Transcript The American War in Vietnam

The Origins of The War in
Vietnam
JFK’s Inheritance
 Observers and Advisors
 New War, New Tactics
 Diem and the Buddhist Revolt-1963
 Lyndon’s War Now- 1963-64
 Gulf of Tonkin Resolution- 1964

S.E. Asia
Why JFK did what he did…
Why JFK did what he did…

The Belief that Vietnam was the
victim of Communist Aggression
Why JFK did what he did…
Vietnam was victim of Communist
Aggression
 Belief in monolithic Communism

Why JFK did what he did…
Vietnam was victim of Communist
Aggression
 Belief in monolithic Communism
 Belief in the Domino Theory

Why JFK did what he did…
Vietnam was victim of Communist
Aggression
 Belief in monolithic Communism
 Belief in the Domino Theory
 Need for show of force to stop
aggression

Why JFK did what he did…
Vietnam was victim of Communist
Aggression
 Belief in monolithic Communism
 Belief in the Domino Theory
 Need for show of force to stop
aggression
 Bay of Pigs and Berlin Crisis

The Green Berets
Escalation under JFK

Fall 1961- 3,000 advisors
Escalation under JFK
Fall 1961- 3,000 advisors
 Fall 1962- 9,000
“

Escalation under JFK
Fall 1961- 3,000 advisors
 Fall 1962- 9,000
“
 Fall 1963-17,000
“

Escalation under JFK
Fall 1961- 3,000 advisors
 Fall 1962- 9,000
“
 Fall 1963-17,000
“


And in 1963, 489 Americans were
killed in Vietnam…..
New Methods of Warfare

The use of Napalm
New Methods of Warfare
The use of Napalm
 Chemical defoliants (Agent Orange)

New Methods of Warfare
The use of Napalm
 Chemical defoliants (Agent Orange)
 Strategic Hamlet Program (forced
relocation)

South Vietnam President
Ngo Diem
Buddhist Self-Immolation
New President: LBJ
Gulf of Tonkin Incident1964
Gulf of Tonkin Incident1964

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution: Gave
President authority to “ Takke all
necessary measures to repel any
armed attack against the forces of
the United States and to prevent
further aggression”
Gulf of Tonkin Incident1964
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution: Gave
President authority to “ Takke all
necessary measures to repel any
armed attack against the forces of
the United States and to prevent
further aggression”
 Gave LBJ “blank check” to escalate
the War in S.E. Asia!
