military targets inside of S. Vietnam. North Vietnamese army invades south from the DMZ, but is stopped at Khe Sahn. Viet. Cong massacres civilians at Hue, just over the S. Vietnam border Tet Offensive

Major 1968 battle near 17 th Parallel between invading North Vietnamese forces and U. S. Base. Result: Officially a defensive U. S. Victory, but more than 700 U. S. KIA and more S. Vietnamese casualties Battle results after outright invasion of South Vietnam by North Vietnamese forces in January 1968. By summer, U. S. pulls out of Khe Sahn base, but N. Vietnamese don't attempt another outright invasion of the South until U. S. Forces leave. Khe Sahn

The Viet. Cong uprising during Tet is demoralizing the American public, as news media (and Johnson Administration) had reported the Vietnam War as already basically won. Conservatives blame news media reports, especially television news anchors like Walter Cronkite, for souring the American public on the war (the three TV networks broadcasted daily lists of casualties). Media Loses the War?

Supply route for N. Vietnamese guerillas, the “Viet. Cong, ” through Laos and Cambodia. Took advantage of areas U. S. Soldiers were not allowed to fight (like Korean bridges over the Yalu River). In 1970, Richard Nixon authorizes U. S. Secret intervention in Laos and Cambodia (Kampuchea today) by CIA “Special Activities” division and U. S. special forces, as well as air force bombings. Nixon's campaign is exposed as a “secret war, ” unauthorized by Congress, and the campaign slows, but doesn't stop Viet. Cong resupply. Ho Chi Minh Trail

Vietnam War replays controversies from Korean conflict where enemy forces are given “sanctuary” from U. S. Attacks 90 percent of Vietnamese resupply is through Communist China, which is off-limits to U. S. Forces Ho Chi Minh trail in Laos and Cambodia also officially off limits (despite Nixon 1970 secret intervention). U. S. soldiers in S. Vietnam were not allowed to shoot unless shot at first, which gave the enemy the choice of initiative, battle location Sen. Barry Goldwater publishes official Rules of Engagement in Congressional Record in 1984, blames them for why war was lost. Rules of Engagement

U. S. Soldiers deployed reach 500, 000 by 1968 U. S. deaths peak in 1969 Antiwar movement accelerates Johnson announces he will not seek reelection in 1968, in part because of Vietnam controversy Johnson

Nixon re-elected to bring an end to the war in 1968 (Democratic nominee Hubert Humphrey pledges to continue the war). Nixon eventually calls for a negotiated withdrawal through the Paris peace process, negotiated by his Secretary of State Henry Kissinger Americans pull troops out of South Vietnam in 1973, leaving a few advisers. Last Americans leave April 1975 Nixon

After U. S. Forces are withdrawn, N. Vietnamese army forces, together with Viet. Cong, invade S. Vietnam in early 1975 Saigon, the southern capital, falls in April 1975 Laos and Cambodia fall to communist leaders Hmong tribesman in Laos (ethnic minorities to the Pathet Lao) flee persecution after CIA support ends (many end up in U. S. ) Khmer Rouge takes over Cambodia and kills as many as 2 million of the nation's 13 million people in a genocidal wave. Results of the War