The War in Vietnam

1. The War in Vietnam The Second Indochina War 1965 (ish) -1975

3. Ho Chi Minh • In 1945 there was a terrible famine in Vietnam- lost almost 2 million out of 8 million people • Ho Chi Minh b. 1890- left his country to work • Pleaded for his country’s independence at the Treaty of Versailles • Name means “one who enlightens” • Began an effort to get rice to the starving people and helped downed pilots in WWII

4. After WWII • French colony regained in Vietnam • Spring 1947 U.S. committed to policy of containment and believed that Ho Chi Minh was a communist. • Gave direct aid to France • Ho Chi Minh had asked Truman for help-according to the Truman Doctrine, but Truman ignored him • By 1952 U.S. was funding 80% of the war for the French • Ho Chi Minh and the Viet minh organize to defeat the French. • Viet Minh win decisively at Dien Bien Phu 1954. • Terms of peace treaty split country at 17th parallel at the Geneva Conference French in the South Ho Chi Minh in the North Elections to take place in 2 years to unite country • U.S. was not a part of the Geneva Accords

5. Elections • After 2 years elections took place • In the North Ho Chi Minh won • In the South Ngo Dinh Diem won • Problems with Diem- He was a Catholic in a Buddhist country, he left the country as a youth and ended up at a Seminary in N.J. • Became religious and lectured about Vietnam • U.S. saw him as the perfect person to be in charge in S. Vietnam • Why he wasn’t: • He was the wrong religion, he was an aristocrat with an elitist mentality, he thought of himself as an emperor not a president, and he was tainted with American support

6. North Communist Backed by USSR and China Govt led by Ho Chi Minh (“Uncle Ho”) Spy for US OSS during WWII, became increasingly totalitarian. Experienced, motivated army (NVA) led by Giap. South Semi-democratic Backed by US Govt led by Diem Corrupt and filled with family-members Favoritism for Catholics angered Buddhist majority. Overthrown by group of generals in Nov ‘63. Unreliable, conscript army (ARVN) Viet Congguerillas. North vs South

7. John F. Kennedy in Vietnam • 1961 Kennedy approved more aid to Diem - 1963 - 16,000 advisors were in Vietnam • Diem lacked support – harsh leader – Jailed many, oppressed Buddhism (he was Catholic) • Buddhist monks and nuns began to burn themselves in the streets to protest his rule (“self-immolation”) • Kennedy ordered a coup against Diem - Diem was assassinated Nov. 2nd , 1963 - Kennedy was assassinated Nov. 22nd

9. Lyndon Johnson’s War Policy • Wanted to contain Communism in Vietnam but downplayed Vietnam in 1964 election • As North Vietnamese (Vietminh) gained ground, LBJ planned to send more troops

10. LBJ Continued … • Gulf of Tonkin Resolution – 1964 - LBJ said US destroyers were attacked in a neutral area of the gulf - Asked Congress to allow him to act - The resolution gave him power to send troops to Vietnam without declaring war

11. Escalation • Due to Communist success, more troops were sent to Vietnam under LBJ • General Westmoreland asked for more troops in early 1965 - 25,000 troops in early 1965 - 184,000 by late 1965 • U.S. supported S. Vietnamese leaders: Nguyen Cao Ky and Nguyen Van Thieu - they were not a corrupt as Diem, but still authoritarian

12. Ho Chi Minh Trail • Route used by the North to get supplies to their supporters (Vietcong) in the south • Trail went through Laos and Cambodia

13. Tet Offensive • Tet is the Vietnamese New Year • January 30th, 1968 – Surprise attack by the North Vietnamese • Major cities and U.S air bases were attacked - Took almost a month for south to regain control of cities • N.V. losses were great, but it was a morale boost and psychological victory for them • More in U.S. began to oppose the war

15. Brutality of War • At first soldiers were enthusiastic due to Cold War propaganda, but conditions were harsh and confusing • Battlefield Conditions - Jungle fighting - leeches, fever, jungle rot - Guerrilla fighting – ambush attacks, booby traps, tunnels and landmines • Vietcong – South Vietnamese who supported the North - Women and children had guns, grenades, etc. - Could not tell allies from enemies since many in the south were U.S. enemies as well

16. Tunnel System • The North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong ( NVA special unit) developed an extensive system of tunnels that went approximately 155 miles. • The NVA and Viet Cong would develop these tunnels directly under U.S. Forts and Camps so they could sneak into the U.S. areas and stealitems.

18. The tunnels were so extensive that they had a complete hospital, kitchen, sleeping areas, access to water, and the V.C. would even take apart a U.S. tank, and re-assemble it under ground. • Not only were they clever in their tunnel system, but they were also very resourceful in their weapons.

19. The NVA and VC would collect the unexploded bombs, and grenades from the U.S. and South Vietnamese Army, and together with our literal garbage of coke cans and bottles, they would create new bombs to use against the U.S. and South Vietnamese forces.

21. Saturation Bombing • Began in April of 1966 • U.S. B-52 bombers dropped 1,000 of tons of bombs over large areas

24. Agent Orange and Napalm • Agent Orange - herbicide (chemical defoliant) dropped by pilots to kill jungle vegetation - Poisoned water, killed animals, caused birth defects, and other health issues • Napalm – jelly-like fire bomb - Burned extensive areas of land and people

25. Effects on Civilians • Were often killed as collateral damage - Bombings hit large areas - Search and destroy missions killed thousands • Refugees fled to nearby countries • Sickened by chemical weapons - Birth defects and badly burned bodies

26. My Lai Massacre • March 16th, 1968 • U.S. troops were looking for Vietcong - Village of only women, children and old men • Lt. William Calley ordered all prisoners to be killed - 174-400 civilians were killed • U.S. helicopter pilots stopped the attack • Massacre was uncovered by NY Times in Nov. of 1969 • U.S. public was appalled - More began to turn against the war • Calley received 20 years in prison – served 3 years

28. Student Activism

29. StudentActivism • Civil Rights movement was the model for the anti-war movement – Students already had a history of getting involved • New Left -- saw problems with poverty and racism in the U.S. and called for radical change - Saw war as a “poor man’s war” • Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and Free Speech Movement (FSM) were leaders in early protests

30. Resistance to the Draft • Selective Service – drafted 18-26 year old men • Many began to see the practice as unfair -College students obtained deferments - Would not have to serve until they finished college • Minoritieswere drafted in much greater numbers • Draft protests began by SDS - Protest marches (200,000 in Washington, D.C.) - Burned draft cards - Vandalized draft offices

31. Draft Resistance continued… • Many found ways of getting out of the draft - Conscientious Objectors - Injured themselves, claimed mental illness, etc. - Moved to Canada - Went to jail instead (6 months to 5 years)

32. Johnson’s Departure • 1968 – Election year • Johnson refused to withdraw troops - Largest anti-war protests in history took place this year • Eugene McCarthy and Robert Kennedy would run against LBJ as fellow democratic candidates - Johnson saw that he had lost the support of the party - March 1968 LBJ decided not to run for re-election as President - May of 1968 Paris Peace Talks began

33. Richard Nixon Elected • Robert Kennedy assassinated – June 1968 • Protests at Democratic Convention in Chicago due to the war • Republican Richard Nixon won the election of 1968 - Promised to end the war; said he had a “secret plan”

34. Vietnamization • Nixon’s plan to withdraw U. S. troops and turn the war over to the South Vietnamese - 1968 – 543,000 troops in Vietnam - 1972 - 39,000 troops in Vietnam • Bombing intensified as troops withdrew - much of this was unknown to the U.S. public

35. Bombing of Cambodia • 1969 - Nixon ordered secret bombing of Cambodia to block N. Vietnamese movements • April 1970 ordered invasion of Cambodia - Laos was also impacted • New wave of anti-war protests swept across college campuses

36. Kent State and Jackson State • May 4th National Guard were sent to Kent State, Ohio - Students had been protesting and burned the ROTC building on campus - Students threw rocks and tear gas canisters at guardsmen - Guardsmen fired on students - 4 are killed and 9 wounded • 10 days later similar events take place at Jackson State, Mississippi - 2 killed and 12 wounded – Mostly African American school – did not get as much press as Kent State • The nation was divided on the issue of Vietnam and government policy – some think the students got what they deserved, others were appalled that this could happen in America

39. Paris Peace Talks - Success • 1971 - 60% of Americans thought we should withdraw from Vietnam • Henry Kissinger was sent to preside over ongoing peace talks • Massive bombing continues • January 27, 1973 agreement made - U.S. to withdraw over 60 day period - POWswould be released - Fighting would stop in Laos and Cambodia - 17th Parallel would separate N. and S. Vietnam • March 29th -- the last U.S. troops left Vietnam

40. Fall of South Vietnam • Two years of civil war continued after the U.S. pulled out • April 29th, 1975, U.S. helped evacuate U.S. and Vietnamese personnel from Saigon – the capitol • April 30th -- North Vietnamese took over the entire country -- Fall of Saigon • Today Vietnam is one united Communist nation

42. Legacy of the Vietnam Warfor the U.S. • Longest and least successful war in U.S. history - U.S. losses: 58,000 dead and 365,000 wounded, 2,500 P.O.Ws & M.I.A. - Mental and physical illness seen in returning soldiers - Some returned addicted to drugs - More vets committed suicide than were killed in the war - Cost of $150 billion dollars - Caused debt and inflation NO WELCOME HOME PARADE! • Public distrust of elected officials • Vietnam Wall built in 1982 to heal the nation - there was controversy over the monument, but many find it a cathartic experience to visit the Wall and see the name of their lost loved one or buddy.

46. Legacy for Vietnam • The Vietnamese had millions killed and wounded - More bombs were dropped on Vietnam than in Europe in all of WWII • Land destroyed • Illness due to Agent Orange • Refugees fled country –people scattered to other parts of Southeast Asia, to France, and to the US