Vietnam War Domino Theory If Vietnam fell to

Vietnam War

Domino Theory – If Vietnam fell to communism, the rest of Southeast Asia would also become communist History of Vietnam had spent the last 2000 years fighting colonial powers China and France abandoned Vietnam after being defeated by Ho Chi Minh and Vietminh at Dien Bien Phu Ho Chi Minh was a communist and a nationalist

Divided Vietnam 1954 International Conference creates the Geneva Accords Vietnam was divided at the 17 th Parallel Ho Chi Minh became president of Communist North Vietnam Ngo Dinh Diem became president of South Vietnam Geneva Accords called for 1956 election to unify Vietnam US and South Vietnam refused to support elections, Vietnam remained divided

US Involvement Truman Doctrine pledges to aid any nation threatened by Communism - Eisenhower 1 st sent military advisors to South Vietnam / 675 advisors by 1960 - By 1963, the end of JFK’s presidency – 16000 advisors on advice by LBJ - Diem was very unpopular due to “strategic hamlet” program and insistence that Buddhists follow Catholic laws Assassinated by South Vietnamese military with US backing

LBJ - Robert Mc. Namara was secretary of Defense under both JFK and LBJ - North Vietnamese gain more territory and loyalty of South Vietnamese o Vietcong – communist guerillas in the South o National Liberation Front – political arm of Vietcong - LBJ decides to escalate the war (send American troops)

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution - LBJ claims North Vietnamese torpedo boats attacked US Destroyers in Gulf of Tonkin - Details were very sketchy – later shown attack did not occur - Gulf of Tonkin Resolution – gave president authority to “take all necessary measure to repel any armed attack against the forces of the US and to prevent further aggression” - Gave LBJ complete control without declaration of War from Congress

Battlefield Conditions Nearly 3 million Americans served in Vietnam Americans have superior weapons, supplies, and technology Many South Vietnamese seemed indifferent, many turned off by dishonest government Although outnumbered – Vietcong have success using guerilla warfare Americans had trouble identifying friends from foe Vietcong used ambushes, tunnels, booby traps, and mines

Air War - 1966 US begins bombing Vietnam with B-52 Planes - Agent Orange – herbicide used to expose Vietcong hiding places o Later found to be very dangerous to humans - Napalm – jellylike substance which would burn human flesh - 1965 Johnson orders Operation Rolling Thunder – 3 years of continuous bombing of North Vietnam

Escalation - After being elected in his own right in 1964, LBJ decides to escalate the war o “I will not be the first president to lose a war” - By the end of 1964 – 184000 American troops were in Vietnam o Led by General William Westmoreland - Despite escalation and bombing of Ho Chi Minh Trail on Cambodia and Laos war seems to be a stalemate - Escalation continues: o 385, 000 troops by 1966 o 485, 000 troops by 1967 o 536, 000 troops by 1968

Tet Offensive - North Vietnamese and Vietcong launch a surprise major offensive in South Vietnam on New Year of Tet o Able to penetrate both American Embassy and South Vietnamese presidential palace in Saigon - Tet Offensive was a military defeat for Vietcong, but a psychological victory - After Tet Offensive, many Americans did not believe US could win war President Johnson sees popularity plunge

My Lai Massacre American soldiers were under extreme stress – Who is friend? Who is foe? Lt. William Calley Jr. orders massacre of civilians at village of My Lai 400 innocent Vietnamese civilians killed Helicopter crew led by Hugh Thompson is able to save some people Calley is sentenced to life in prison – later released after 3 years

Examine the Case Rules of War It is forbidden to kill or wound an enemy that has surrendered The attack or bombardment, by whatever means, of undefended towns, villages, or buildings, is prohibited Volunteer corps (or guerilla fighters) have the same rights and duties as armies

Student Activism Nation is split between those who favored increasing war effort, and those who believed war was morally wrong (generation gap) SDS - Students for a Democratic Society led by Tom Hayden, became important part of New Left 1964 California at Berkley students take over administration building over free speech Teach Ins – university faculty members led antiwar sessions

Draft Selective Service Act – allowed government to draft men between 18 and 26 Conscientious objectors – those opposed to fighting the war on moral or religious grounds Resistance grows as the draft increases College Students could receive a deferment – postponement of service 100, 000 resisters move to Canada

Election of 1968 – Democratic Primary • Antiwar candidate Eugene Mc. Carthy made strong showing in New Hampshire primary, finishing a close second to LBJ • LBJ shocks everyone and announces he will not run for re-election • Robert Kennedy looks like he will win nomination but is assassinated in June by Sirhan • Democrats nominate Hubert Humphrey to run against Richard Nixon

Democratic Convention of 1968 • Chicago Mayor Richard Daley pledges to keep war protestors in line • Police and protestors battle in the streets in front of television cameras • “Chicago 7” are put on trial for inciting a riot • Democrats are torn apart

Election of 1968 Nixon (R) ---- Humphrey (D) -----George Wallace (American Independent Party) Wallace appealed to segregationists and blue collar voters (45 electoral votes) Nixon wins and Republicans will control presidency for 16 of the next 20 years Middle America wanted to restore law and order after turbulent 1960 s

Nixon and Vietnam Claimed to have a “secret” plan to end the war Paris Peace Talks began in May 1968 – no agreement Vietnamization – replaces American troops with South Vietnamese By 1972, US troop strength is down to 24, 000 Secretly orders bombing in Cambodia – follows with ground forces Goal was to eliminate communist camps used to attack American troops in Vietnam

Silent Majority Nixon campaigned on the promise to restore law and order during the 1960 s Nixon’s reference to those who supported war and wanted law and order “If a vocal minority, however fervent its cause, prevails over reason and the will of the majority, this nation has no future as a free society”

Students at Kent State in Ohio burn ROTC building during protests Governor ordered National Guard on campus Students throw rocks and instigate guardsmen National Guard opens fire – 4 students dead and 9 wounded Nation remains deeply divided Kent State

Withdrawal January 1973 – all sides sign formal agreement in Paris ending the war 1. US would withdraw troops in 60 days 2. All POWs would be released 3. End of military activities in Laos and Cambodia 4. The 17 th Parallel would divide the nation

Aftermath American military involvement ended in 1973 Spring of 1975, South is overrun by North Vietnamese US carries out last minute helicopter evacuations at the embassy in Saigon April 30 th, South Vietnam surrenders o Vietnam becomes a single nation under a Communist government

Laos and Cambodia also become communist Rest of region does not fall to “domino theory” Communist leader of Cambodia Pol Pot kills at least 1. 5 million who were “tainted” by the West 1. 5 Vietnamese fled nation by boat – many come to US Southeast Asia

Legacy of War 58, 000 Americans dead and 300, 000 wounded Many soldier felt their sacrifices were not appreciated In many ways nation remained divided One of the longest and least successful war in US history

Vietnam War Memorial in Washington DC Completed in 1982 by Maya Lin Long wall of granite which displays names of each American who died