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US Involvement in Vietnam Grows. johnson. After Gulf of _____________ Vietnam shifts into high gear. Operation rolling thunder. First major bombing campaign on the north Hoped it would convince the north to stop helping the Vietcong American soldiers moved beyond their “advisor” roles now.
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johnson • After Gulf of _____________ Vietnam shifts into high gear
Operation rolling thunder • First major bombing campaign on the north • Hoped it would convince the north to stop helping the Vietcong • American soldiers moved beyond their “advisor” roles now
William Westmoreland • General • In charge of S. Vietnam • Believed we needed more presence in Vietnam – more fighting in order to win • Believed it would “Americanize” the war
1965-1973 • 6 million tons of bombs dropped! • 3 times the amount in WWII
Napalm • Jellied gasoline – dropped in large canisters • Exploded creating massive flames • Clung to ANYTHING it touched! • Hard to put out!
Napalm • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or_9B677RXg&safe=active
Agent orange • Herbicide that killed plant life • Half of S. Vietnam sprayed at least once • Disrupt the enemy’s food supply • Causes cancer and other physical problems
1965 - 184,000 troops --- 636 Americans dead • 1968 – 550,000 troops --- 30,000 Americans dead
Vietcong • Fought small battles with the US • Jump out of foliage with grenades and rifles • Mostly fought at night
1965 • By now, most men had been drafted • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiZxCsZRPo4&safe=active
Anti-war movement emerges • By 1967, congress and US were divided • Hawks – those who supported Johnson • Supported containing communism • Accepted rising troop levels, cost and deaths
Doves – Liberals, pacifists, student radicals and Civil Rights leaders • Questioned the morality of the war • Many considered it a civil war in the US
Writing exercise In a two paragraph essay, answer the two questions and hand in. Each paragraph must answer one question. You may us the book on pages 537-543 to help you write your answers. • How were Communist combat tactics different from those of American troops? • What difficulties did American soldiers face in Vietnam? What effects did these difficulties have?