Slide 1 10,000 Day War (1946-75) Seeing Vietnam Through Media

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10,000 Day War (1946-75)10,000 Day War (1946-75)

Seeing Vietnam Through Seeing Vietnam Through Media Media

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North & South VietnamNorth & South Vietnam

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Why Vietnam? - timelineWhy Vietnam? - timeline

Vietnam was under French rule Vietnam was under French rule from late from late 1800’s-WWII1800’s-WWII

1954 - 1954 - VietminhVietminh (fighters for independence (fighters for independence from foreign rule) take overfrom foreign rule) take over

July 1954 – July 1954 – Geneva Accords Geneva Accords – North Vietnam – Communists North Vietnam – Communists - Hanoi- Hanoi– South Vietnam – Nationalists South Vietnam – Nationalists - Saigon- Saigon

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North & South VietnamNorth & South Vietnam

North Vietnam: - Soviet Union - Ho Chi Minh

South Vietnam: - U.S. - Ngo Dinh Diem

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Why Vietnam?Why Vietnam?

Domino TheoryDomino Theory: : – What would happen if one country fell to What would happen if one country fell to

Communism?Communism?

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JFKJFK LBJ LBJ

““In the final analysis, it’s their war”In the final analysis, it’s their war” JFKJFK

““If I let the communists take over South If I let the communists take over South Vietnam then my nation would be seen Vietnam then my nation would be seen as an appeaser and we would find it as an appeaser and we would find it impossible to accomplish anything impossible to accomplish anything anywhere on the entire globe” anywhere on the entire globe”

LBJLBJ

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PHASE 2 – AMERICAN ESCALATION AND MILITARY PHASE 2 – AMERICAN ESCALATION AND MILITARY INVOLVEMENTINVOLVEMENT

The U.S. never formally The U.S. never formally issued a declaration of war, issued a declaration of war, but after the Gulf of Tonkin but after the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, where 2 AmericanIncident, where 2 Americandestroyers were apparently destroyers were apparently fired upon by the North fired upon by the North Vietnamese, Congress Vietnamese, Congress passed the passed the Gulf of Tonkin Gulf of Tonkin Resolutions, Resolutions, herehere Congress Congress gave LBJ their support in gave LBJ their support in sending American sending American personnel and materielpersonnel and materiel

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Johnson’s escalation of the warJohnson’s escalation of the war

Initially the war in Vietnam was Initially the war in Vietnam was widely supportedwidely supported

However, that would soon changeHowever, that would soon change

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Billy JoelBilly Joel

GOOD NIGHT SAIGONGOOD NIGHT SAIGON

Pick out 5 hardships while listening to the song

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Good Night SaigonGood Night Saigon

We met as soul mates on Parris IslandWe met as soul mates on Parris IslandWe left as inmates from an asylumWe left as inmates from an asylumAnd we were sharp, as sharp as knivesAnd we were sharp, as sharp as knivesAnd we were so gung ho to lay down our livesAnd we were so gung ho to lay down our lives

We came in spastic like tameless horsesWe came in spastic like tameless horsesWe left in plastic as numbered corpsesWe left in plastic as numbered corpsesAnd we learned fast to travel lightAnd we learned fast to travel lightOur arms were heavy but our bellies were tightOur arms were heavy but our bellies were tight

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We had no home front, we had no soft soapWe had no home front, we had no soft soapThey sent us Playboy, they gave us Bob HopeThey sent us Playboy, they gave us Bob HopeWe dug in deep and shot on sightWe dug in deep and shot on sightAnd prayed to Jesus Christ with all our mightAnd prayed to Jesus Christ with all our might

We had no cameras to shoot the landscapeWe had no cameras to shoot the landscapeWe passed the hash pipe and played our Doors We passed the hash pipe and played our Doors tapestapesAnd it was dark, so dark at nightAnd it was dark, so dark at nightAnd we held on to each otherAnd we held on to each otherLike brother to brotherLike brother to brotherWe promised our mothers we'd writeWe promised our mothers we'd write

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And we would all go down togetherAnd we would all go down togetherWe said we'd all go down togetherWe said we'd all go down togetherYes we would all go down togetherYes we would all go down together

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Remember Charlie, remember BakerRemember Charlie, remember BakerThey left their childhood on every acreThey left their childhood on every acreAnd who was wrong? And who was right?And who was wrong? And who was right?It didn't matter in the thick of the fightIt didn't matter in the thick of the fight

We held the day in the palm of our handWe held the day in the palm of our handThey ruled the night, and the nightThey ruled the night, and the nightSeemed to last as long as six weeks...Seemed to last as long as six weeks...

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...On Parris Island...On Parris IslandWe held the coastline, they held the We held the coastline, they held the highlandshighlandsAnd they were sharp, as sharp as knivesAnd they were sharp, as sharp as knivesThey heard the hum of our motorsThey heard the hum of our motorsThey counted the rotorsThey counted the rotorsAnd waited for us to arriveAnd waited for us to arrive

And we would all go down togetherAnd we would all go down togetherWe said we'd all go down togetherWe said we'd all go down togetherYes we would all go down togetherYes we would all go down together

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Ho Chi Min Trail Ho Chi Min Trail

Ho Chi Min Trail enabled North Vietnam to send troops to South Vietnam

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The war definitely turned The war definitely turned against the US in 1968, against the US in 1968, when NVA’s General when NVA’s General Giap began the Giap began the Tet Tet OffensiveOffensive, a surprise , a surprise offensive on a major offensive on a major Vietnamese holiday that Vietnamese holiday that saw attacks all over the saw attacks all over the country, including in country, including in Saigon itselfSaigon itself

ongoing US casualties ongoing US casualties and losses saw an and losses saw an increase in antiwar increase in antiwar sentiment on the sentiment on the American Home Front,American Home Front,in large part because in large part because Vietnam was a Vietnam was a TV WarTV War where American where American audiences saw the audiences saw the brutality of war firsthandbrutality of war firsthand

TET OFFENSIVE TET OFFENSIVE READINGREADING

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What do you think the American public’s reaction was to this picture?

Why is this a powerful picture? Consider your knowledge of composition, empathy, and the Vietnam War at the time.

It was published with the caption, “General Nguyen Ngoc Loan executing a Viet Cong ( SV communist) prisoner in Saigon.” The Viet Cong in the picture was handcuffed at the time he was shot.

Slide 18 This included This included

American atrocities at American atrocities at My LaiMy Lai (Lieutenant (Lieutenant Calley)Calley)

they also witnessed they also witnessed the usage of weapons the usage of weapons like like napalmnapalm and and Agent OrangeAgent Orange, which , which devastated the devastated the environmentenvironment

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Difficulties as a SoldierDifficulties as a Soldier

#1 DRAFT

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ACROSS THE UNIVERSE - ACROSS THE UNIVERSE - DRAFTDRAFT

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#2 #2 Jungle TerrainJungle Terrain– UnfamiliarityUnfamiliarity– Tunnels built by Tunnels built by VietcongVietcong (opposing side) to (opposing side) to

• Avoid air raidsAvoid air raids• Plant surprise attacksPlant surprise attacks

– Booby trapsBooby traps

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Jungle TerrainJungle Terrain

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Jungle TerrainJungle Terrain

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Creedence Clearwater RevivalCreedence Clearwater Revival

RUN THROUGH THE JUNGLERUN THROUGH THE JUNGLE

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Run Through the Jungle Run Through the Jungle

Whoa, thought it was a nightmare,Whoa, thought it was a nightmare,Lo, it's all so true,Lo, it's all so true,They told me, "Don't go walkin' slowThey told me, "Don't go walkin' slow'Cause Devil's on the loose."'Cause Devil's on the loose."

Better run through the jungle,Better run through the jungle,Better run through the jungle,Better run through the jungle,Better run through the jungle,Better run through the jungle,Woa, Don't look back to see.Woa, Don't look back to see.

Thought I heard a rumblin'Thought I heard a rumblin'Callin' to my name,Callin' to my name,Two hundred million guns are loadedTwo hundred million guns are loadedSatan cries, "Take aim!"Satan cries, "Take aim!"

Over on the mountainOver on the mountainThunder magic spoke,Thunder magic spoke,"Let the people know my wisdom,"Let the people know my wisdom,Fill the land with smoke."Fill the land with smoke."

[CHORUS][CHORUS]

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Run Through the JungleRun Through the Jungle

Better run through the jungle,Better run through the jungle,Better run through the jungle,Better run through the jungle,Better run through the jungle,Better run through the jungle,Woa, Don't look back to see.Woa, Don't look back to see.

Over on the mountainOver on the mountainThunder magic spoke,Thunder magic spoke,"Let the people know my wisdom,"Let the people know my wisdom,Fill the land with smoke."Fill the land with smoke."

Better run through the jungle Better run through the jungle

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““War of Attrition”War of Attrition”

– Guerilla WarfareGuerilla Warfare– Published death countPublished death count– North Vietnamese received supplies from China North Vietnamese received supplies from China

and Sovietsand Soviets– They had more cause to fightThey had more cause to fight– Underestimated enemyUnderestimated enemy

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Couldn’t win people over to US sideCouldn’t win people over to US side– Vietcong hid among civiliansVietcong hid among civilians– Difficulties: Difficulties: NapalmNapalm and and Agent OrangeAgent Orange

• Gasoline based, toxic burning chemicalsGasoline based, toxic burning chemicals

= People are afraid and angry= People are afraid and angry

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No major headwayNo major headwayDidn’t support the war in the first placeDidn’t support the war in the first place Instability of S. Vietnamese governmentInstability of S. Vietnamese governmentRumors that United States government Rumors that United States government

wanted to negotiate a withdrawalwanted to negotiate a withdrawal

ESSENTIALLY THEY LOST THEIR ESSENTIALLY THEY LOST THEIR CONVICTION TO FIGHTCONVICTION TO FIGHT

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RESCUE DAWNRESCUE DAWN

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Day 2Day 2

ACROSS THE UNIVERSE – ACROSS THE UNIVERSE – STRAWBERRY FIELDSSTRAWBERRY FIELDS

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Vietcong TunnelsVietcong Tunnels

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TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP ACTIVITY ACTIVITY

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TO SAVE A SOLDIER TO SAVE A SOLDIER AND AND FORREST GUMP FORREST GUMP

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The New Left-Hippies The New Left-Hippies Radical political movement of Radical political movement of the 1960’s and 70’sthe 1960’s and 70’s

– Mostly comprised of Mostly comprised of college studentscollege students

Social activistsSocial activistsBeliefsBeliefs

– Anti- DraftAnti- Draft– Pro- Civil RightsPro- Civil Rights– Opposed authority (Anti- Opposed authority (Anti-

Establishment)Establishment)

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Why Oppose Vietnam War?Why Oppose Vietnam War?

War was morally wrongWar was morally wrong South Vietnam was oppressive just like the South Vietnam was oppressive just like the

NorthNorth This was This was their their Civil WarCivil War War was a drain on U.S. influence in more War was a drain on U.S. influence in more

important mattersimportant matters U.S. cannot police the globeU.S. cannot police the globe Draft at age 18 – couldn’t vote until age 21Draft at age 18 – couldn’t vote until age 21

WOULD WOULD YOUYOU DISAGREE? DISAGREE?

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Opposition IntensifiesOpposition Intensifies

1965 – 20,000 protestors in Washington DC1965 – 20,000 protestors in Washington DC1967 – 500,000 protestors in NYC1967 – 500,000 protestors in NYC

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ACROSS THE UNIVERSE – ACROSS THE UNIVERSE – PROTEST PROTEST

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Burning of Draft CardsBurning of Draft Cards

Students could defer if Students could defer if in good standing with in good standing with universityuniversity

Many refused to go Many refused to go and were imprisonedand were imprisoned

““Burn cards not Burn cards not people!”people!”

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as the Counterculture as the Counterculture gathered momentum gathered momentum (Hippies, Flower (Hippies, Flower Children, etc.), protests Children, etc.), protests became widespread and became widespread and began to polarize the began to polarize the nationnation

this was intensified after this was intensified after the the Kent State MassacreKent State Massacre– National Guardsmen National Guardsmen

opened fire on student opened fire on student protestors in Ohio, protestors in Ohio, killing fourkilling four

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The BeatlesThe Beatles

REVOLUTION REVOLUTION

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RevolutionRevolution

You say you want a revolution You say you want a revolution Well, you know - We all want to change the Well, you know - We all want to change the world world You tell me that it's evolution You tell me that it's evolution Well, you know - We all want to change the Well, you know - We all want to change the world world But when you talk about destruction But when you talk about destruction Don't you know that you can count me out Don't you know that you can count me out Don't you know it's gonna be all right Don't you know it's gonna be all right all right, all right all right, all right

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You say you got a real solution You say you got a real solution Well, you know - We'd all love to see the plan Well, you know - We'd all love to see the plan

You ask me for a contribution You ask me for a contribution Well, you know - We're doing what we can Well, you know - We're doing what we can

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But when you want money But when you want money for people with minds that hate for people with minds that hate All I can tell is brother you have to wait All I can tell is brother you have to wait Don't you know it's gonna be all right Don't you know it's gonna be all right all right, all right all right, all right You say you'll change the constitution You say you'll change the constitution Well, you know - We all want to change your Well, you know - We all want to change your head head You tell me it's the institution You tell me it's the institution

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Well, you know - You better free you mind Well, you know - You better free you mind instead instead But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow

Don't you know it's gonna be all right all right, Don't you know it's gonna be all right all right, all right, all right, all right, all right, all right, all all right, all right, all right, all right, all right, all right, all right , all right right, all right , all right

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Buffalo Springfield Buffalo Springfield

FOR WHAT IT’S WORTHFOR WHAT IT’S WORTH

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For What It’s Worth For What It’s Worth

There's something happening hereThere's something happening hereWhat it is ain't exactly clearWhat it is ain't exactly clearThere's a man with a gun over thereThere's a man with a gun over thereTelling me I got to bewareTelling me I got to bewareI think it's time we stop, children, what's that I think it's time we stop, children, what's that soundsoundEverybody look what's going downEverybody look what's going down

There's battle lines being drawnThere's battle lines being drawnNobody's right if everybody's wrongNobody's right if everybody's wrongYoung people speaking their mindsYoung people speaking their mindsGetting so much resistance from behindGetting so much resistance from behindI think it's time we stop, hey, what's that soundI think it's time we stop, hey, what's that soundEverybody look what's going downEverybody look what's going down

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For What It’s Worth For What It’s Worth

What a field-day for the heatWhat a field-day for the heatA thousand people in the streetA thousand people in the streetSinging songs and carrying signsSinging songs and carrying signsMostly say, hooray for our sideMostly say, hooray for our sideIt's time we stop, hey, what's that soundIt's time we stop, hey, what's that soundEverybody look what's going downEverybody look what's going down

Paranoia strikes deepParanoia strikes deepInto your life it will creepInto your life it will creepIt starts when you're always afraidIt starts when you're always afraidYou step out of line, the man come and take You step out of line, the man come and take you awayyou awayWe better stop, hey, what's that soundWe better stop, hey, what's that soundEverybody look what's going downEverybody look what's going down

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A Nation DividedA Nation Divided

DOVESDOVES HAWKSHAWKS

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In 1968, LBJ chose In 1968, LBJ chose not to run for not to run for president, and president, and Republican Richard Republican Richard M. Nixon was elected M. Nixon was elected on a platform of on a platform of ““Peace with HonorPeace with Honor””

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Nixon wanted the South Nixon wanted the South Vietnamese to play a Vietnamese to play a greater role in the war, a greater role in the war, a policy he labeled policy he labeled VietnamizationVietnamization

in spite of that, he in spite of that, he continues carpet continues carpet bombing Hanoi and bombing Hanoi and orders a secret invasion orders a secret invasion of Cambodiaof Cambodia

He relied on the He relied on the diplomacy of diplomacy of Henry Henry KissingerKissinger to achieve to achieve peace and/or an peace and/or an American withdrawalAmerican withdrawal

the US does manage to the US does manage to extricate itself by Jan. 27, extricate itself by Jan. 27, 19731973

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PHASE 3 – VIETNAMESE CIVIL PHASE 3 – VIETNAMESE CIVIL WAR, 1973-75WAR, 1973-75

the NVA easily defeated the NVA easily defeated the South by 1975; the the South by 1975; the South had appealed to South had appealed to Nixon for aid, which had Nixon for aid, which had been promised, but by been promised, but by 1975 Nixon was 1975 Nixon was embroiled in the embroiled in the domestic Watergate domestic Watergate Crisis, and he was in Crisis, and he was in essence a “lame duck”essence a “lame duck”

1975 – the US abandoned 1975 – the US abandoned its embassy in Saigon, its embassy in Saigon, which was renamed which was renamed Ho Chi Minh CityHo Chi Minh City in the in the newly unified and newly unified and communist Vietnamcommunist Vietnam

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A DAY IN VIETNAM A DAY IN VIETNAM

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EffectsEffects

3.3 million American troops served3.3 million American troops served58,000 American troops killed58,000 American troops killed303,000 wounded303,000 wounded2 million Vietnamese deaths2 million Vietnamese deathsTroops Troops

– Were not welcomed by publicWere not welcomed by public– 15% had post-traumatic stress15% had post-traumatic stress– Many resorted to alcohol and drugsMany resorted to alcohol and drugs

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EffectsEffects

““American can regain its sense of pride that American can regain its sense of pride that existed before Vietnam. But it cannot be existed before Vietnam. But it cannot be achieved by refighting a war that is finished as achieved by refighting a war that is finished as far as America is concerned.”far as America is concerned.”

- Gerald Ford- Gerald Ford““In the bus terminal, people were staring at me In the bus terminal, people were staring at me

and giving me dirty looks. I expected the people and giving me dirty looks. I expected the people to smile, like ‘Wow, she was in Vietnam, doing to smile, like ‘Wow, she was in Vietnam, doing something for her country – wonderful.’ I felt like something for her country – wonderful.’ I felt like I had walked into another country, not my I had walked into another country, not my country. So I went into the ladies’ room and country. So I went into the ladies’ room and changed.”changed.”

- Lily Jean Lee Adams – Army Nurse- Lily Jean Lee Adams – Army Nurse

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Vietnam War Memorial – Vietnam War Memorial – Maya Ying Lin Maya Ying Lin

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Vietnam War MemorialVietnam War Memorial

Documents

Slide 1 10,000 Day War (1946-75) Seeing Vietnam Through Media