Why Did the United States Fight a War in Vietnam?

2. Why Did the United States Fight a War in Vietnam? • Basically to hold the line against the spread of world Communism.

3. Longest and Most Unpopular War • The Vietnam War was the longest and most unpopular war in American history. During the war: • 58,000 Americans lost their lives. • The oldest man killed was 62 years old; the youngest, 16. • 61% of the men killed were 21 or younger. • 304,000 were wounded. • 75,000 were severely disabled. • The United States spent over $200 billion dollars on the war.

4. The Geneva Peace Accords • In the North, a communist regime, supported by the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China, set up its headquarters in Hanoi under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh.

5. The Domino Theory • American policymakers developed the “Domino Theory” This theory stated, “If South Vietnam falls to the Communist, countries near them would fall like dominos. The Pacific Islands and even Australia could be at risk”.  

6. Opposition to Diem • Buddhist monks and nuns were joined by students, business people, professional workers, and poor workers in opposition to Diem’s corrupt rule.

7. Attack on American Ships • North Vietnam launched an attack against the C. Turner Joy and the U.S.S. Maddox, two American ships on call in the Gulf of Tonkin.

8. The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution • The Johnson administration used the August 4 attack to obtain the power to declare war.

9. Helicopters • Of all aircraft, thehelicopter was the most useful, dropping platoons in the jungle clearings and out again. They were excellent air ambulances.

10. North Vietnamese Tactics • Communists gave weapons to the poor. • Their weapons were cheap and reliable. • The AK47 assault rifle out-performed the American M16 • The portable rocket launcher took out many US vehicles & aircraft. • They recycleddud bombs dropped by the Americans. Deadly booby-traps could inflict huge damage on young American conscripts!

11. Tunnel Complexes • This protected them from the bombing raids by the Americans and gave them cover for attacking the invaders.

12. The War in America Johnson was forced to begin drafting young men to the war. All young men 18 yrs and old, could have been called to war (unless they were in college). If their draft card was pulled, they were forced to join the military to fight.

13. Anti-War Protests • Protests erupted on college campuses and in major cities at first, but by 1968 every corner of the country seemed to have felt the war's impact.

14. The Tet Offensive • Tet Offensive was extreme attacks on Americans. They did not stop until our president said he would take soldiers out of Veitnam.

15. The My Lai Massacre • A serious blow to U.S. integrity. We lost trust of millions. • In this village, 400 men, women and children were killed by US troops. 

16. The Paris Peace Agreement • On January 23, 1973 the peace agreement was signed but the war was not over.

18. The Fall to Communism • On the morning of April 30, Communist forces captured the presidential palace in Saigon, ending the Vietnam War. Communism won in Vietnam 

19. Why Did the United States Lose the Vietnam War? • They underestimated the North Vietnamese.  

20. The Americans could not stop the movement of troops or supplies to the south along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.  

21. The North Vietnamese conducted a “Peoples war” in which everyone played a part.

22. At first, most Americans supported the war. But by 1970, Americans were against it.

23. After 1969, troops wanted to leave. Many troops were “time-servers,” i.e., counted the days until the tour was over.

24. The US never really understood the culture of the Vietnamese people. Coca Cola, chewing gum, ball point pens, and ice cream cones could not dislodge their ancient beliefs.

25. America was not prepared to keep losing high numbers of casualties for such limited progress in a difficult jungle war, for which they were not suited.