TOPIC 17: the Vietnam war era

1. 1954-1975 TOPIC 17:the Vietnam war era 17.1: the cold war and Vietnam

2. Kennedy Strives to Win the Cold War John Kennedy's 1960 campaign stressed the need for the United States to move forward with vigor and determination. Kennedy argued that during the Eisenhower years America had lost ground in the Cold War struggle against communism. He pointed to the new communist regime under Fidel Castro in Cuba and charged that there was now a “missile gap” that left the U.S. nuclear missile force inferior to that of the Soviet Union. The first goal of the Kennedy administration would be to build up the nation’s armed forces.

4. Kennedy Responds to Communism in Cuba In 1959, Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro succeeded in overthrowing the regime of Fulgencio Batista. Initially, the United States attempted to cultivate good relations with Castro. However, it soon became clear that the Cuban leader was determined to nationalize land held by U.S. citizens, enforce radical reform measures, and accept Soviet economic and military aid. Thousands of wealthy and middle-class Cubans fled their country, many settling in Miami and southern Florida. Proud of their heritage and deeply anticommunist, they made new lives for themselves and their families in the United States.

6. Based on the information in the map, what factors might have influenced President Kennedy's decision to launch the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba, in 1961?

7. The Causes and Outcomes of the Berlin Crisis Since 1958, Khrushchev wanted to sign a peace treaty that would put the western zones of Berlin under control of East Germany. His actions were motivated by the steady flow of skilled East German workers into West Berlin. Desiring to show his strength, Kennedy stood firm on America’s commitment to defending the rights of West Berliners and West Germans. At a conference in Vienna in June 1961, Kennedy and Khrushchev focused on Berlin as the key issue. Khrushchev called the present situation “intolerable.”

8. Reasons for U.S. Involvement in Indochina Presidents Kennedy and Johnson shared a vision for a better America in the 1960s. They also shared a vision for a better world in which America would emerge victorious from its Cold War struggle against global communism. As part of this strategic and ideological battle, the United States established a new line of defense against communism in Vietnam. The conflict in Southeast Asia would grow to be one of the most costly wars in American history.

10. Based on the information in this map, which regions of present-day Vietnam were particularly dangerous for French forces?

11. Ho Chi Minh was a revolutionary leader who fought against French occupation. Later, he became the prime minister, then president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam).

12. Based on the graphic, were U.S. leaders concerned about the spread of communism only in Southeast Asia or did they fear it would spread worldwide?

13. The graphic shows the international chain reaction that American strategists of the 1950s most feared. Were these strategists justified in their concern about the spread of communism? Explain.

14. The United States Responds to Communism in Vietnam During the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, France appealed to the United States for military support. President Eisenhower was willing to supply money but not soldiers. Ike would not commit American troops to defend colonialism in Asia. Nevertheless, the President firmly supported the new anticommunist government of South Vietnam.

16. Quiz: Kennedy Strives to Win the Cold War Which defense policy did President Kennedy favor? A. nuclear attack B. flexible response C. massive retaliation D. diplomatic consideration B. flexible response

17. Quiz: Kennedy Responds to Communism in Cuba What was the effect of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty? A. It ended aboveground nuclear tests. B. It prohibited all testing of nuclear weapons. C. It limited the production of nuclear weapons. D. It authorized nuclear tests in specific countries. A. It ended aboveground nuclear tests.

18. Quiz: The Causes and Outcomes of the Berlin Crisis Why did President Kennedy want to defend the freedom of West Berlin? A. He considered its resources important to the U.S. economy. B. He hoped to prevent a war between East Berlin and West Berlin. C. He considered it critical to defending western Europe from communism. D. He wanted to negotiate an agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union. C. He considered it critical to defending western Europe from communism.

19. Quiz: Reasons for U.S. Involvement in Indochina Why did the United States support French colonial efforts in Vietnam? A. to strengthen nationalist efforts in Vietnam B. to help preserve French colonialism in Vietnam C. to ensure French support of the United States during the Cold War D. to reward France for its support of the United States in previous conflicts C. to ensure French support of the United States during the Cold War

20. Quiz: The United States Responds to Communism in Vietnam What was the primary goal of the Vietcong? A. to replace Soviet communism with democracy in North Vietnam B. to unite North Vietnam and South Vietnam by way of a compromise C. to undermine the anticommunist Diem government in South Vietnam D. to reverse the anti-Buddhist legislation passed by the Diem administration C. to undermine the anticommunist Diem government in South Vietnam

21. The Vietnam War was one of the most tragic events of the cold war. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers served in Vietnam and billions of dollars were spent on the war effort.

22. Over time, many Americans questioned the extend of U.S. involvement in this faraway conflict. As we continue in this chapter, think about the war and other issues that caused deep divisions within American society.

23. Geneva Conference An international conference in 1954 in which Vietnam was divided into two nations.

24. Viet Cong A force of Communist guerrillas in South Vietnam who, with North Vietnamese support, fought against the South Vietnamese government in the Vietnam War

25. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution 1964 Congressional resolution authorizing President Johnson to take military action in Vietnam

26. August 2, 1964: the U.S.S. Maddox was attacked by torpedo boats in the Gulf of TonkinA second attack was reported two days later on the U.S.S. Turner Joy and U.S.S Maddox in the same area.The next day, Congress approved the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

27. The resolution gave the President the power to “take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the U.S. and prevent further aggression.” U.S.S. Madox PresidentJohnson

28. 3:49 minutes Gulf of Tonkin

29. According to the Geneva Accords, what was to take place in Vietnam in 1956? Many Americans were sent by Eisenhower to assist Diem. What did the advisors do. Diem was unable to become a successful leader. Name two reasons why this was true. What were conditions like in North Vietnam? How did the Vietminh react to the news that the elections had been cancelled? What was the name of the group of South Vietnamese who rebelled against the government? How did the North Vietnamese support the revolt in the South? What did President Kennedy believe that the South Vietnamese government needed to do to defeat the rebels? In 1963 what religious group criticized Diem and then was persecuted by him? Who overthrew Diem’s government in 1963 and then executed him?

30. What was the name of the trail by which North Vietnam supplied the Viet Cong rebels? What was the name of the Secretary of Defense who warned President Johnson in 1963 that the fall of South Vietnam was imminent? In what body of water was the Maddox allegedly attacked by North Vietnamese patrol boats? What resolution was passed by Congress as a result of this attack? What did the resolution give President Johnson the authority to do? What was Operation Rolling Thunder? What did President Johnson want Operation Rolling Thunder to accomplish? Why did President Johnson believe that the U.S. military would easily defeat the Viet Cong? In 1964 did most Americans agree with Johnson’s actions? What happened to U.S. troop levels in Vietnam from 1965 to 1968?

31. escalation Expansion by stages, as from a limited or local conflict into a general, especially nuclear, war

32. Ho Chi Minh Trail Supply route that carried troops and supplies from North Vietnam to South Vietnam

34. Main Idea The United States entered the Vietnam War to defeat Communist forces threatening South Vietnam.

35. Q: Why were American soldiers sent to fight in Vietnam? American leaders felt that if Vietnam fell to the Communists, there could be a Communist takeover of the rest of the world.

36. Q: What specific events led to an increase in American involvement in Vietnam in 1964? Gulf of Tonkin Incident and Johnson’s Reelection

37. Q: Look at the picture on p. 619 of Buddhist monks protesting Ngo Dinh Diem’s government by burning themselves to death on the streets of Saigon. How does this symbolize the difficult problems Johnson inherited in Vietnam? It shows the unpopularity of the United States-backed Diem among its own people

38. Q: Why did the U.S. get more and more involved in the conflict in Vietnam? Fears of communism spreading throughout the region. Presidents also used real and alleged incidents (events) to step up American involvement.

39. Q: Review the timeline on p. 617. Which event do you think affected Kennedy’s viewpoint on Vietnam the most? Explain. Possible Answer: 1963—military coup (overthrow) of Diem, because Kennedy realized the struggle could not be won under Diem’s rule

40. Q: What do you think Johnson hoped to gain by authorizing the bombing of targets in North Vietnam in 1965? Possible Answer: The escalation of war and increased American involvement

41. 1954-1975 TOPIC 17:the Vietnam war era 17.2: AMERICA’S ROLE ESCALATES

42. William Westmoreland From 1964 to 1968 was the commander of U.S. forces in the Vietnam War.

43. napalm jellied gasoline dropped in canisters that explode on impact and cover large areas in flame; dropped by U.S. planes during the Vietnam War

44. Napalm: WHAT: Highly flammable chemical used in firebombing attacks; HOW: dropped from U.S. planes during Vietnam War WHY: to burn away vegetation and expose Viet Cong hideouts

45. Escalation of Forces in Vietnam After the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, President Johnson began to shift U.S. military efforts in Vietnam into high gear. But America’s leaders and soldiers soon found themselves stuck in a deadly quagmire with no quick victory in sight. The war began to weaken the economy, divide the American people, and erode the nation’s morale.

47. An American B-52 bombs North Vietnamese supply lines and military installations in Operation Rolling Thunder. Make Predictions Would the superior firepower of the United States determine the outcome of the war?

48. Based on the information in the map, what advantage did the Ho Chi Minh Trail give the Vietcong?

49. What does the data reveal about the war during the years 1965 to 1968?

50. Patriotism, Heroism, and Sinking Morale For American soldiers in the field, the Vietnam War presented difficult challenges that demanded courage and patience. Unlike World War II, the Vietnam War did not emphasize territorial acquisition. The United States and its allies did not invade North Vietnam, march on Ho Chi Minh’s capital of Hanoi, or attempt to destroy the communist regime. As in the Korean War, the United States was wary of triggering both Chinese and Soviet entry into the conflict. Instead, U.S. forces supported the survival and development of South Vietnam, which was besieged by the Vietcong and their North Vietnamese allies. In this fight, U.S. troops could never fully tell their friends from their enemies. Yet from the outset, they faced the dangers of Vietnam’s battlefields with dedication and bravery.