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Overview of the Vietnam War

Learn about the Vietnam War spanning from colonial rule to the fall of Saigon, with key events, players, and impact of this tumultuous conflict on the region and beyond.

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Overview of the Vietnam War

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  1. Overview of the Vietnam War

  2. Colonial Roots of Vietnam • 1850s-1940s: French colony (Indochina—Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia) • WWII: invaded by Japan • After WWII: France tries to retake Indochina w/U.S. help (1945-1954) • France abandons Vietnam after defeat at Dienbienphu

  3. U.S. Involvement/Goals • Truman supports “containment” of communism • Domino theory in region—1954 Eisenhower • Geneva Accords—Vietnam independence from France, splits in 2, U.S. takes France’s place

  4. North Vietnam Ho Chi Minh Communist Vietminh (political party of independence) South Vietnam Ngo Dinh Diem Republic of Vietnam (some Vietminh) Supported by U.S. Vietcong (communist group just in South)

  5. Vietnamese “Insurgents” Advantages • View war as struggle for independence against foreign invaders • Knew terrain & people • Were more willing to be patient and sustain high casualties • Need to fight only to a stalemate

  6. Escalation of “Conflict” • 1964—Tonkin Gulf Resolution—no war declared, troops sent • Pres. Johnson escalates war • 1965-1st sustained bombing of North Vietnam • 1965-Anti-war protests begin

  7. - Operation Rolling Thunder- Winning the “Hearts & Minds” of the South Vietnamese- Role of the Media-‘It became necessary to destroy the town to save it.”-Johnson’s “Credibility gap”

  8. LBJ & “Credibility Gap”

  9. The New Left • Young radical political activists • Free Speech Movement (1964) • Pursued the rights of students to engage in political activity (UC Berkeley and SF State) • Anti-War Cause • Used “teach ins” to discuss the moral political aspects of the Vietnam War (University of Michigan) • Protested end of automatic deferments in 1966 • Draft card burnings/Draft evasion • Counter-Culture/Hippies differ from New Left, though lines between 2 blurred

  10. The Downfall: 1968 • January: Tet Offensive • Feb: My Lai Massacre • March: LBJ decides not to seek re-election • April: MLK assassinated • June: RFK assassinated • August: Riots at Dem. Convention • November: Nixon elected president

  11. 1968 Election Eugene McCarthy, Robert Kennedy & Hubert Humphrey all vie for Democratic Nomination after LBJ pulls out unexpectedly

  12. ’68 Chicago Democratic Convention

  13. Republican Richard Nixon triumphs with promises of “Peace With Honor” & appeals to the “Silent Majority” • Conservative backlash to “Tumult” of the 1960s • “New Federalism”

  14. Vietnam War Under Nixon • 1969: Nixon—policy of Vietnamization • 1969: Lottery Draft System • 1970: Secret Bombing of Cambodia (1971-Laos) • 1970: Kent StateMassacre

  15. End of the War • 1971: Pentagon Papers • 1971: Voting Age=18 • 1973: Troops Withdraw & War Powers Act Passed • 1975: Fall of Saigon • 1977— draft dodgers pardoned; draft ends

  16. Longest war in U.S. history indirect involvement of intelligence and $ (1945-1964) direct military involvement in 1964-1975 $140 billion spent on war 58,000 American troops killed, 365,000 wounded Vietnamese totals: 1.5 million killed Presidents involved: Truman, Eisenhower, JFK, LBJ, Nixon Vietnam War Totals

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