The Vietnam War 1954 - 1975

The

Anti-War Movement Fall of Saigon Vietnam today

French

intervention 1954 Geneva Accords US intervention Johnsons excalation Tet Offensive Nixons Christmas bombing

Background to the War

France controlled Indochina since the late 19th century

Japan took control during World War II With U.S. aid, France attempted re-colonization in the postwar period

French Rule Over Vietnam

Since the 18::s, most of Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, was a colony of France. Using French laws, Vietnam was ruled with an iron fist. France imposed high taxes and took control of the countries resource industries.

Dien Bien Phu

Battle

March May 1954 54 days General Giap vs General Navarre 7,000 French soldiers lost lives DRV *(democratic republic of Vietnam

Vietminh

50,000 troops French 13,000 troops Trenches Brought in 200 pieces of artillary through what becomes Ho chi minh trail

The Rise of Ho Chi Minh

During WWII, Japan took over Vietnam, but France re-established power after Allied victory. A communist leader, Ho Chi Minh, rallied the communists in Vietnam to rebel and drive the French out. To ensure Frances help against the Soviets in the Cold War, Truman and Eisenhower both helped the French maintain control of Vietnam by financially supporting the French war effort.

The French Lose Vietnam

Truman and Eisenhower both believed in the Domino Theory, which held the belief that if Vietnam fell, all of the other countries around would also fall to communism including Japan and Australia. In 1954, the French army was caught in Dien Bien Phu. They were laid siege to for 55 days and they ultimately surrendered. The communists under Minh took control of Northern Vietnam, while the anti-communists with the help of the U.S. took control in the South. Vietnam would be divided at the 17th parallel.

Background to the War

International Conference at Geneva Vietnam was divided at 17th parallel
O O

Ho Chi Minhs nationalist forces controlled the North Ngo Dinh Diem, a Frencheducated, Roman Catholic claimed control of the South

Background to the War

Country was to be reunited in two years with an election in 1956

U.S. Supports Southern Vietnam

Despite the French being removed, the U.S. continued to support the anti-communists in S. Vietnam. The U.S. continued to give economic and military aid to S. Vietnam led by Ngo Dinh Diem. Diem was a nationalist and anticommunist, but was not very charismatic like Minh. In the 1956 elections to unify Vietnam, Diem refused to participate feeling that he would lose to the more popular Minh. Vietnam would remain divided.

Communist Sentiment Grows in the South

By 1957, Communist rebels in the South known as the Vietcong, began undermining Diem in hopes of uniting Vietnam. Supplied by the N. Vietnamese, the Vietcong destroyed infrastructure and assassinated political officials. Diems popularity was waning from both the communists and other social groups, including Buddhists, a large religion in S. Vietnam. Diems only real ally was the U.S.

Ho Chi Minh Trail

U.S. Military Involvement Begins

Repressive dictatorial rule by Diem Diems family holds all power Wealth is hoarded by the elite

Buddhist majority persecuted Torture, lack of political freedom prevail

The U.S. aided Diems government Ike sent financial and military aid 675 U.S. Army advisors sent by 1960.

Early Protests of Diems Government

Self-Emolation by a Buddhist Monk

U.S. Military Involvement Begins

Kennedy elected 1960 Increases military advisors to 16,000

Kennedy Sends In Troops

In 1961, knowing that S. Vietnam was in trouble, Kennedy sent special forces advisors into Vietnam to train the Vietnamese Army. Despite some success, Diem continued to alienate his citizens (especially Buddhists) and his regime was in shambles. Realizing that Diem could no longer lead S. Vietnam, the U.S. helped the Vietnamese Army to overthrow Diem, which happened in 1963.

1963: JFK supports a Vietnamese military coup detat Diem and his brother are murdered (Nov. 2) Kennedy was assassinated just weeks later (Nov. 22)

Johnson Sends Ground Forces

Remembers Trumans loss of China Domino Theory revived
Im not going to be the president who saw Southeast Asia go the way China went.

Johnson Sends Ground Forces

Advised to rout the communists by Secretary of State, Robert S. McNamara
Tonkin Gulf Incident 1964 Tonkin Gulf Resolution

(acc. to Johnson, the attacks were unprovoked) The Blank Check *

Resolution: Use

of all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the US and to prevent further aggression.

Johnson Increases the War Effort

Johnson, not known for his foreign policy skills, wanted victory in Vietnam. After an aggressive act against a U.S. boat by the N. Vietnamese, Johnson ordered an airstrike against N. Vietnam. Congress quickly approved the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which stated that Johnson had the power to take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the U.S. and to prevent further aggression. Furthermore, Johnson would not have to have Congresss approval to declare war.

U.S. Enters the War

1965

Pres. Johnson promised an economic package if the communists would end their assault Pres. Johnson increased troops in Vietnam from 23,000 to 184,000 in 1965

The Draft
A

total of 1,857,304 men were drafted between August 1964 and February 1973

 December

1, 1969 marked the date of the first draft lottery held since 1942. This drawing determined the order of induction for men born between January 1, 1944 and December 31, 1950. A large glass container held 366 blue plastic balls containing every possible birth date and affecting men between 18 and 26 years old.

Some common Selective Service classifications: 1-A Ready for immediate induction. (no

deferment)

1-Y Qualified for military service only in time of national emergency (classification eliminated

10-Dec-1971)
2-S Student deferment (temporary delay) 3-A Extreme hardship to dependents 4-F Unqualified for military service (exemption

U.S. Troop Deployments in Vietnam

600,000 500,000 400,000
U.S. Troops

300,000 200,000 100,000 0

1961 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968

The Ground War 1965-1968

No territorial goals Body counts on TV every night (first living room war)

Viet Cong supplies over the Ho Chi Minh Trail

The Air War 1965-1968

1965: Sustained bombing of North Vietnam Operation Rolling Thunder (March 2, 1965)

1966-68: Ongoing bombing of Hanoi nonstop for 3 years! Esp. targets the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Downed Pilots: P.O.W.s Carpet Bombing napalm

Johnson Responds to Aggression

With the U.S. military at his disposal, Johnson responds to a Vietcong attack in Pleiku by ordering Operation Rolling Thunder. The U.S. began bombing N. Vietnam, but communist forces continued to fight and supply the Vietcong. Johnson responded by committing more ground troops and assuming greater military responsibilities in the war effort. Troops increased from 20,000 to 180,000.

The Ground War 1965-1968

General Westmoreland, late 1967:

We can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Airstrikes Continued

Being advised by Sec. of Def. Robert McNamara and Gen. William Westmoreland, Johnson ordered continued bombing of N. Vietnam and Vietcong locations. Various types of bombs were used for differing reasons. Conventional bombs. Napalm a jellied gasoline that exploded on impact causing flames that stuck to everything and was difficult to extinguish. Agent Orange an herbicide meant to kill plant life which harmed many American soldiers as well as killed the

The Air War: A Napalm Attack

The War Drags On

From 1965 to 68, American presence in Vietnam increased from 180,000 to 500,00. The number of casualties rose from 636 in 65 to 3:,::: in 68.

Americas

mission became to win the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese people. The difficult part was the corruption of the S. Vietnam government and outside of the major cities, support for the war effort was minimal.

 Despite

winning many major battles, the N. Vietnamese and Vietcong held firm. They would not surrender, which meant that there was no end in sight. The U.S. would not invade N. Vietnam or attempt to remove the communist regime in fear of China or the Soviets entering the conflict.

War Is Difficult on U.S. Soldiers

Early

in the war, soldiers volunteered to go to war to prevent the spread of communism. As the war dragged on, soldiers were drafted into the war effort and many of them had conflicting feelings about fighting.

Despite

superior firepower, the Vietcong continued to use guerilla tactics to attack. Further complicating the situation, would hide themselves in civilian groups to make recognition more difficult.

Many

U.S. soldiers became paranoid and continuously on guard because they never knew where the enemy would attack from. Finally, soldiers questioned U.S. involvement because many S. Vietnamese were either indifferent to them or openly hostile.

LEADERs of South Vietnam

Nguyn

Khnh (1963-1964)
Nguyn Vn Thiu (1965-1975)

 Vietcong:

Who Is the Enemy?

Farmers by day; guerillas at night. Very patient people willing to accept many casualties. The US grossly underestimated their resolve and their resourcefulness.

The guerilla wins if he does not lose, the conventional army loses if it does not win. -- Mao Zedong

Are We Becoming the Enemy?

Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry

Mylai Massacre, 1968 200-500 unarmed villagers

Lt. William Calley, Platoon Leader

The Minh Doctrine

Realizing that they could not stand toe-to-toe with the American army, Minh taught his troops only to fight in battles they could win. Using guerrilla tactics, Vietcong fighters would dig tunnels in the daytime and come out to fight at night. They would ambush U.S. patrols, create booby traps, and set off explosives in American camps. N. Vietnam and Vietcong leaders believed that if they could wear down the enemy, the Americans would eventually give up.

Prison Camps
1964-1973

Vietnamese captured mostly pilots and crew Most Famous: Hanoi Hilton

PRISON CAMPS

PRISON CAMPS
Alcatraz:

Tiny cells sunk underground pencil sized holes above each door Zoo: All windows in cells bricked up Dirty Bird: near Power Plant Plantation: Showcase for delegates

Prison Camps
Hanoi

Hilton:

The Worst: Most brutal tortures

TORTURE METHODS

Who Is the Enemy?

 Vietcong:

Who Is the Enemy?

Farmers by day; guerillas at night. Very patient people willing to accept many casualties. The US grossly underestimated their resolve and their resourcefulness.

The guerilla wins if he does not lose, the conventional army loses if it does not win. -- Mao Zedong

Are We Becoming the Enemy?

Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry

Mylai Massacre, 1968 200-500 unarmed villagers

Lt. William Calley, Platoon Leader

The Tet Offensive, January 1968

The Tet Offensive, January 1968

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

Take every major southern city U.S. beat back the offensive Viet Cong destroyed N. Vietnamese army debilitated BUTits seen as an American defeat by the media

Tet Offensive
By

the end of the city battles 37,000 Vietcong troops have been killed. million civilian refugees 2,500 American casualties

Impact of the Tet Offensive

Domestic U.S. Reaction: Disbelief, Anger, Distrust of Johnson Administration
Hey, Hey LBJ! How

many kids did you kill today?

1968
After

3 years Operation Rolling Thunder comes to an end Cost: 900 American aircraft 818 pilots dead or missing 182,000 North Vietnamese civilians killed

Johnsons popularity dropped in 1968 from 48% to 36%.

Impact of the Vietnam War

Johnson announces (March, 1968):
I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President.

American Morale Begins to Dip

Disproportionate representation of poor people and minorities. Severe racial problems. Major drug problems.

Anti-War Demonstrations

Columbia University 1967

Hell no, we wont go!

Anti-War Demonstrations
Student Protestors at Univ. of CA in Berkeley, 1968

Democratic Convention in Chicago, 1968

Anti-War Demonstrations
May 4, 1970

4 students shot dead.

11 students wounded Jackson State University May 10, 1970 2 dead; 12 wounded

Kent State University

Hanoi Jane

Jane Fonda: Traitor?

The

Vietnam Veterans Against the War Organization received major financial support from Jane Fonda.

I, a socialist, think that we should strive toward a socialist society, all the way to communism. "

Nixon on Vietnam
Nixons 1968 Campaign promised an end to the war: Peace with

Honor

Appealed to the great Silent Majority Those that supported the war

VIETNAMIZATION
Gradually

withdraw the more than 500,000 American soldiers from Vietnam and return control of the war to the South Vietnamese.

NIXON DOCTRINE
The United States would honor its current defense commitments it would not commit troops anywhere else. (Revoked Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson policy of fighting Communism)

Expansion of the conflict The Secret War Cambodia Laos Nixon sent troops and bombing raid without consent of Congress

By

1967 Vietnam War was costing the country $70 million a day.

Pentagon Papers, 1971

Govt. docs. regarding war efforts during Johnsons administration to the New York Times.

Pentagon Papers, 1971

Docs. Govt. misled Congress & Amer. People regarding its intentions in Vietnam since the mid1940s. Primary reason for fighting not to eliminate communism, but to avoid humiliating defeat.

New York Times v. United States

(1971) *

Easter Offensive
March

1972: North Vietnam launched a full scale attack on South Vietnam Eventually unsuccessful forcing negotiations

Peace Agreement
Henry

Kissinger: National Security advisor 1972 Works on secret peace agreement with N. Vietnams Le Duc Tho President Thieu (S. Vietnam) demanded changes

Ceasefire
South

Vietnam did not agree North Vietnam then left the negotiations Led to the CHRISTMAS BOMBINGS by the United States for 11 days to force parties back to the table

The Ceasefire, 1973

Peace is at hand Kissinger, 1972

North Vietnam attacks South Most Massive U.S. bombing commences

1973: Ceasefire signed between

U.S., South Vietnam, & North Vietnam

Peace with honor (President Nixon)

Peace Negotiations
US & Vietnamese argue for 5 months over the size of the conference table!
Dr. Henry Kissinger & Le Duc Tho

Paris Accords
The

bombings brought all parties back to the table All agreed to terms/POW began to be returned immediately

The Ceasefire, 1973

Conditions: 1.U.S. to remove all troops 2.North Vietnam could leave troops already in S.V. 3. American prisoners would be released upon withdrawal of troops 4. A Council would be formed to determine fate of South

Last American troops left South Vietnam on March 29, 1973 1975: North Vietnam defeats South Vietnam Saigon renamed Ho Chi Minh City

The Fall of Saigon

South Vietnamese Attempt to Flee the Country

The Fall of Saigon

April 30, 1975

America Abandons Its Embassy

The Fall of Saigon

North Vietnamese at the Presidential Palace

A United Vietnam

Formerly Saigon

The Costs
1. 3,000,000 Vietnamese killed 2. 58,000 Americans killed; 300,000 wounded 3. Under-funding of Great Society programs 4. $150,000,000,000 in U.S. spending 5. U.S. morale, self-confidence, trust of government, decimated

The Impact
26th Amendment: 18-year-olds vote Nixon abolished the draft all-volunteer army War Powers Act, 1973

Disregard for Veterans seen as baby killers POW/MIA issue lingered

President must notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying military force President must withdraw forces unless he gains Congressional approval within 90 days

Some American POWs Returned from the Hanoi Hilton

Senator John McCain

(R-AZ)

2,583 American POWs / MIAs still unaccounted for today.

Operation Homecoming
1973

Feb April 591 American POWs came home Still discrepancies on how many are left if any.

 Currently,

1,699 Americans are "unaccounted for" in Southeast Asia: Vietnam: 1,301 North Vietnam : 477 South Vietnam : 824 Laos : 332 Cambodia : 59 China (territorial waters) : 7

78,000

are missing from World War II and over 8,000 are missing from the Korean War

And in the End.

Ho Chi Minh:

If we have to fight, we will fight. You will kill ten of our men and we will kill one of yours, and in the end it will be you who tires of it.

Vietnam
15

milllion became refugees 25 million acres of forest destroyed 11.2 million gallons of Agent Orange 400,000 tons of Napalm Unexploded bombs

Lessons for Future American Presidents

1. Wars must be of short duration. 2. Wars must yield few American casualties. 3. Restrict media access to battlefields.

LESSONS
1. Set clear, winnable goals. 2. Set deadline for troop withdrawals

The Vietnam Memorial, Washington, D.C.

Memorial to US Servicemen in Vietnam

Memorial to US Nurses in Vietnam

58,000

President Clinton formally recognized Vietnam on July 11, 1995 Opened trade with Vietnam

Where Were You in the War, Daddy?

This war haunts us still!

AND TODAY.. The Light at the End of This Tunnel?

2003 to ?: Operation Iraqi Freedom 2400+ American dead and counting?

Another Vietnam? OR
A transformation of the Middle East?

Only time & history can tell!