Ho Chi Minh
• Between 1954 and 1959, communist forces, led by Ho Chi Minh gained support in Vietnam and tried to take over North Vietnam.
• As part of the policy of containment the US wanted to prevent communists from taking over South Vietnam.
• This is an example of the Domino Theory
• American involvement in Vietnam began in 1959, with US troops playing a supporting role to the South Vietnamese.
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
• In 1965, two American ships were attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin. The US used this to increase their involvement in Vietnam.
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (1965)
1) The U.S. claimed that N. Vietnamese boats had fired upon U.S. warships in the Gulf of Tonkin
2) Many believe that this was a lie to get the U.S. public to support the war in Vietnam
3) President Lyndon B. Johnson began to send many more U.S. troops to Vietnam
Guerilla Warfare
When the enemy forces are greatly spread out and hidden. They rely on ambushes and speed.
Guerrilla forces most frequently use mines, snipers, and ‘booby traps.’
• US troops faced numerous problems…– Underground tunnel complexes– A devoted enemy– An uncooperative local population– An enemy who could blend into the
uncooperative population– Remote locations– Hot and rainy weather– Long distances to travel– Lack of popular support for the war– Resistance to the draft
– Need I go on?
• Vietnamese forces were hard to identify.
• Troops called Vietcong dressed like civilians and could easily blend in with civilians.
The Tet Offensive
• In early 1968, the Vietcong launched an attack called the Tet Offensive.
• Even though they lost many men, it was important because it showed Americans that the Vietnamese were not going to give up.
• Huge peace protests in 1971 on the Mall in Washington DC raised many questions about the number of US casualties and what America’s exit strategy was.
• Many groups, such as poor people and African-Americans opposed the war because they felt it was “a rich man’s war and a poor man’s fight”
• President Nixon oversaw the eventual withdrawal of American troops by 1973.
• He wanted the South Vietnamese to take over control of the fighting.
Vietnamization
1) “Vietnamization” = policy that gradually withdrew American troops and replaced them with S. Vietnamese troops
The End of the Vietnam War
• With American troops gone North Vietnam took over South Vietnam by 1975.
The Cost of the Vietnam War
• The longest war America fought and the first one it loses.
• 58.000 American Dead
• 2-4 million Vietnamese dead.
“Fortunate Son” – Credence Clearwater Revival
• Some folks are born made to wave the flag,ooh, they're red, white and blue.And when the band plays "Hail To The Chief",oh, they point the cannon at you, Lord,
It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no senator's son,It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate one, no,
• Some folks are born silver spoon in hand,Lord, why don't they help themselves? oh.But when the taxman come to the door,Lord, the house look a like a rummage sale, yes,
It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no millionaire's son, no, no.It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate one, no.
• Yeh, some folks inherit star spangled eyes,ooh, they send you down to war, Lord,And when you ask them, how much should we give, oh, they only answer, more, more, more, yoh,
It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no military son, SON, NOIt ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate one, NO NO
Vietnam Veterans
1) Unlike veterans of World War II, who returned to a grateful and supportive nation, Vietnam veterans returned often to face indifference or outright hostility from many who opposed the war