Key Events Key Events of the of the

Vietnam WarVietnam War

Central IdeaCentral Idea

For the United For the United States the war States the war was first a was first a "crusade" then a "crusade" then a "challenge" and "challenge" and finally, a finally, a "burden.” "burden.”

Crusade Challenge Burden

1957-1964 1965-1969 1970-1976

HISTORICAL BACKGROUNDHISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Vietnam: Historical BackgroundVietnam: Historical Background

Vietnamese people resisted Vietnamese people resisted Chinese control for a millennium Chinese control for a millennium French colonialism in the 19French colonialism in the 19thth and 20 and 20thth century century U.S. power in the 20U.S. power in the 20thth century century

French colonial policies violently uprooted Vietnamese French colonial policies violently uprooted Vietnamese societysociety

Ho Chi Minh (1890-1969): “father of the Vietnamese Ho Chi Minh (1890-1969): “father of the Vietnamese revolution,” revolution,” Helped found the French Communist Party Helped found the French Communist Party organized the Vietminh (League for the Independence of Vietnam) organized the Vietminh (League for the Independence of Vietnam) During World War II the Vietminh worked to liberate Vietnam from During World War II the Vietminh worked to liberate Vietnam from

the Japanese: rescuing downed airmen and passing intelligence the Japanese: rescuing downed airmen and passing intelligence [Sources:[Sources:

The First Indochina War, 1946-1954The First Indochina War, 1946-1954

1946: outbreak of French-Vietminh war 1946: outbreak of French-Vietminh war Eight-year guerilla war, ended with decisive French defeat at Eight-year guerilla war, ended with decisive French defeat at

Dienbienphu in 1954Dienbienphu in 1954 By 1954 U.S. paid about three-quarters of the financial cost of By 1954 U.S. paid about three-quarters of the financial cost of

the French war against Ho Chi Minhthe French war against Ho Chi Minh Between 1950 and 1954 the U.S. gave $3 billion in aid to the FrenchBetween 1950 and 1954 the U.S. gave $3 billion in aid to the French U.S. sent 300 men as part of the Military Assistance Advisory GroupU.S. sent 300 men as part of the Military Assistance Advisory Group

April 5, 1954: President Eisenhower coined “domino theory”April 5, 1954: President Eisenhower coined “domino theory” Suggested that if one country in Asia became Communist others Suggested that if one country in Asia became Communist others

would fall toowould fall too Basis for US involvement in Southeast Asia to prevent the spread of Basis for US involvement in Southeast Asia to prevent the spread of

CommunismCommunism

THE CRUSADE AGAINST THE CRUSADE AGAINST COMMUNISM BEGINSCOMMUNISM BEGINS

The CrusadeThe Crusade

Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy make Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy make commitments to the French and then to commitments to the French and then to democratic forces in Vietnamdemocratic forces in Vietnam

US involvement begins mid-1950’s as part of US involvement begins mid-1950’s as part of US anti-communist foreign policy:US anti-communist foreign policy: ContainmentContainment Domino TheoryDomino Theory

Eisenhower and DiemEisenhower and Diem

American Military Divided o what kind of support to provideAmerican Military Divided o what kind of support to provide 1954 Geneva Conference: 1954 Geneva Conference:

Temporary division of Vietnam at 17Temporary division of Vietnam at 17thth parallel parallel National elections in 1956National elections in 1956

After 1955: U.S. supported government of Ngo Dinh Diem After 1955: U.S. supported government of Ngo Dinh Diem even though it had little support in South Vietnameven though it had little support in South Vietnam U.S. provided $300 million per year (mostly for South Vietnamese U.S. provided $300 million per year (mostly for South Vietnamese

military) military) US sent 740 uniformed soldiersUS sent 740 uniformed soldiers Diem refused to hold electionsDiem refused to hold elections

Illusion of Nation Building: military security over economic Illusion of Nation Building: military security over economic and political reformand political reform

Kennedy and DiemKennedy and Diem

JFK increased U.S. support to South VietnamJFK increased U.S. support to South Vietnam $41.1 million in military aid in 1961$41.1 million in military aid in 1961 Military advisors grew from 900 in 1961 to 16,700 in 1963Military advisors grew from 900 in 1961 to 16,700 in 1963

Strategic Hamlet Program (1961-64): Strategic Hamlet Program (1961-64): South Vietnamese peasants were uprooted and South Vietnamese peasants were uprooted and

concentrated in fortified villages to counter Vietcong concentrated in fortified villages to counter Vietcong political and military influence political and military influence

1963 Buddhist Crisis: self-immolation of Buddhist monks 1963 Buddhist Crisis: self-immolation of Buddhist monks to protest Diem’s brother who was head of the to protest Diem’s brother who was head of the government’s police and security forcesgovernment’s police and security forces

1963 Military Coup against Diem1963 Military Coup against Diem South Vietnamese killed both brothersSouth Vietnamese killed both brothers U.S. intelligence agents knew of plotting, but did not warn U.S. intelligence agents knew of plotting, but did not warn

DiemDiem

DEFEATING COMMUNISMDEFEATING COMMUNISM

ChallengeChallenge

Johnson vows a quick solution to growing Johnson vows a quick solution to growing communist strength in Vietnamcommunist strength in Vietnam

Growing anti-war sentiment follows the Growing anti-war sentiment follows the increasing body countincreasing body count

Greater losses and inability to “break” the Greater losses and inability to “break” the enemy frustrate soldiers, politicians and enemy frustrate soldiers, politicians and citizenscitizens

Gulf of Tonkin IncidentGulf of Tonkin Incident The Gulf of Tonkin Incident was a pair of alleged The Gulf of Tonkin Incident was a pair of alleged

attacks by North Vietnamese gunboats on two attacks by North Vietnamese gunboats on two American destroyers, the USS American destroyers, the USS MaddoxMaddox and the USS and the USS C. Turner JoyC. Turner Joy, in August of 1964 in the Gulf of Tonkin. , in August of 1964 in the Gulf of Tonkin.

Although information obtained well after the fact Although information obtained well after the fact indicates that there was actually no North indicates that there was actually no North Vietnamese attack that night, U.S. authorities and all Vietnamese attack that night, U.S. authorities and all of the crew at the time said they were convinced at of the crew at the time said they were convinced at the time that an attack had taken place. the time that an attack had taken place.

Gulf of Tonkin ResolutionGulf of Tonkin Resolution That the Congress approves and supports the determination of the That the Congress approves and supports the determination of the

President, as Commander in Chief, President, as Commander in Chief, to take all necessary measures to to take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggressionprevent further aggression. .

Section 2. The United States regards as vital to its national interest and to Section 2. The United States regards as vital to its national interest and to world peace the maintenance of international peace and security in world peace the maintenance of international peace and security in southeast Asia. Consonant with the Constitution of the United States and southeast Asia. Consonant with the Constitution of the United States and the Charter of the United Nations and in accordance with its obligations the Charter of the United Nations and in accordance with its obligations under the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty, the United States is, under the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty, the United States is, therefore, prepared, as the President determines, to take all necessary therefore, prepared, as the President determines, to take all necessary steps, including the use of armed force, to assist any member or protocol steps, including the use of armed force, to assist any member or protocol state of the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty requesting state of the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty requesting assistance in defense of its freedom. assistance in defense of its freedom.

Section 3. Section 3. This resolution shall expire when the President shall determine This resolution shall expire when the President shall determine that the peace and security of the area is reasonably assured by that the peace and security of the area is reasonably assured by international conditions created by action of the United Nations or international conditions created by action of the United Nations or otherwise, except that it may be terminated earlier by concurrent otherwise, except that it may be terminated earlier by concurrent resolution of the Congressresolution of the Congress. .

Escalating the warEscalating the warOperation Rolling ThunderOperation Rolling Thunder Operation Rolling Thunder was a Operation Rolling Thunder was a

bombing campaign that began on 24 bombing campaign that began on 24 February 1965 and lasted until the February 1965 and lasted until the end of October 1968. end of October 1968.

The campaign was designed to force The campaign was designed to force Ho Chi Minh to abandon his ambition Ho Chi Minh to abandon his ambition to take over South Vietnam. to take over South Vietnam.

The operation began primarily as a The operation began primarily as a diplomatic signal to impress the NV diplomatic signal to impress the NV with America’s determination with America’s determination

It was also intended to bolster the It was also intended to bolster the sagging morale of the South sagging morale of the South VietnameseVietnamese

America’s CommitmentAmerica’s Commitment

Support for South Vietnam increases Support for South Vietnam increases in cost and in troops.in cost and in troops.

McNamara and other Johnson policy McNamara and other Johnson policy makers now become focused on the makers now become focused on the need to prevent a Communist victory need to prevent a Communist victory in South Vietnam, believing it would in South Vietnam, believing it would damage the credibility of the U.S. damage the credibility of the U.S. globally. globally.

The war in Vietnam thus becomes a The war in Vietnam thus becomes a test of U.S. resolve in fighting test of U.S. resolve in fighting Communism Communism

America's prestige and President America's prestige and President Johnson's reputation are on the lineJohnson's reputation are on the line..

Battle of Khe SanBattle of Khe San Khe Sanh was a Khe Sanh was a United States MarinesUnited States Marines military base military base

in the in the Republic of VietnamRepublic of Vietnam ("the south") ("the south") near the border with near the border with LaosLaos and just south of the border and just south of the border

with with North VietnamNorth Vietnam became the scene of a large offensive operation by the became the scene of a large offensive operation by the

People's Army of VietnamPeople's Army of Vietnam (PAVN, also known as the (PAVN, also known as the North Vietnamese Army or NVA) and North Vietnamese Army or NVA) and US MarinesUS Marines in 1968. in 1968.

The defense of the base was codenamed The defense of the base was codenamed Operation Operation ScotlandScotland

Tet Offensive 1968Tet Offensive 1968 A series of crucial battles beginning on Jan. 31, 1968, the first A series of crucial battles beginning on Jan. 31, 1968, the first

day of the celebration of the lunar new year, Vietnam's most day of the celebration of the lunar new year, Vietnam's most important holidayimportant holiday

The Vietnamese Communists launched a major offensive The Vietnamese Communists launched a major offensive throughout South Vietnam. throughout South Vietnam.

It took weeks for U.S. and South Vietnamese troops to retake It took weeks for U.S. and South Vietnamese troops to retake all of the captured cities all of the captured cities

Although the offensive was not militarily successful for the Although the offensive was not militarily successful for the Vietnamese Communists, it was a political and psychological Vietnamese Communists, it was a political and psychological victory for them. victory for them.

It dramatically contradicted optimistic claims by the U.S. It dramatically contradicted optimistic claims by the U.S. government that the war had already been won. government that the war had already been won.

EVENTS IN VIETNAM AND AT HOME EVENTS IN VIETNAM AND AT HOME WORSENWORSEN

BurdenBurden

Nixon must bring about “peace without Nixon must bring about “peace without victory” as protests and violence at home victory” as protests and violence at home increases over the US involvement in Vietnam.increases over the US involvement in Vietnam.

Events at home like the Kent State shooting Events at home like the Kent State shooting and the riots at the Democratic Convention and the riots at the Democratic Convention become an outlet for generalized frustration become an outlet for generalized frustration over an extended war over an extended war

My Lai Massacre 1968 My Lai Massacre 1968

The The My Lai MassacreMy Lai Massacre was a massacre committed by was a massacre committed by U.S. soldiers on hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese U.S. soldiers on hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians, mostly women and children, on March 16, civilians, mostly women and children, on March 16, 1968, during the Vietnam War. 1968, during the Vietnam War.

Why?Why? Insurgents were sometimes housed and sheltered by Insurgents were sometimes housed and sheltered by

civilians, and American soldiers were frustrated with civilians, and American soldiers were frustrated with the complicity of the local people. the complicity of the local people.

On the eve of the attack, Charlie Company was On the eve of the attack, Charlie Company was advised by US military command that any genuine advised by US military command that any genuine civilians at My Lai would have left their homes to go civilians at My Lai would have left their homes to go to market by 7 a.m. the following day. to market by 7 a.m. the following day.

They were told that they could assume that all who They were told that they could assume that all who remained behind were either VC or active VC remained behind were either VC or active VC sympathizers. sympathizers.

They were instructed to destroy the village. They were instructed to destroy the village.

Outcome of Mai LaiOutcome of Mai Lai

Created world wide outrageCreated world wide outrage Weakened support for the war at homeWeakened support for the war at home Conviction of Lt. Calley (he served 4 ½ Conviction of Lt. Calley (he served 4 ½

months)months)

Pentagon Papers 1971Pentagon Papers 1971

Officially titled Officially titled United States – United States – Vietnam Relations, 1945–1967: A Vietnam Relations, 1945–1967: A Study Prepared by the Study Prepared by the Department of DefenseDepartment of Defense, is a DOD , is a DOD history of the US political-military history of the US political-military involvement in Vietnam from involvement in Vietnam from 1945 to 1967. 1945 to 1967.

The Papers "demonstrated...that The Papers "demonstrated...that the Lyndon Baines Johnson the Lyndon Baines Johnson Administration had systematically Administration had systematically lied, not only to the public but lied, not only to the public but also to Congress, about a subject also to Congress, about a subject of transcendent national interest of transcendent national interest and significance".and significance".

Secretary of Defense Robert Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara created the Vietnam McNamara created the Vietnam Study Task Force on June 17, Study Task Force on June 17, 1967, for the purpose of writing 1967, for the purpose of writing an "encyclopedic history of the an "encyclopedic history of the Vietnam War".Vietnam War".

The study comprised 3,000 pages The study comprised 3,000 pages of historical analysis and 4,000 of historical analysis and 4,000 pages of original government pages of original government documents in 47 volumes, and documents in 47 volumes, and was classified as "Top Secret - was classified as "Top Secret - Sensitive". Sensitive".

The Papers get LeakedThe Papers get Leaked

Daniel Ellsberg leaked the papers to the New Daniel Ellsberg leaked the papers to the New York Times for publicationYork Times for publication

Nixon’s administration charged him with a Nixon’s administration charged him with a Felony under the Espionage Act of 1917 and Felony under the Espionage Act of 1917 and sought injunctions against several newspapers sought injunctions against several newspapers to cease printing the documents.to cease printing the documents.

The Supreme Court heard the case and denied The Supreme Court heard the case and denied the government’s claim, quashing the the government’s claim, quashing the injunctionsinjunctions

Impact Impact

First Amendment protection for the pressFirst Amendment protection for the press Lead to the Watergate Scandal when it was Lead to the Watergate Scandal when it was

revealed that Nixon’s administration had revealed that Nixon’s administration had illegally wiretapped Ellsbergillegally wiretapped Ellsberg

The Beginning of the EndThe Beginning of the End

““Vietnamization” 1970Vietnamization” 1970 After Nixon's election in After Nixon's election in

1968, this became the 1968, this became the policy of the US.policy of the US.

The policy was designed to The policy was designed to "expand, equip, and train "expand, equip, and train South Vietnam's forces and South Vietnam's forces and assign to them an ever-assign to them an ever-increasing combat role, at increasing combat role, at the same time steadily the same time steadily reducing the number of U.S. reducing the number of U.S. combat troops."combat troops."

Fall of Saigon 1976Fall of Saigon 1976 The capture of Saigon, the The capture of Saigon, the

capital of South Vietnam, by capital of South Vietnam, by the People's Army of the People's Army of Vietnam and the National Vietnam and the National Liberation Front Liberation Front

The event marked the end The event marked the end of the Vietnam War and the of the Vietnam War and the start of a transition period start of a transition period leading to the formal leading to the formal reunification of Vietnam reunification of Vietnam into a communist state.into a communist state.

ReferencesReferences Vietnamese Declaration of IndependenceVietnamese Declaration of Independence Source: Domino TheorySource: Domino Theory Failure of Strategic Hamlet ProgramFailure of Strategic Hamlet Program Source: Geneva ConferenceSource: Geneva Conference Pentagon Papers, Gravel Edition, Summary and Chapter I Pentagon Papers, Gravel Edition, Summary and Chapter I Advising the Viet MinhAdvising the Viet Minh