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Chapter 22 Section 2 Notes At War in Vietnam

Chapter 22 Section 2 Notes At War in Vietnam. 1964 Election (Nov). Vietnam is a major factor 2 candidates Republican candidate = Barry Goldwater Spoke very aggressively about war Possibly even with the Soviet Union Nukes? Democrat candidate = Lyndon Johnson

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Chapter 22 Section 2 Notes At War in Vietnam

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  1. Chapter 22 Section 2 NotesAt War in Vietnam

  2. 1964 Election (Nov) • Vietnam is a major factor • 2 candidates • Republican candidate = Barry Goldwater • Spoke very aggressively about war • Possibly even with the Soviet Union • Nukes? • Democrat candidate = Lyndon Johnson • Spoke more moderately about war • Wanted to contain communism • No mention of war with Russia • LBJ won easily • over 60% of popular vote

  3. LBJ increases U.S. involvement after election • #’s are in Sec 1 Notes • Public supports this at 1st • Believe in containment • Told it would be a short war • Military leaders wanted this • Robert McNamara • Secretary of Defense • Quits in 1967 when situation didn’t improve • General William Westmoreland • U.S. Commander in Vietnam • Unimpressed with S. Vietnamese military • 500,000 U.S. troops by end of 1967 McNamara briefing the press

  4. Main U.S. Advantage in Vietnam • Superior Military Technology! • Air power • Naval power • Tanks • Weapons • Chemicals

  5. 3 Main Disadvantages for U.S. in Vietnam • Guerilla War Tactics of the Vietcong • Mixing in and surprising U.S. troops • Vietcong’s better use and knowledge of the land • Got supplies along Ho Chi Minh Trail • China, Russia, NVA • Tunnel systems, land mines, booby traps, etc… • Determination of the Vietcong and NVA • Fighting for home turf • Way more deaths • Will not surrender

  6. The Vietnam war ended around 40 years ago, but for many Vietnamese, the realities of the war still linger. In the years since the fall of Saigon, over 45,000 Vietnamese have been killed or injured by landmines or explosives left behind from that conflict.

  7. 2 Major U.S. Strategies in Vietnam • Constantly bomb the North and areas where Vietcong are suspected to be at • Body Counts • Use press to publicize damages • Get South Vietnam’s rural population on their side • Take away recruiting from Vietcong

  8. U.S. Struggles to Get Rid of Vietcong 'It became necessary to destroy the town to save it', a United States major said today. He was talking about the decision by allied commanders to bomb and shell the town regardless of civilian casualties, to rout the Vietcong.[ • Burns down entire villages

  9. Napalm • An oil/jelly like mixture that is flammable • put into bomb casings (tumbles from sky) • can be sprayed in a stream • The residue sticks around afterwards and can burn skin if contacted • Used by U.S. against NVA and VC to expose hiding places • Burn the jungle

  10. Agent Orange • Chemical powder dropped from planes that killed large leafy vegetation • Not crops • Alternative to Napalm • Blamed for cancer and birth defects • Still occurring

  11. Rural Areas in South Vietnam in Ruins • Many VC die, but so do regular S. Vietnamese • Millions left homeless • Some went to cities • Some went to U.S. refugee centers • Some joined the Vietcong angry at U.S.

  12. Many U.S. Soldiers Effected • All the killing and destruction takes its toll • No end in sight despite big body count difference • Morale lowers • Some actively oppose the war (after discharged) • Some turn to alcohol and drugs as an escape • Marijuana most common… grew in the wild • Learn of U.S. POW’s (prisoners of war) treatment • Torture, poor conditions

  13. The Vietnam War’s Impact on the U.S. Economy • Inflation gets really high (triples) • Why? Less consumer goods available • (Lower Supply = Higher Prices) • Need tax $ to fund the war • Means less tax $ for programs at home • LBJ’s Great Society suffers

  14. Public Starts to ? Vietnam by 1967 • How? • Marches & Rallies • Veterans • College Students • Civil Rights leaders • Why? • Constant TV Coverage • 1st war covered nonstop • In U.S. and Vietnam… live • Influenced opinion with coverage • Credibility Gap created • U.S. officials said we were winning • Body Counts • Soldiers and Veterans told different stories

  15. Fulbright Investigations and Hearings(1966 – 1971) • U.S. Senator William Fulbright • Led investigations to make sure U.S. military was telling the truth about Vietnam and whether we should leave • The end were on TV • LBJ looked like a liar • Gradually influenced our withdrawal from Vietnam John Kerry (Future Senator, 2004 Pres. Candidate, & U.S. Sec. of State under Pres. Obama) at the Fulbright Hearings

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