“Before he [Freddy] died he sent me a letter and said he was going to come back and take care of me and build a big house for

us to live in. He never got that chance.”

KEY QUESTION - In what ways did the war change America?

-American government sent money to help the South Vietnamese, but no troops.

- American bombing and chemical spraying caused permanent damage to farmland and forests.

-Southeast Asia left highly unstable – led to further war in Cambodia

-Vietnam War left the United States less willing to get involved in wars.

-War Powers Act: (passed in 1973) limited the president’s war making powers

-President must report to congress within 48 hours if troops have been sent in situation without declaration of war.

-Troops may remain no longer than 90 days unless war is declared or congress approves

-Military tactics have changed – U.S. forces prefer to enter with “overwhelming force”

-This is intended to limit the number of American casualties

-In America’s invasion of Iraq, fear was expressed that this conflict could turn into another Vietnam.

-U.S. citizens distrusted government leaders

-American confidence in government was at a very low point.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=1567728n

Events Effects

1954 Vietnam is divided into North and South. U.S. sends economic aid to South Vietnam.

1962 Cuban Missile Crisis

1964 Congress passes Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

1968 Tet Offensive

1969 – 1970 Nixon announces Vietnamization

Increases fear that communism might spread

Escalation of U.S. involvement in Vietnam

Americans divide on the outcome of the War

U.S. begins to withdraw combat troops

1971 Twenty-sixth Amendment ratified

1973 Paris Peace Accord

1973 Congress passes War Powers Act

1975 Communists invade South Vietnam

Lowers voting age from 21 to 18

U.S. involvement in Vietnam War ends

Limits president’s ability to wage war

War ends after Communists take over

http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/videos#vietnam

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Dallek, Robert, Jesus Garcia, Donna M. Ogle, and C. Frederick Risinger. "What were thecauses and effects of America's involvement in the Vietnam War?" American history. Evanston, Ill.: McDougal Littell, 2008. 928.

"In History: Fall Of Saigon - CBS News Video." Breaking News Headlines: Business,

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20070419/57446-18819.jpg>.

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<http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/videos#vietnam>.

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sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/vienam.jpg>.

"Viet Cong." N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Apr 2010. <http://voxpublica.no/wp-content/

uploads/2008/01/vietcong.jpg>.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Page. 07 Apr. 2010 <http://thewall-usa.com/>.