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Vietnam War: A Decade of Sacrifice and Struggle

The Vietnam War was a major conflict with significant US involvement from 1964 to 1973. The war featured guerrilla tactics, a helicopter war, and tested the domino theory. Over 3.3 million Americans served, with 58,000 US fatalities. The draft caused controversy and opposition. Early involvement included the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and a ground war starting in 1965. Notable events like the Siege of Khe Sanh, Tet Offensive, My Lai Massacre, Vietnamization, and Cambodia Invasion shaped the war. The release of the Pentagon Papers revealed government deceit and sparked opposition. The war ended in 1975, leaving a divided America and lasting effects on veterans and Southeast Asia.

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Vietnam War: A Decade of Sacrifice and Struggle

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  1. THE VIETNAM WAR 1959 - 1975 major US involvement 1964 - 1973

  2. VIETNAM WAS DIFFERENT • Guerrilla tactics • Helicopter war • 9,000 miles away • Test of domino theory • “Living Room” war • Draft opposition

  3. US TROOP LEVELS 1964 = 23,300 1965 = 184,300 1966 = 385,300 1967 = 485,600 1968 = 536,100 1969 = 475,200 1970 = 334,600 1971 = 156,800 1972 = 24,200 1973 = 50 • 3.3 million total Americans served • 58,000 US killed

  4. THE DRAFT • Registration of 18 – 26 year olds • Average US serviceman = 19 years old • One year tours of duty • College deferments meant poor & minorities overrepresented – “working class war”

  5. EARLY US INVOLVEMENT • 1964: Gulf of Tonkin Resolution gives LBJ power to send combat troops • 3-yr bombing campaign using Napalm & Agent Orange • Ground war begins 1965 • War of attrition • Search and destroy missions = 3 mil refugees • “Hearts & Minds” campaign

  6. 1967: SIEGE OF KHE SAHN • Build up of troops on both sides summer 1967 • Siege of US Marine base by NV forces for 77 days • Massive air campaign launched by US • Base abandoned by US in July 1968; led to criticisms in media

  7. 1968: TET OFFENSIVE • Surprise attack on Tet (New Year Holiday) • 100 cities & US embassy attacked • Military loss for VC and NV • Public opinion loss for US • Westmoreland had said end in sight;“credibilitygap” for LBJ as people stop believing him • LBJ announces beginning of negotiations & says he will not run for second term

  8. 1968: MY LAI MASSACRE • US platoon search for VC rebels in village of My Lai • US troops shoot more than 300 civilians (women, children, elderly) • Cover-up by Army later reported by NY Times shocked American public • Many returning vets called “baby-killers”

  9. 1969: VIETNAMIZATION • Nixon takes presidency • Negotiations going nowhere • “Vietnamization” plan by Nixon & Kissinger to gradually withdraw US troops & train SV to take over • “Peace with honor” • Nixon gives secret order for bombing campaign against NV, Laos, and Cambodia while still negotiating

  10. 1970: CAMBODIA INVASION • Nixon announces US troops had invaded Cambodia to counter VC supply lines • Cambodia neutral • Congress not informed • College campus protests • Kent State students burn ROTC building • National Guard opens fire, kills 4, wounds 9 • Similar protest at Jackson State kills 2, wounds12

  11. 1971: PENTAGON PAPERS • 7,000 page Pentagon document • Showed gov. had planned invasion even as LBJ had promised not to send US troops • Showed gov. had no plan to end war • Leaked to New York Times

  12. OPPOSITION TO THE WAR • 1965: 61% support • 1971: 28% support • Hawks vs. Doves • Student-led organizations (Free Speech Movement, Students for a Democratic Society) • Rallies & marches, protest songs • Draft card burning, draft dodgers

  13. 1972-73: THE FINAL PUSH • North launches biggest attack since Tet • Nixon orders massive bombing campaign • Negotiations break down but agreement finally reached after Christmas bombings in 1972 • March 1973 last US troops withdrawn • Fall of Saigon in 1975 leads to evacuation of all Americans from Saigon

  14. AMERICA Loss of trust in leaders Inflation & tax increases Nation divided Veterans mistreated upon return home PTSD, suicide, drug & alcohol problems of veterans Domino Theory questioned War Powers Act SE ASIA Vietnamese “reeducation” work camps Vietnamese refugees Toxins, birth defects, other disease from napalm & agent orange Cambodian civil war & genocide AFTERMATH OF THE WAR

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