Warm Up How did President Kennedy avoid World

Warm Up: • How did President Kennedy avoid World War III through his handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis?

Warm Up: • Is it ok for one country to get involved in the civil war of another country? • You may do this in your composition journal or on Socrative – m. socrative. com – Room number 99536

The Vietnam War 1954 - 1975

The Vietnam War • Final major “hot” conflict of the Cold War • American involvement began due to President Truman’s policy of containment • US needs to stop the spread of Communism around the world • President Eisenhower promoted US involvement in SE Asia as a result of the domino theory • if one country “falls” to communism so will all the others around it like “dominos”

Background • Ruled by the French until 1954 • After French leave, divided into two parts along 17 th Parallel: • North = Communist • Led by Ho Chi Minh and Vietcong • Backed by China and Soviet Union • South = Non-Communist • Led by Diem • Backed by the US

US Involvement • US feared the expansion of Communism into SE Asia • Sent military advisors in 1950 and then troops to South Vietnam to help fight the North Vietnamese • The war would eventually span 5 presidents and was a determining factor in many Presidential elections

US Involvement • In 1964, US passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution • US claimed some US ships were attacked by North Vietnamese torpedoes • Resolution allowed the President to take military action in Vietnam • President could use “all necessary measures” to repel aggression in the region

US Promotes a Coup d'état

US Troop Deployment

US Involvement • By 1968, there were 500, 000 U. S. troops in Vietnam • USA made it a HIGH TECH WAR in Vietnam’s Jungles: • poisonous “Agent Orange” chemicals • rocket launchers and grenades • Guerilla Warfare: fighting in the jungles, enemy did not wear uniforms, no clear battlefield

Tet Offensive • Major offensive launched by North Vietnam during the Vietnamese New Year • During the offensive, the Communists slaughtered anyone they labeled the enemy (teachers, doctors, government officials) • Demonstrated Vietcong could launch a massive attack on S. Vietnam • US troops committed similar slaughters “We huddled them up. We made them squat down…I poured about four clips [68 shots] into the group…Well, we kept right on firing…I still dream about it…Some nights, I can’t even sleep. I just lay there thinking about it” – Private Paul Meadio

Who is the enemy? • Vietcong: • Began as a radical group in South Vietnam who were supported by the North Vietnamese • Farmers by day; guerillas at night • Very patient people willing to accept many casualties • The US grossly underestimated their determination and resourcefulness