VIETNAM

President Truman

Situation in Indochina was part of Cold War struggle against communism

Decided to support France in an effort to block communist expansion in Europe

PRESIDENT EISENHOWER

Domino Theory: the belief that communism would spread to neighboring countries

US sent arms, ammunition, supplies and money to French forces in Vietnam

THE GENEVA CONFERENCE Goal was to work out a peace agreement

and arrange for Indochina’s future Meeting of representatives from France,

Vietnam, Cambodia, Great Britain, Laos, China, Soviet Union and US gathered in Geneva, Switzerland

Geneva Accords were signed in July 1954 Vietnam was temporarily divided at the 17th

parallel

GENEVA ACCORDS

Vietminh would control the northern part of Vietnam

French would withdraw from the country A demilitarized zone along the 17th parallel

would act as a buffer zone to prevent fighting between the north and the south

CONFLICT IN VIETNAM civil war breaks out In 1960, Vietminh in South Vietnam formed

the National Liberation Front Their military forces were called the Vietcong— ,

meaning Vietnamese communists; guerilla force in the South; supported by North Vietnamese army

Pres. Eisenhower decides to intervene US began supplying South Vietnam with

money and supplies

PRESIDENT KENNEDY

Believed in the domino theory Wanted to show off American power Hesitated to send troops so he sent more

military advisors Increased financial aid to Diem

Diem becoming more and more unpopular Instability in S. Vietnam U.S. backs coup to overthrow Diem who is

assassinated

THE TONKIN GULF RESOLUTION

President Johnson became convinced that only expanded US military involvement would prevent a Communist victory

The Tonkin Gulf Resolution Enabled the President to take all

necessary measures to repel any armed attack against forces of the US

Approved by Congress on Aug. 7, 1964

PRESIDENT JOHNSON

Did not want to appear “soft” on communism

Tonkin Gulf: granted Johnson broad military powers

Operation Rolling Thunder Escalation—more troops to Vietnam Determination despite unpopularity

AIR WAR Operation Rolling Thunder (March 1965)

Main target: Ho Chi Minh Trail

Pres. Johnson wanted to weaken the enemy’s ability and will to fight and wanted to assure South Vietnam of his commitment to its independence

This bombing campaign led many South Vietnamese to join the Vietcong

GROUND WAR

In response to guerilla tactics, US ground troops in South Vietnam undertook search and destroy missions to drive enemy forces out of their hideouts

US troops inflicted enormous casualties on Communist forces

Pacification

THE DRAFT

As the American force in Vietnam increased, US government depended on the draft

1969 lottery system implemented for the draft Men were drafted based on birth dates

drawn at random

Draft ended in 1973

1968: THE TET OFFENSIVE A series of coordinated attacks throughout

South Vietnam The Vietcong assault on the US Embassy

marked the start Showed that no part of South Vietnam was

safe from attack Shattered American beliefs that Communist

forces were weakening and that the US would soon win the war

PRESIDENT NIXONEND OF THE WAR

President Nixon pledged he would end the war if elected

Vietnamization- process of turning over more of the fighting in Vietnam to the South Vietnamese while gradually bringing home US ground troops My Lai Massacre Invasion of Cambodia

Nixon agreed to remove all US troops and help rebuild