France controlled “Indochina” since France controlled “Indochina” since the late 19the late 19thth century century

Japan took control during World Japan took control during World War IIWar II

With U.S. aid, France attempted re-With U.S. aid, France attempted re-colonization in the postwar periodcolonization in the postwar period

The French lost control to Ho Chi The French lost control to Ho Chi Minh’s Minh’s Viet MinhViet Minh forces in 1954 at forces in 1954 at Dien Bien PhuDien Bien Phu

Began by “Ike” and JFK but was intensified under LyndonBaines Johnson (LBJ), who assumed the presidency after JFK’s assassinationThe U.S. never formally issued a declaration of war, but after the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, where 2 American destroyers were apparently fired upon by the North Vietnamese, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolutions (August 1964)- here Congress gave LBJ their support in sending American personnel and materiel

Fighting on home turf. They knew the land.Had protection in Laos and Cambodia (Americans could not fight there).S. Vietnamese were indifferent to the Americans’ efforts. Not helpful.Guerrilla warfare frustrating to ground troops. Sabotage worked well. Land Mines.Who was a friend, and who was an enemy?

THE ONLY WAY WE KNEW HOW!Saturation Bombing – dropping lots of explosives over large areas.Defoliants (Agent Orange) – kill all vegetation in jungle; also kill people breathing it in.

President Johnson authorized Operation Rolling Thunder – 3-year, nonstop bombing campaign on North Vietnam. Didn’t work.

Ho Chi Minh Trail:

Route Communists took to stage attacks in the South.The trail is in Laos and Cambodia (the U.S. couldn’t bomb there)!

The Communists also built an extensive tunnel system from the North to the South.Fighting in the tunnels became dirty work for the Americans

N. Vietnamese Army + Viet Cong attack N. Vietnamese Army + Viet Cong attack South simultaneously (67,000 attack 100 South simultaneously (67,000 attack 100 cities, bases, and the US embassy in Saigon)cities, bases, and the US embassy in Saigon)

Take every major southern cityTake every major southern city U.S. + ARVN beat back the offensiveU.S. + ARVN beat back the offensive Viet Cong destroyedViet Cong destroyed N. Vietnamese army debilitatedN. Vietnamese army debilitated BUT…it’s seen as an American defeat by the BUT…it’s seen as an American defeat by the

mediamedia

Those persons captured by the VC and who were found to have helped the Americans were tortured and executed.3,000-5,000 were killed during the Tet Offensive.

Domestic U.S. Reaction: Domestic U.S. Reaction: Disbelief, Anger, Distrust of Disbelief, Anger, Distrust of Johnson AdministrationJohnson Administration

WAR PROTEST MOVEMENT WAR PROTEST MOVEMENT BEGINSBEGINS

Disproportionate representation Disproportionate representation of poor people and minorities.of poor people and minorities.

Severe racial problems.Severe racial problems. Major drug problems.Major drug problems. Officers in combatOfficers in combat

6 mo.; in rear 6 mo.; in rear 6 mo. Enlisted 6 mo. Enlisted men in combat for 12 mo.men in combat for 12 mo.

Rounded everybody up. Killed 400 members of the village.Some soldiers received prison sentences for their role in the massacre.

Peace talks began in Paris in 1968 but no agreement was being reached.

Nixon comes up with Vietnamization, trading out American soldiers for newly trained S. Vietnamese soldiers. Sound familiar???

Nixon spreads the war to Cambodia. This caused a civil war in Cambodia and a lot more protests at home.

Nixon, however, could no longer ignore the protests of students and other activists in the United States (called the vocal minority

After last minute rounds of bombing by both sides, peace was reached in January of 1973: U.S. full withdrawal from Vietnam. POW’s released. No more fighting in Laos and

Cambodia. 17th parallel to divide N. and S.

Vietnam.

Conditions:Conditions:1)1) U.S. to remove all troopsU.S. to remove all troops

2)2) North Vietnam could North Vietnam could leave troops already in leave troops already in S.V.S.V.

3)3) North Vietnam would North Vietnam would resume warresume war

4)4) No provision for POWs or No provision for POWs or MIAsMIAs

Last American troops left SouthLast American troops left South

fighting continued for two more years.

N. Vietnamese launched offensives to take over Saigon Vietnam on March 29, 1973Vietnam on March 29, 1973

1975: North Vietnam defeats South 1975: North Vietnam defeats South VietnamVietnam

Saigon renamed Ho Chi Minh CitySaigon renamed Ho Chi Minh City

.