The Cold War: Domino Theory and Containment

Korea, VietnamCuba, Central America

Middle East

Terms to Know: The Arms RaceBrinkmanship:

US needed to act as though we are willing to go to war.Had to go to the “brink” the verge of war without slipping into it.

Arms Race in the SkyICBMs

Long range rockets loaded with nuclear weapons

SputnikThe rocket that carried the first satellite into space could also carry a nuclear weapon to space.

Arms Race in the SkyU2 – high altitude planes that flew over territory and took pictures.

15 miles in the air.

U2 Incident: 1960Russia was able to shoot down a U2

The Domino Theory: Asia1949: Communists take over China.

Most populated country in the world had gone Communist.Led by Mao Zedong

KoreaAfter WWII Korea was divided at the 38th Parallel.

North – Russian controlledSouth – US Controlled1948 – occupying forces withdrew.

Korean War1950 - 53

Both sides wanted reunification – but under whose rule?1950 – North Korea army poured across 38th Parallel to force reunification.

Korean WarUS thought it was all orchestrated by the Communists.

Had to make a stand against the Communist North Koreans.

Korean War: UN Military Action16 nations – including the US – came to defend South Korea from North Korea.

80% of troops were American.

Waging the Korean WarGeneral Douglas MacArthur led the offense against North Korea

Backed by Soviet and Chinese weapons and soldiers.

MacArthur goes too farTo push the North Koreans back behind the 38th Parallel, destroy the Communists in North Korea, or attack China?MacArthur wanted the second front in China.

MacArthur goes too farPresident Truman said NO to invading China.MacArthur tried to go behind the Commander in Chief’s back (Truman) and get Congressional support.Truman FIRED MacArthur for insubordination.

1951.

Korean WarTruman spent his presidency keeping the war contained to Korea.President Eisenhower used the threat of a nuclear attack to get the North Koreans to return behind the 38th Parallel.

Effects of the Korean War34,000 Americans dead in three years (1950 – 1953)Containment had workedBut North Korea was and still is Communist.

The 38th Parallel in 2005Most US troops are stationed there.Will Kim Jong Il force a reunification under a Communist dictatorship with a nuclear threat?Has six bombs and perfecting missile delivery.

The Domino Theory: Vietnam1954 - 1975

For 2000 years Vietnam has resisted being absorbed into China.1800s Vietnam became a colony for France.WWII:

Fought for independence from Japan

Ho Chi MinhCommunist Vietnamese.Fought for independence before, during and after WII.Leader of a group called the VIETMINH.

Defeated the French in 1954.

1954 Peace Treaty over VietnamDivided Vietnam.North Vietnam – Communist under Ho Chi MinhSouth Vietnam – Supposed to be capitalist and democratic.

SUPPOSED TO BE

South VietnamPresident Diem

Called himself “president”Said he was pro-USABrutally put down any opponents.

Pro-Catholic in a mostly Buddhist country.

Corruption to make his family rich.

Remember that the CIA used to be able to do political assassination?

That’s what happened to President Diem!

CIA authorized and said the US would not object to Diem’s overthrow.Diem ended up dead trying to flee.

November 1963

US Players in VietnamPresident Eisenhower

Military advisors for South Vietnamese.

President KennedySent troops to keep North Vietnam contained.

President Johnson“I’m not going to be the president who saw Southeast Asia go the way China went.”

US Players in VietnamRobert McNamara – Secretary of Defense for Kennedy and Johnson

Created policies that led to more US involvement.Movement away from nuclear threat to a “flexible response”

Finding different ways to fight a war than nuclear threat option.

Communist Advances in VietnamDiem’s successors were unpopular and unsuccessful.

More worried about power for themselves than fighting and winning a war.

The Communist Advances in Vietnam

VietCongCommunist guerrillas in South VietnamGained more control of territoryMore popular with the people.

Aided by Ho Chi Minh

Expanding Presidential Power to better run the Vietnam War

Gulf of Tonkin Incident1964President Johnson said the US Navy had been attacked by the North Vietnamese.Congress gave the president special powers to “cover everything” to fight the North Vietnamese.

Gulf of Tonkin IncidentIT NEVER HAPPENED!Johnson faked it to get more power than the Constitution gave him to fight the war. Escalation3 million soldiers committed for the rest of the war.

Johnson Commits to ContainmentAmerican Advantages

Superior arms and supplies

VietCong AdvantagesFamiliar with the terrain of jungles and swampsFound protection across the border in Laos and CambodiaLocal population support

Conditions of VietnamMany South Vietnamese did not welcome US help.

Keeping an unpopular government in place.US troops couldn’t tell who was the enemy.

The Ground War in VietnamVietCong used guerrilla war tactics.The Tunnel System used by the VietCongBooby traps, land mines, grenades, trip wires

The Air War in VietnamB-52s used SATURATION BOMBING on roads, bridges, civilians.Fragmentation Bombs

The Air War in VietnamAgent Orange

Herbicide meant to deforest the jungle and show VietCong hiding spots.Killed crops, livestock and health effects for humans

The Air War in VietnamNapalm

Jellylike substance that splattered and burned uncontrollably.

Turning Points in VietnamThe Tet Offensive

Communist brutality

My Lai Massacre

The Tet Offensive536,000 US troops in 1968Tet: The Vietnamese New Year January 30, 1968Surprise attacks on major cities and US troops.Fighting went for several weeks.

Communist Brutality in the Tet Offensive

Communists were brutal – killing anyone labeled an enemy.

TeachersDoctorsMinor officials3000 – 5000 killed

Massacre at My LaiAmerica atrocity in VietnamRumors that the VietCong were being hidden in the village of My LaiUS troops killed 400 Vietnamese

Election of 1968SURPRISE! Johnson said he would not run for re-election! “I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term.”

Lyndon Johnson

Nixon’s Vietnam PolicyPromised a “secret” plan to end the war if elected.Pulled back on bombing of North Vietnam and peace talks in Paris.1972 – only 24,000 troops remained in South Vietnam

Nixon’s Vietnam PolicyWar spreads to Cambodia

Secret bombing to get bargaining advantage in Paris.Flush the VietCong out of hiding places in CambodiaCreated war in Cambodia

1973 Paris Peace Agreement ending US involvement in Vietnam

1. US would withdraw all forces from South Vietnam in 60 daysAll prisoners of war would be releasedN. Vietnam and US would end end activities in Laos and Cambodia17th Parallel would continue to divide Vietnam in two.

Aftermath of the WarWar continued for two more years after US withdrawal.April 29, 1975 US evacuates last remaining Americans.

1,000 Americans6,000 VietnameseApril 30 – Communists take over.

Communist Domino EffectVietnam fell to the CommunistsLaos fellCambodia fell

Atrocities were committed by the Communists

Legacy of Vietnam:

58,000 Americans dead300,000 wounded60,000 Australians served, 521 died with 3,000 wounded.No “welcome home” parades or treatment as heroes.