Post on 27-Dec-2015
transcript
I. Background:
• 1955 – Cold War– Geneva Peace Talks
• Vietnam divided @ 17th parallel
• North – communist – Ho Chi Minh
• South – U.S. supported – Ngo Diem
II. U.S. Involvement• Keep S. Vietnam non-Communist• Prevent Domino Theory – if Vietnam fell to
communists – others follow• Diem corrupt, suppressed opposition & Buddhism• 1960 – in S. Vietnam opposition forms against Diem
• NLF – National Liberation • Front (a.k.a. Vietcong)• Supplied w/arms along Ho Chi
Minh Trail• 1963 US coup kills Diem
• U.S. takes control of S.Vietnam (JFK)
III. The Tonkin Gulf Resolution• USS Maddox fired on by N.
Viet. patrol boat• Torpedoes allegedly fired
again 2 days later• LBJ asks for special military
measures• Resolution was not a
declaration of war, but gave LBJ broad military power
• 1965 Combat troops arrive in Vietnam
• Poll showed 61% of people supported troops going-purpose of containment
IV. The Fog of War• Civilians are
difficult to separate from the Vietcong-there are many civilian casualties
• Jungle warfare & ambush• Elaborate tunnels means of transportation
War of Attrition• Wear down enemy
by continuous harassment
• Vietcong received supplies from China & USSR
• Military battle vs. Battle for existence
A. U. S. troops use Agent Orange
B. U.S. troops burn villages with napalm
C. Search & Destroy missions
Credibility gap• Accounts of the
progress of the war differ, the govt. says the U.S. is winning, the media shows soldiers coming home in body bags
• Protest movement emerges
Election of 1968 U.S. suffers major strategic
losses: Tet Offensive (1968) Turning point in public
opinion The Democrats are split
between war vs. anti war candidates
Violent anti war protests further damage the party
RFK shot in CA in June 1968
Nixon Triumphs
V. War Ends• Nixon-Vietnamization-
gradual withdrawal of troops
• U.S. Pulls out (1969 – 1973)
• “Peace With Honor” – Nixon
• Invades Cambodia-massive student protest
• 4 students killed at Kent State
• 1973- Peace US Troops leave
• Cease fire fails 1975 Saigon falls
Evacuation of the U.S. Embassy 4/30/75