Transcript The Vietnam War

The Vietnam War
Setting the Stage
Vietnam had been under French
control from 1883-1940
Japan invaded and occupied the
land name “INDOCHINA” (Vietnam,
Cambodia, and Laos) in 1940
After WWII Japan withdrew and
HO CHI MINH led the struggle to
break Vietnam free of the French
In 1954 the French withdrew from
Indochina after defeat.
The Agreement
A international peace treaty at
Geneva divided Vietnam into two
regions
- Communist NORTH Vietnam
ruled by Ho Chi Minh
-South Vietnam, lead Boa Dai
The ideas was the two nations
would reunite in 1956 and hold
free elections
Corruption
The United States supported Ngo
Dinh Diem- President of South
Vietnam
His election was slightly “funny”
because there were more votes than
there were voters.
The US began questioning their
choice in Diem
Began to refuse to hold “free
elections” for his people because he
knew he’d be voted out.
Favored the wealthy over the poor.
Ruthless to anyone who did not agree.
Domino Theory
Eisenhower believed if Vietnam became
Communist……the rest of the region would follow.
Vietcong
Vietnamese groups in the south who disagreed with the
policy/government were call DISSIDENTS they joined the
northern Vietminh and formed VIETCONG (Việt Cộng).
Used guerrilla warfare tactics- ambushes and raids
They formed the National Liberation Front (NLF)
A deadly year
In 1963 the US supported a Southern Vietnamese group that plotted to
overthrown Diem
They assassinated Diem and his brother in early November
3 weeks later…President Kennedy was assassinated.
Moments before his assassination
Its all yours now Lyndon Johnson
After Kennedy’s assassination Lyndon Johnson became president and was given the
Vietnam “gift.”
What happens when you lie?
1964 South Vietnamese boats patrol Northern Vietnamese islands on the Gulf of
Tonkin
In response the Northern Vietnamese fired on a US destroyer “Maddox” stationed
nearby
The Maddox and Ticonderoga fired back sinking one ship and damaging another.
August 4th Johnson was TOLD that the US Navy BELIEVED that the North Vietnamese
attacked again.
This information was leaked to the press…..when in actuality it never occurred
Johnson was forced to make a decision
He went before the country to tell them about the “unprovoked attacks”
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
After Johnson told the Country and Congress about the “attacks” Congress gave him the
power to use military force on the situation without a formal declaration of “war.”
It is hard to fight in someone ELSES
backyard!
 The Guerilla war practice the
Vietnamese used posed a serious
problem for the Americans
* Jungle presented a problem
* Ambushing was easier
* Only the Vietnamese knew the
trails to take
This lead to MASS CASUALTIES
The U.S would have to develop
better tactics
Operation Rolling Thunder
Air offensive tactic that
didn’t work as planed.
U.S Weapons
Firebombs
-Guns that shot fire
-Filled with napalm- A gasoline mixture
that sticks to the target
Cluster Bombs
-Covered people with shards of metal
Agent Orange
-Chemical spray that killed vegetation in
the area
- Used to wipe out the jungle cover
- Contained Dioxin(1 of the most
dangerous chemicals known to man)
- People in that area suffer from
horrendous birth defects still TODAY!
With all of the weapons
America was still at a disadvantage
•American could not find their way in
the jungles
•The Climate and environment was
foreign
•The enemy was not playing by any
rules
•Getting frustrated we became
desperate and attacking and firing
EVERYONE
•Anti-American feelings grew and
so did the Vietcong
The Affect at Home
America was NOT impressed with what was going on!
The press acted as eyes and showed the people what was REALLY going on and exposing the administration
A huge anti-war movement surged through the country
*Some people believed that Vietnamese should settle their own affairs without US involvement.
•People could not understand why we were messing with a nation so far away
•Some people objected to war period
•Some preferred that their tax dollars be spent on something more important
•Some were afraid the war would turn into a nuclear one
•Many people with loved ones in the army just wanted them back home
SOUND FAMILIAR?
Many young people burned their draft cards in protest and fled to Canada
Fighting on a New Level
January 30, 1968 The North Vietnamese and Vietcong launched the Tet Offensive
FIGHTING ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE.
 We knew then that this war could never be won ……peace talks have to happen
…And now its YOUR problem
President Johnson opted to not run for re-election
Richard Nixon was elected president.
The plan was to “Gradually withdraw troops...hoping this would
result in a stable, non-communist South Vietnam.”
However, Nixon has another secret plan BOMBING CAMBODIA,
without telling the public, Congress, even military generals until a
year later.
Upon being informed of Nixon’s abuse of power Congress
repealed (canceled) the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.
Passed “War Powers Act” president can only send troops for a
max of 60 days before seeking Congressional approval
Protest
► In response to the bombings
of Cambodia and Laos
Americans began a wave of
anti-demonstrations
► National Guard troops
reported to Kent State
University to stop a anti-war
protest
► The National Guard fired at
random at the American
students. Killing/Wounding 13
bystanders. Kent State
Massacre
►A similar incident happened
in Mississippi. The Military is
abusing their power.
Paris Peace Accords
► Both sides would lay down their arms
► U.S would withdraw all troops, military personal and advisors
► The U.S would contribute to reconstruction
► Prisoners of war would be released and sent home
The End Of the War?
1975 The fall of Saigon to North Vietnamese troops
Military evacuated
100,000 refugees fled to the United States
April 30, 1975 South Vietnamese surrendered
- The North and the South were reunited a year later
The Lost of Lives…
3 to 4 million Vietnamese from both sides
1.5 to 2 million Laotians and Cambodians
58,159 U.S. soldiers.