Remembered Forever: The Era of the Vietnam War

By: Lauren McDevitt, Caitlin Harrison, By: Lauren McDevitt, Caitlin Harrison, James Holston, Michael DoJames Holston, Michael Do

Where In The World is Vietnam?

Southeast Asia Split North and South Jungle terrain

French Colonial Control

Ruled harshly Also controlled Cambodia and Laos Did not support Communism September 2, 1945- Vietnamese

independence North and South split after

independence Non communist South Communist North

Communism American Views Vietnam

Reaction: Kennedy- tried to

make Vietnam a democracy

Wanted to remodel in image of U.S. government

U.S. policy of containment U.S. tried to

“contain” communism in Asia

Northern half of country supported Communism Led by Ho Chi Minh-

communist Southern half opposed

Led by Ngo Diem- democracy

Often fighting broke out

Buddhists burned themselves in protest

Help to split people of Vietnam apart

Think About It- Why would the United States want to contain communism in Asia?

Gulf of Tonkin

August 1964 U.S. intelligence mission U.S. naval ship was attacked by torpedo

boats destroyed N. Vietnam navy

Day after another attack Never confirmed

President- Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Gave president some warfare power Power to declare war if needed

Guerrilla Warfare

An activity runs military operations by using terrorism and sabotage techniques

Commonly used in North Called “Viet Cong”

Bases- located in small forts in woods or forests

Lived and worked with civilians A Guerrilla setting traps on a road to hopefully blow up a passing truck.

North VS. South

North: Ho Chi Minh Aided by Soviet Union and China Harsh rule

South: Ngo Diem

Assassinated Corrupt government Aided by America

Think about it- What major events helped to start the war? Do you think that this alone was enough to start it?

U.S. Involvement: Naval

Controlled by Pentagon Used even after Gulf of Tonkin Blocked North Vietnam

Supplies in or out This picture shows the crowded journey the troops had to make from America to Vietnam

U.S. Involvement: Air

Air Force Total control Dropped bombs

More bombs on Vietnam than all of WWII Dropped chemicals

Agent Orange

American troops used helicopters to travel over the rough terrain of Vietnam

U.S. Involvement: Land

Conventional warfare More time training than fighting Draftees outnumbered volunteers Had problems with civilians

Couldn’t tell difference between N. Vietnam soldiers

“Search and destroy” method

U.S. Involvement: Advantages Great wealth Modern weapons

Technology Professional military

Think about it- What side did the U.S. help? Do you think we were right to get involved?

Divisions in Vietnam

Geographical North and South

Political Communism in North Democracy in South

Divisions in America

Anti-war activists Doves Believed war was wrong

Pro-war activists Hawks Believed US should fight for freedom in

Vietnam

Think about it- Do you side with the Doves or Hawks? Why?

1.8 million men drafted during course of war

Draft Lottery

The Draft

Avoiding the Draft

Some men with families

Apply for conscientious objector

Go to college

Picked draftees by birthdays

Anti-War Protests

Peaceful Marches, calm demonstrations Example: The March Against Death

Violent Riots Police used to subdue crowds Example: Kent State University

Shootings

End of the War: Battles and Operations First Battle of Saigon:

First attempt to end the war Eastern Side Offensive:

An attempt to end the war Fall of Saigon:

NVA won Ended the war

John F. Kennedy

Lyndon B. Johnson

Sent Helicopters Was Assassinated

Was Pres. After Kennedy

He didn’t wantTo lose

Richard Nixon

Organized secretbombings

Approved linebacker II

American involvementDeclined

Presidents

Added Green Beret

Main reason why U.S.was involved inVietnam War

These presidents were all involved in the long Vietnam War.

Pulling Out Troops

Cease-fire signed in Paris-1973 Went into effect in January

Richard Nixon pulled troops out gradually 2 troop withdraws Pulled out troops because they were

scared of a blood shed (end)

American Army

Fought side by side with SVA Tried to stop spread of communism

Afraid Vietnam would become communist country Domino Theory Concerned for people near/in Vietnam

Gave weapons/trained Vietnamese

South Vietnam Army (SVA)

Fought for their freedom Were not trained

Didn’t know anything about fighting or war

Most men were drafted Any male older than 18

Post-War Casualties

United States: Dead: 58,209 Missing: 2,489 Wounded: 153,303

South Vietnamese: Dead: 220,357 Wounded: 1,170,000

North Vietnamese: Dead and missing: 1,176,000 Wounded: 600,000 and more

Symbolism of the people who were lost to the war.

Veterans

Not welcomed home Verbally attacked by opponents of war Mental breakdowns

Shell shock Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

30% of homeless were Vietnam Veterans by the 1980s

Physical Disabilities Malaria Infections to feet Agent OrangeThink about it- Why do you

think veterans were treated this way? Why were they effected this way?

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Called “The Wall” National design contest Design was controversial Highly polished black granite in sloping

v-shape Washington D.C.-1982 One of nation’s most visited monuments

BIG QUESTION!

What was the result of the Vietnam War and what impact did it have on south-eastern

Asia?

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