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War in Vietnam

War in Vietnam . Chapter 30. Origins of War . Ho Chi Minh and Communist army win independence from France Geneva Accords - Split North communist – South Free (United States) Ngo Dinh Diem took control of South in ’55 Anti-Communist Anti-Buddhist – Pro-Catholic.

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War in Vietnam

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  1. War in Vietnam Chapter 30

  2. Origins of War • Ho Chi Minh and Communist army win independence from France • Geneva Accords - Split • North communist – South Free (United States) • Ngo Dinh Diem took control of South in ’55 • Anti-Communist • Anti-Buddhist – Pro-Catholic

  3. Monks protesting the harsh treatment of Buddhists under Diem

  4. Origins of War continued… • Communists in the south organize and form the Vietcong • US had big fear of the Domino Theory – one country falls many will follow • Kennedy sends troops to help the south • Nov. 1, 1963 the South Vietnamese army staged a coup – overthrow the government • Assassinated Diem

  5. Conflict Continues • President Lyndon B. Johnson takes over after the death of JFK • Sec. of Defense Robert McNamara • “I don’t think it’s worth fighting for, but I don’t think we can get out.” • US ships attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin • LBJ now has a good reason to fight • US involvement begins to escalate – gradually increase • 180,000 in ’65 to 500,000 in ‘67

  6. Combat in Vietnam • Guerilla Warfare – jungles, tunnels, trails • Ho Chi Minh Trail – main supply route • The US began search – and – destroy missions – find the enemy and wipe them out • Backed by jets and helicopters • Napalm – liquid fire • Agent Orange – herbicide - chemical warfare • North Vietnamese/Vietcong frustrated the US by constantly out numbering them • Pres. Johnson – “Can we win this war?”

  7. Ho Chi Minh Trail

  8. Napalm

  9. Napalm Victims

  10. Agent Orange Victims

  11. Southeast Asia Map

  12. Generation Gap • A fight between young and old over the Vietnam War • Counterculture – a movement that rejected traditional values • Long hair, torn blue jeans, Rock N’ Roll

  13. The Draft • All men must register at 18 years old • Some believed if you stop the draft you can stop the war • Protests of burning draft cards • Congress made it illegal • Draft Dodgers • Question: Do you think the draft is a good idea? What problems could come up with soldiers who are drafted?

  14. Doves vs. Hawks • Doves – anti-war • Hawks – pro-war • “Is this war a mistake?” • Anti-War movement quickly grows • Soldiers that did serve • Many were ethnic minorities • Average age was 6 years younger than the soldiers in WWII

  15. Attack on American Ships • Jan. 23, 1968 USS Pueblo, a US spy ship and its crew are captured • This attack shocked America • “A US boat had been defeated”

  16. The Tet Offensive • Jan 31, 1968 (Vietnamese New Year - Tet) • North Vietnamese/Vietcong targeted southern bases and major cities (Saigon) • Vietcong drove deep into southern territory • America launched a strong counter attack and was able to push the Vietcong north • Major turning point in the war • Why? • 1st war shown on live television

  17. My Lai Massacre Death of 350-500 unarmed civilians in 1968 by US soldiers Huge cover up by military

  18. Response in America • Americans began to lose faith • The Gov’t developed a credibility gap – fewer people trusted their statements • Johnson ordered reevaluation of the war • “new step towards peace,” Bombings stopped

  19. Nixon’s New Plan • Nixon wins election of 1968 • “Peace with Honor” • Draft Reform • Vietnamization – South Vietnamese army would take over more of the fighting • More bombing in Cambodia and Laos • Kept a secret to the American People • Civil War

  20. Protests • Kent State • Student burned down a military building • 17 students shot – 4 killed, “Reasons that are unclear” • Jackson state – police shot and killed 2

  21. “Peace is at Hand” • Removal of over 450,000 US troops • 1st peace talks failed • South Vietnamese president did not want Northern troops in his country • Nixon reelected • One final round of bombings • Jan. 27, 1973 – Peace Treaty signed

  22. North Vietnam Continues • North Vietnamese army does not stop • Saigon fell on April 20, 1975 • Communism takes over Vietnam

  23. Legacy of the War • 1.4 million Vietnamese died • 58,000 Americans died – 300,000 wounded • 2.7 million served • No hero’s welcome • Many MIA’s (Missing in Action) – never found • Vietnam War Memorial

  24. Opinion • Do you think that this war was worth fighting? Why or Why Not? • If you were president what would you have done differently? • In your opinion, what makes a war worth fighting?

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