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Bellringer. Why would the United States want to get involved in a civil war in Vietnam? (Think Geography & Cold War Politics). Objective. I can analyze the events and policies that caused the US entry into Vietnam. The United States and Vietnam. Early Vietnam.
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Bellringer Why would the United States want to get involved in a civil war in Vietnam? (Think Geography & Cold War Politics)
Objective • I can analyze the events and policies that caused the US entry into Vietnam.
Early Vietnam • Controlled by France until WWII • Seized by Japan • Pushed for independence after the war
US and Vietnam Eisenhower sent in the Green Berets as “Peace Keepers in 1950s” JFK increased the troop count during his administration.
Ho Chi Minh • Leader of a nationalist movement in Vietnam • Founded the Vietminh
Domino Theory • The belief that if Vietnam fell to communism, all of southeast Asia would follow
Division of Vietnam • According to the Geneva Accords • Divided at the 17th parallel • Elections to be held in 1956 to unite the country
Hot Question #1 Would the US want free elections in Vietnam? Why or why not?
North Vietnam • Ho Chi Minh and the Vietminh controlled the north • Communist supporters
South Vietnam • Pro-western regime • Led by Ngo Dinh Diem • Supported by the U.S.
Vietnam Tension • Ho Chi Minh formed the National Liberation Front (NLF) to reunite the country • Guerrilla terrorist forces known as the Vietcong
Vietnam Tension • Johnson followed idea of global containment • “I am not going to lose Vietnam” • Intended to increase troops
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution • August 2, 1964 • North Vietnamese fired on U.S. destroyer Maddox… (Maybe?) • Congress gave Johnson a mandate to conduct operations in Vietnam
Vietnam Warfare • Vietcong used ambushes, booby traps and guerilla warfare in the thick Asian jungles
Vietnam Warfare • U.S. carried out search and destroy missions • Get rid of thick jungle hiding places by using napalm and Agent Orange (kills foliage)
Tet Offensive • January 1968 • Vietcong launched assaults on South Vietnam, nearly overran Saigon • Americans viewed war as unwinnable
Vietnam on TV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1vJqTN-qVI First major US war to be broadcast on TV People at home saw live pics of dead soldiers, horrific scenes of war, and combat between soldiers and civilians.
Whose the Enemy? No clear enemy, people want basic war questions answered. Who are we fighting? Why are we fighting? What is our end game? General Westmoreland (and president Johnson) has trouble answering these questions.
HQ #3 What do you think caused some of the Americans uneasiness about the Vietnam war in retrospect to WW I and II?
ES Q’s 1. Why did Johnson want to get involved in Vietnam? 2. What event caused the US to get drawn into Vietnam, militarily. 3. Why were citizens at home becoming skeptical of the war?