Vietnam & the 1970’s. French Indochina The territory that would become known as The territory that...
69
Vietnam & the Vietnam & the 1970’s 1970’s
Vietnam & the 1970’s. French Indochina The territory that would become known as The territory that would become known as Vietnam was a colony of France
French Indochina The territory that would become known as The
territory that would become known as Vietnam was a colony of France
prior to the outbreak of WWII This included the area of Laos,
Cambodia, & Vietnam The Indochinese Communist Party was founded
in 1930 & led by Ho Chi Minh The French condemned Minh to death
& he fled to the Soviet Union In 1942 the Japanese took over
French Indochina and ruled it until the end of the war in 1945 In
1942 the Japanese took over French Indochina and ruled it until the
end of the war in 1945 Ho Chi Minh returned to Vietnam &
organized the Vietminh whose goal was independence in Vietnam Ho
Chi Minh was supported & supplied by the United States After
Japanese surrender in WWII the French tried to reclaim the colony
After Japanese surrender in WWII the French tried to reclaim the
colony The Vietnamese had resisted the Japanese & after WWII
they began to resist the French Ho Chi Minh
Slide 3
French Indochina Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnams Independence on
2 September 1945 in Hanoi and borrowed much from Thomas Jeffersons
Declaration of Independence Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnams
Independence on 2 September 1945 in Hanoi and borrowed much from
Thomas Jeffersons Declaration of Independence The French refused to
recognize this declaration President Truman ignored various
communications from Ho Chi Minh from 1945 to 1949 who pleaded with
the U.S. for support President Truman ignored various
communications from Ho Chi Minh from 1945 to 1949 who pleaded with
the U.S. for support The U.S. although officially opposed to
colonialism refused to support the communist Minh against a Cold
War ally the French In 1949 Ho Chi Minh finally accepted military
aid from the Soviet Union and Communist China The U.S. decided to
financially support the French war effort in Vietnam The U.S.
decided to financially support the French war effort in Vietnam
Over the next 9 years the U.S. would spend close to $1 billion
supporting the French against Ho Chi Minh U.S. was afraid of a
weakened France would not help to defend postwar Europe The United
States didnt see Ho Chi Minh as a Nationalist leader only as a
communist The United States didnt see Ho Chi Minh as a Nationalist
leader only as a communist This would prove to be a critical
mistake President Truman Ho Chi Minh
Slide 4
French Indochina When Eisenhower became President in 1953 he
was involved in a stalemate in Korea and thus continued to pour
money to the French to prevent a communist takeover of Vietnam When
Eisenhower became President in 1953 he was involved in a stalemate
in Korea and thus continued to pour money to the French to prevent
a communist takeover of Vietnam This was all part of the Domino
Theory that said that all of the countries that are on the brink of
communism are like a row of dominos & if one falls the rest
will go in succession This was all part of the Domino Theory that
said that all of the countries that are on the brink of communism
are like a row of dominos & if one falls the rest will go in
succession In May of 1954 the Vietminh overran the French outpost
at Dien Bien Phu In May of 1954 the Vietminh overran the French
outpost at Dien Bien Phu
Slide 5
The Geneva Accords From May-July 1954 France, Great Britain,
U.S.S.R., U.S., China, Laos, and Cambodia met in Geneva,
Switzerland with the Vietminh and with S. Vietnams anticommunists
to come to a peace settlement From May-July 1954 France, Great
Britain, U.S.S.R., U.S., China, Laos, and Cambodia met in Geneva,
Switzerland with the Vietminh and with S. Vietnams anticommunists
to come to a peace settlement The Geneva Accords as they were known
temporarily divided Vietnam along the 17 th parallel The Geneva
Accords as they were known temporarily divided Vietnam along the 17
th parallel Ho Chi Minh ruled the north from Hanoi and the S.
Vietnamese nationalists ruled the south from Saigon An election was
to be held to unify the country in 1956 An election was to be held
to unify the country in 1956
Slide 6
Vietnam after the French Despite brutal & repressive
tactics Ho Chi Minh Despite brutal & repressive tactics Ho Chi
Minh received much support in the North by breaking up large
estates and redistributed them amongst the poor Also his fighting
against the Japanese & French occupation made him a national
hero as well Because of Ho Chi Minhs widespread support Ngo Dinh
Diem the anti-communist leader of South Vietnam refused to hold the
scheduled elections in the south Because of Ho Chi Minhs widespread
support Ngo Dinh Diem the anti-communist leader of South Vietnam
refused to hold the scheduled elections in the south The U.S.
supported this cancellation b/c of the likelihood that Dinh Diem
would lose to Ho Chi Minh Diems govt became more & more corrupt
& he began to be even more oppressive to his people to keep
control Diem who was a devout catholic put restrictions on his
Buddhist citizens religious practices Diem who was a devout
catholic put restrictions on his Buddhist citizens religious
practices South Vietnamese leader Ngo Dinh Diem
Slide 7
Vietnam after the French In 1957 a South Vietnamese Communist
opposition group known as the Vietcong began to assassinate
thousands of South Vietnamese officials In 1957 a South Vietnamese
Communist opposition group known as the Vietcong began to
assassinate thousands of South Vietnamese officials In 1959 Ho Chi
Minh & the North Vietnamese began to supply arms to the
Vietcong through a network of paths along the border of Vietnam,
Laos, and Cambodia that became known as the Ho Chi Minh Trail In
1959 Ho Chi Minh & the North Vietnamese began to supply arms to
the Vietcong through a network of paths along the border of
Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia that became known as the Ho Chi Minh
Trail President Eisenhower decided to continue to help the South
Vietnamese govt financially as well as by sending U.S. military
personnel to advise the S. Vietnamese military; saying were going
to sink or swim with Ngo Dinh Diem President Eisenhower decided to
continue to help the South Vietnamese govt financially as well as
by sending U.S. military personnel to advise the S. Vietnamese
military; saying were going to sink or swim with Ngo Dinh Diem
Above: Ho Chi Minh Trail Below: Pres. Eisenhower w/ Diem
Slide 8
JFK & Vietnam During President Kennedys term in office
During President Kennedys term in office the U.S. continued to help
finance the South Vietnamese govt under Diem Pres. Kennedy didnt
want to look soft Pres. Kennedy didnt want to look soft on
communism by letting Vietnam fall but didnt want to get fully
involved in a war he wasnt sure we could win So President Kennedy
increased the So President Kennedy increased the number of military
advisors in S. Vietnam to 16,000 by 1963 During this time however
Diems popularity During this time however Diems popularity
continued to plummet To guard against the Vietcong threat in S.
Vietnam Diem began a strategic hamlet program This moved all
villagers from an area from their farms into protected hamlets to
avoid having these groups fall under the control of the Vietcong
Above: President Kennedy addressing the nation about Vietnam Below:
Ngo Dinh Diem
Slide 9
Diem & the Buddhists Buddhist in S. Vietnam began to
protest their lack of influence and representation in S. Vietnamese
govt under Diem Buddhist in S. Vietnam began to protest their lack
of influence and representation in S. Vietnamese govt under Diem
Diem a devout catholic became fed up with Buddhist demonstrations
Diem a devout catholic became fed up with Buddhist demonstrations
Diem imprisoned and killed hundreds of Buddhists clergymen &
destroyed their pagodas (temples) Diem imprisoned and killed
hundreds of Buddhists clergymen & destroyed their pagodas
(temples) Several Buddhists monks & nuns burned themselves to
death in public protest Several Buddhists monks & nuns burned
themselves to death in public protest Kennedy implored Diem to stop
the persecutions but Diem refused Kennedy realized that Diems
regime had to go & supported through the CIA and Ambassador
Henry Cabot Lodge a military coup & assassination of Ngo Dinh
Diem and his corrupt brother Ngo Dinh Nhu Kennedy realized that
Diems regime had to go & supported through the CIA and
Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge a military coup & assassination of
Ngo Dinh Diem and his corrupt brother Ngo Dinh Nhu Buddhist Monk
Thich Quang Duc
Slide 10
President Johnson & Vietnam Shortly before his death Pres.
Kennedy had announced his intention to withdraw 1,000 U.S. advisors
from S. Vietnam by 1963 and possibly all by 1965 saying that In the
final analysis, its their war Shortly before his death Pres.
Kennedy had announced his intention to withdraw 1,000 U.S. advisors
from S. Vietnam by 1963 and possibly all by 1965 saying that In the
final analysis, its their war Many people debate however if he
would have actually withdrawn U.S. troops Kennedys comments were
made when the war was still thought to be winnable by the S.
Vietnamese & U.S. advisors would no longer be necessary South
Vietnam was even more chaotic after Diems death South Vietnam was
even more chaotic after Diems death South Vietnam would go through
5 different govts after Diem A power struggle began in S. Vietnam
between their Generals for control All future govts in S. Vietnam
looked like puppet U.S. govts because of our complicity in the
assassination of Diem All future govts in S. Vietnam looked like
puppet U.S. govts because of our complicity in the assassination of
Diem President Johnson was determined not to allow a communist
takeover of S. Vietnam President Johnson was determined not to
allow a communist takeover of S. Vietnam Johnson was afraid that if
the U.S. allowed S. Vietnam to fall like China had then the U.S.
would be seen as appeasers & the U.S.S.R. would continue to
support communist takeovers of every country President Lyndon
Johnson
Slide 11
The Tonkin Gulf Resolution On August 2, 1964 a North Vietnamese
patrol boat fired a torpedo at the U.S.S. Maddox a destroyer which
was patrolling the Gulf of Tonkin On August 2, 1964 a North
Vietnamese patrol boat fired a torpedo at the U.S.S. Maddox a
destroyer which was patrolling the Gulf of Tonkin The torpedo
missed Two days later the Maddox & another destroyer on a day
with poor visibility reported enemy torpedos again & returned
fire Two days later the Maddox & another destroyer on a day
with poor visibility reported enemy torpedos again & returned
fire The attacks on U.S. ships prompted Pres. Johnson to launch
bombing strikes on North Vietnam in retaliation The attacks on U.S.
ships prompted Pres. Johnson to launch bombing strikes on North
Vietnam in retaliation Pres. Johnson then asked Congress for powers
to take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against
the forces of the United States & to prevent any further
aggression Pres. Johnson then asked Congress for powers to take all
necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of
the United States & to prevent any further aggression The
measure passed with only two votes against it on August 7 th Now
without a formal declaration of war Pres. Johnson had broad powers
to use military force in Vietnam Similar to the resolution that
Pres. George W. Bush received from Congress to use against Saddam
Hussein and Iraq
Slide 12
The Tonkin Gulf Resolution Unbeknownst to Congress the
Unbeknownst to Congress the U.S. had been leading secret raids
against N. Vietnam President Johnson had prepared President Johnson
had prepared the resolution months before the incident & had
been waiting for the right opportunity In Feb. of 1965 after a
Vietcong attack killed 8 Americans President Johnson launched
Operation Rolling Thunder In Feb. of 1965 after a Vietcong attack
killed 8 Americans President Johnson launched Operation Rolling
Thunder A sustained bombing attack of North Vietnam
Slide 13
Operation Rolling Thunder In March of 1965 the first U.S.
combat troops began arriving in South Vietnam & by June more
than 50,000 U.S. soldiers were fighting against the Vietcong In
March of 1965 the first U.S. combat troops began arriving in South
Vietnam & by June more than 50,000 U.S. soldiers were fighting
against the Vietcong This has become known as the Americanization
of the Vietnam War Above: U.S. B-52 bombers bombing North Vietnam
Below: U.S. marines arriving in Vietnam
Slide 14
Increased Involvement In the early stages the American people
supported U.S. involvement in Vietnam In the early stages the
American people supported U.S. involvement in Vietnam But didnt
want a full scale engagement In the 1964 election President Johnson
won b/c his opponent Barry Goldwater was very anti-communist &
might push the U.S. into war with the Soviet Union In the 1964
election President Johnson won b/c his opponent Barry Goldwater was
very anti-communist & might push the U.S. into war with the
Soviet Union In campaign speeches Pres. Johnson said that he was
not about to send American boys 9 or 10,000 miles away from home to
do what Asian boys ought to be doing for themselves In March of
1965 after consulting with Sec. of Defense Robert McNamara and Sec.
of State Dean Rusk Pres. Johnson began to send tens of thousands of
U.S. soldiers to fight in Vietnam In March of 1965 after consulting
with Sec. of Defense Robert McNamara and Sec. of State Dean Rusk
Pres. Johnson began to send tens of thousands of U.S. soldiers to
fight in Vietnam Polls taken in 1965 showed that 61% of Americans
supported Pres. Johnsons policies in Vietnam while only 24% opposed
those policies People were afraid that if the U.S. stood back &
allowed Vietnam to fall that the Soviets would become more
aggressive all over the world & we would be fighting another
Vietnam somewhere else in a year People were afraid that if the
U.S. stood back & allowed Vietnam to fall that the Soviets
would become more aggressive all over the world & we would be
fighting another Vietnam somewhere else in a year If we could just
stop them in Vietnam we could prevent them from becoming aggressive
elsewhere Some people however did warn of impending problems Some
people however did warn of impending problems Undersecretary of
State George Ball warned that once on the tigers back, we cannot be
sure of picking the place to dismount
Slide 15
William Westmoreland The General in Charge of Vietnam was Gen.
William Westmoreland The General in Charge of Vietnam was Gen.
William Westmoreland By the end of 1965 the U.S. had sent 180,000
Americans to Vietnam By the end of 1965 the U.S. had sent 180,000
Americans to Vietnam Gen. Westmoreland continued to request more
troops Gen. Westmoreland continued to request more troops The U.S.
was supposed to help & support the (ARVN) Army of the Republic
of Vietnam Westmoreland questioned the fighting ability of ARVN
& felt the U.S. would need more forces to prevent a communist
takeover Johnson believed that maybe a strong showing of support by
sending large numbers of combat troops would deter further Soviet
support of the Vietcong Johnson believed that maybe a strong
showing of support by sending large numbers of combat troops would
deter further Soviet support of the Vietcong By 1967 the number of
U.S. troops in Vietnam had grown to 500,000 By 1967 the number of
U.S. troops in Vietnam had grown to 500,000
Slide 16
Misguided Assumptions Entering the Vietnam war the U.S. felt
that its superiority in technology would lead to a quick victory in
Vietnam Entering the Vietnam war the U.S. felt that its superiority
in technology would lead to a quick victory in Vietnam The jungle
terrain, determination of the enemy, and their guerrilla tactics
however turned the war into a stalemate Much like the Americans in
the Am. Revolution the Vietcong resorted to hit & run tactics
Much like the Americans in the Am. Revolution the Vietcong resorted
to hit & run tactics Ambushing their opponent & slipping
away Using their knowledge of the jungle to harass & lay booby
traps for U.S. forces Also they were indistinguishable from the
civilian population & were able to move in and out of villages
they were able to attack the U.S. forces in the cities & out in
the countryside as well as spy on U.S. forces Also they were
indistinguishable from the civilian population & were able to
move in and out of villages they were able to attack the U.S.
forces in the cities & out in the countryside as well as spy on
U.S. forces It became nearly impossible for U.S. forces to tell
between friend or foe It became nearly impossible for U.S. forces
to tell between friend or foe
Slide 17
The Air War The bombing of North Vietnam had little effect The
bombing of North Vietnam had little effect The Vietnamese adapted
The Vietnamese adapted Concrete and steel bridges were replaced
with pontoon bridges made of bamboo pontoon bridges made of bamboo
that was sunk during the day to that was sunk during the day to
avoid detection avoid detection 50,000 Vietnamese worked full- time
to fill bomb craters in roads time to fill bomb craters in roads
Trucks traveled at night w/o headlights The Government built 30,000
miles of tunnels tunnels
Slide 18
Tunnels To avoid U.S. firepower the Vietcong built an extremely
elaborate tunnel system that connected villages all over the
countryside To avoid U.S. firepower the Vietcong built an extremely
elaborate tunnel system that connected villages all over the
countryside This enabled the Vietcong to withstand aerial attacks
& escape from surprise attacks quickly U.S. troops laid
landmines throughout the jungle because they didnt know the exact
location of the Vietcong U.S. troops laid landmines throughout the
jungle because they didnt know the exact location of the Vietcong
The Vietcong would then disassemble these landmines & use them
to booby trap & set their own landmines in the jungle The
Vietcong would then disassemble these landmines & use them to
booby trap & set their own landmines in the jungle These mines
caused major havoc & grief for the many U.S. patrols that had
to go out & navigate the jungle Not knowing where to step &
always afraid of being blown up by a trap Above: Vietnam tunnel
rats probing a Vietcong tunnel Below: Vietnam patrol walking into
the jungle
Slide 19
Tunnels
Slide 20
War of Attrition General Westmoreland decided upon General
Westmoreland decided upon a war of attrition a war of attrition One
in which they would gradually wear down the Vietcong by inflicting
heavy losses The U.S. began to focus on body counts to determine
success Problem was that often times these body counts were
inflated & even the accurate ones didnt relate to actual
success The Vietcong had been fighting for 30 years & morale
was not hurt by taking heavy losses The U.S. didnt understand the
type of war that was being fought The U.S. didnt understand the
type of war that was being fought The U.S. thought in purely
military terms & felt that as the body counts rose the Vietcong
would give up The Vietcong were fighting for their very existence
& were prepared to pay any price They were driving out a
foreign occupier it didnt matter to them if that occupier was
Japan, France or the U.S. Ironically the mistakes that the U.S.
made in terms of their perception of the war were very similar to
the mistakes that the British had made during the American
Revolution U.S. Marine standing in front of a destroyed Vietcong
headquarters
Slide 21
Winning their Hearts and Minds The U.S. tried to win the
support of the S. Vietnamese people to limit the effectiveness of
the Vietcong The U.S. tried to win the support of the S. Vietnamese
people to limit the effectiveness of the Vietcong This proved to be
much more difficult than expected Most Vietnamese didnt care what
govt their country had & just wanted their lives returned to
normal & tended to side with the Vietcong who were fellow
Vietnamese people
Slide 22
Friend or Foe? As is often the case with a civil war it became
increasingly difficult for U.S. forces to tell the difference
between friend & foe As is often the case with a civil war it
became increasingly difficult for U.S. forces to tell the
difference between friend & foe Soldiers that were subject to
ambushes from Vietcong that had blended into the civilian
population caused many U.S. soldiers to become increasingly
distrustful of all Vietnamese This distrust occasionally developed
into outward hostility The U.S. military also used many
questionable tactics to root out the Vietcong The U.S. military
also used many questionable tactics to root out the Vietcong
Napalm, a jelly like gasoline based bomb that set fire to jungle
areas was often used Agent Orange a leaf-killing toxic chemical was
used to defoliate the jungles that the Vietcong were hiding in
Saturation of these weapons often wounded civilians and left
villages in ruins Above: Napalm strike on a suspected Vietcong
controlled village S of Saigon Below: Children fleeing accidental
napalm strike
Slide 23
Agent Orange Children deformed from contact with Agent
Orange
Slide 24
Search and Destroy Missions In an effort to uproot the Vietcong
the U.S. often sent out Search & Destroy missions to uproot
civilians who were suspected of assisting the Vietcong In an effort
to uproot the Vietcong the U.S. often sent out Search & Destroy
missions to uproot civilians who were suspected of assisting the
Vietcong Uprooting civilians, killing their livestock, &
burning their villages Many villagers fled into the cities creating
mass groups of poor refugees Many villagers fled into the cities
creating mass groups of poor refugees 3 million by 1967 Left: U.S.
Soldiers on patrol in Vietnam Below: Search and Destroy Mission in
a Vietnamese village
Slide 25
Soldiers Burden The first soldiers entering Vietnam believed in
the cause of halting the spread of communism & doing their duty
like their fathers had in WWII The first soldiers entering Vietnam
believed in the cause of halting the spread of communism &
doing their duty like their fathers had in WWII Frustration with
Vietcong guerilla warfare tactics, frustration with lack of
civilian support, frustrations with the brutal jungle conditions,
and frustrations with a complete lack of progress despite
increasing body counts led low morale of soldiers in Vietnam
Frustration with Vietcong guerilla warfare tactics, frustration
with lack of civilian support, frustrations with the brutal jungle
conditions, and frustrations with a complete lack of progress
despite increasing body counts led low morale of soldiers in
Vietnam Morale was best in the early stages of war when victory was
believed to be soon & the soldiers were made up of primarily
enlisted men rather than the overwhelming draft majority of later
years Many soldiers turned to alcohol, marijuana & other drugs
to cope with their frustrations Many soldiers turned to alcohol,
marijuana & other drugs to cope with their frustrations Some
soldiers took out their frustrations on the civilian populations,
others on their superior officers
Slide 26
Great Society loses to Vietnam As the U.S. involvement in
Vietnam increased the nations economy began to suffer. As the U.S.
involvement in Vietnam increased the nations economy began to
suffer. Inflation rate increased from 2% to 5.5% by 1969 Pres.
Johnson introduced a tax increase but had to cut $6 billion from
his Great Society programs By 1967 the United States By 1967 the
United States had dropped more bombs than in all theaters of WWII
had close to a million troops on the ground was spending $2 billion
dollars a month on the war Vietnam was the first war in which
television had a major impact Vietnam was the first war in which
television had a major impact Combat footage appeared in millions
of homes nightly Combat footage appeared in millions of homes
nightly Became known as the living-room war Became known as the
living-room war
Slide 27
Conflicting Reports While the American public was flooded with
pictures from battle & optimistic body count statistics While
the American public was flooded with pictures from battle &
optimistic body count statistics General Westmoreland continually
reported that a Vietcong surrender was near General Westmoreland
continually reported that a Vietcong surrender was near Sec. of
Defense Robert McNamara was quoted as saying that he could see the
light at the end of the tunnel Sec. of Defense Robert McNamara was
quoted as saying that he could see the light at the end of the
tunnel The length of the war & the number of Americans
returning in body bags told the American public a different story
The length of the war & the number of Americans returning in
body bags told the American public a different story 16,000 deaths
between 1961-67 Americans couldnt figure out why if we were so
powerful why was it taking so long to win Media began talking about
a Credibility Gap between what was reported by the Johnson
administration & what was really happening Media began talking
about a Credibility Gap between what was reported by the Johnson
administration & what was really happening Above: General
Westmoreland Below: American bodies arriving back in the U.S.
Slide 28
The DRAFT Because of fear of weakening its military readiness
in case of another communist threat somewhere else in the world the
Johnson administration decided not to call up the National Guards
or Army Reserve Because of fear of weakening its military readiness
in case of another communist threat somewhere else in the world the
Johnson administration decided not to call up the National Guards
or Army Reserve Instead they relied heavily on the draft to supply
soldiers for Vietnam Consequently most of the soldiers fighting in
Vietnam were young (18- 26 years old) As the war in Vietnam drug on
more & more people began to oppose the war As the war in
Vietnam drug on more & more people began to oppose the war The
majority of people that opposed the war were not the middle aged
men whom had fought in WWII or Korea but rather the young draft
aged youth of America This led many objectors to try to find ways
out of military service This led many objectors to try to find ways
out of military service Some men tried to get medical deferments
from friendly doctors Some men joined the National Guard or Coast
Guard to avoid service in Vietnam
Slide 29
Minority Service The most common way for men of draft age to
avoid military service was to get a college deferment The most
common way for men of draft age to avoid military service was to
get a college deferment Young men could enroll in a university
& put off his military service The majority of people who could
afford to go to college to avoid military service during the 1960s
were wealthy white males The majority of people who could afford to
go to college to avoid military service during the 1960s were
wealthy white males The majority of draftees were lower-class
whites or minorities Thus 80% of American soldiers came from lower
economic levels
Slide 30
Malcolm X on Vietnam Malcolm X was one of the first Civil
Rights leaders Malcolm X was one of the first Civil Rights leaders
to speak out against African-American participation in Vietnam As
early as December 31, 1964 Malcolm X addressed African- American
teenagers in McComb, Mississippi speaking out against
African-Americans fighting in Vietnam Malcolm X discussed the
hypocrisy that existed in America at that time Malcolm X discussed
the hypocrisy that existed in America at that time If it is wrong
to be violent defending Black women and Black childrenthen it is
wrong for America to draft us and make us violent abroad in defense
of her. And if it is alright for America to draft us, and teach us
how to be violent in defense of her, then it is right for you and
me to do whatever is necessary to defend our own people right here
in this country.
Slide 31
Minority Service Not only were there disproportionate numbers
of minorities drafted there were also an unequal number of African
Americans ground combat troops Not only were there disproportionate
numbers of minorities drafted there were also an unequal number of
African Americans ground combat troops A-As accounted for 22% of
U.S. combat deaths in the first two years of the war while they
made up only 11% of the population This inequity led the Defense
Department to institute a draft lottery in 1969 to try & even
out the numbers This inequity led the Defense Department to
institute a draft lottery in 1969 to try & even out the
numbers
Slide 32
Minority Service In the early years of the Vietnam war Martin
Luther King Jr. kept silent about the war to avoid losing focus on
the civil rights movement In the early years of the Vietnam war
Martin Luther King Jr. kept silent about the war to avoid losing
focus on the civil rights movement By 1967 though King spoke out
about the cruel irony of American blacks dying for a country that
still treated them as second class citizens By 1967 though King
spoke out about the cruel irony of American blacks dying for a
country that still treated them as second class citizens We are
taking the young black men who had been crippled by our society and
sending them eight thousand miles away to guarantee the liberties
in Southeast Asia which they have not found in Southwest Georgia
and East Harlem Racial hostility led to violence in many platoons
and also led to low military morale in Vietnam Racial hostility led
to violence in many platoons and also led to low military morale in
Vietnam
Slide 33
Women & the USO Though women were not allowed to serve
combat duty in the 1960s 10,000 women did serve in Vietnam, mostly
as military nurses Though women were not allowed to serve combat
duty in the 1960s 10,000 women did serve in Vietnam, mostly as
military nurses Thousands volunteered in the American Red Cross and
the United Services Organization which delivered hospitality and
entertainment to troops abroad Thousands volunteered in the
American Red Cross and the United Services Organization which
delivered hospitality and entertainment to troops abroad The leader
of this USO troop was Bob Hope a comedian that traveled with this
variety show to entertain troops all over the world Raquel Welch
performing for the troops in a USO show in Vietnam
Slide 34
Hawks vs. Doves Those who strongly opposed the war were known
as DOVES Those who strongly opposed the war were known as DOVES
Those who strongly felt that the U.S. should unleash its great
military force to win the war were known as HAWKS Those who
strongly felt that the U.S. should unleash its great military force
to win the war were known as HAWKS Despite the very vocal minority
the majority of Americans whether opposed to the war or not
believed that the actions of protesters were disloyal to the U.S.
Despite the very vocal minority the majority of Americans whether
opposed to the war or not believed that the actions of protesters
were disloyal to the U.S. 70% polled in 1967 felt that protesters
were disloyal to U.S. 70% polled in 1967 felt that protesters were
disloyal to U.S. They were appalled that people were publicly
protesting while Americans were fighting & dying for their
country Americans who support U.S. involvement began to demonstrate
as well Americans who support U.S. involvement began to demonstrate
as well Developing slogans such as Support our men in Vietnam &
America Love it or Leave it
Slide 35
Hawks vs. Doves Despite attacks from the Doves for not Despite
attacks from the Doves for not withdrawing and attacks from the
Hawks for not increasing military power fast enough Johnson
remained firm that slow escalation was the way to go The Johnson
administration took a hit when The Johnson administration took a
hit when Sec. of Defense Robert McNamara resigned to become the
head of World Bank McNamara had been the biggest supporter of slow
escalation and Johnsons chief war advisor Many in the military
attacked Johnson for his micromanagement of the war Many in the
military attacked Johnson for his micromanagement of the war Pres.
Johnson placed limits on the areas in which the U.S. forces could
bomb Weary of military people Johnson demanded that he approve ALL
targets in N. Vietnam before they could be bombed The military
ordered many bombing halts to show the Vietcong that we were
willing to negotiate These halts only allowed the Vietcong to
regroup Sec. of Defense Robert McNamara
Slide 36
Opposition to Vietnam
Slide 37
The anti-war protesters were a very divided group The anti-war
protesters were a very divided group The New Left viewed the war as
a classic example of the way the American ruling class exploited
helpless people to sustain a decadent capitalist system The New
Left viewed the war as a classic example of the way the American
ruling class exploited helpless people to sustain a decadent
capitalist system Anti-War Liberals charged that U.S. escalation in
Vietnam violated the 1954 Geneva Accords and the Constitution of
the U.S. Anti-War Liberals charged that U.S. escalation in Vietnam
violated the 1954 Geneva Accords and the Constitution of the U.S.
They felt that by backing a corrupt authoritarian government the
U.S. was betraying its own principles That the use of napalm &
herbicides violated basic standards of human behavior Questioned
the validity of the domino theory Made up of a wide group from
college students to Army Generals to artists and singers to
politicians
Slide 38
Opposition to Vietnam College campuses in the 1960s became much
more politically active College campuses in the 1960s became much
more politically active Civil rights struggles made many students
more politically aware Now Vietnam gave them another cause The
growing youth movement became known as the New Left The growing
youth movement became known as the New Left Organizations such as
the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) claimed that the U.S.
had been taken over by corporations and large government
institutions Free Speech Movement (FSM) started in 1964 at the
University of California at Berkeley and began constant protests on
campus In April of 1965 SDS organized a march on Washington D.C.
that included nearly 20,000 protesters In April of 1965 SDS
organized a march on Washington D.C. that included nearly 20,000
protesters In November a protest rally in Washington drew In
November a protest rally in Washington drew more than 30,000 In
February of 1966 Pres. Johnson announced that In February of 1966
Pres. Johnson announced that deferments would only be granted to
college students that were in good academic standing This set off
protests on college campuses all across the nation The SDS actively
counseled students to flee to Canada or Sweden 400 campuses had an
active SDS chapter by 1969
Slide 39
Opposition to Vietnam Reasons for opposition varied Reasons for
opposition varied The most common was the belief that the conflict
in Vietnam was a civil war & the U.S. had no business being
involved Many felt that the oppressive regime in South Vietnam was
no better than the communists they were fighting Some felt that the
U.S. shouldnt be policing the globe Others were just morally
against war Popular singers of the day such as Peter, Paul &
Mary; Joan Baez etc used music as a way to protest the war Popular
singers of the day such as Peter, Paul & Mary; Joan Baez etc
used music as a way to protest the war They pointed out the fact
that an American male could be drafted at age 18 but had to be 21
to vote for or against the people that were sending them to
war
Slide 40
Opposition to Vietnam Although the opposition to Vietnam was a
small group they were visible and articulate Although the
opposition to Vietnam was a small group they were visible and
articulate Singer Joan Baez refused to pay that portion of her
income tax that went to the defense budget Muhammad Ali declared
himself a conscientious objector and refused induction into the
army Captain Howard Levy used the doctrine of individual
responsibility set forth at the Nuremberg war crimes trial of WWII
to justify his refusal to train medical teams for combat in Vietnam
Quaker Norman Morrison immolated himself directly below Sec. of
Defense Robert McNamaras Pentagon office window in Nov. of 1965
Sen. William Fulbright held nationally televised hearings over the
Vietnam War Protestors marched daily around Protestors marched
daily around the White House Singer Joan Baez Boxer Muhammad
AliSen. William Fulbright
Slide 41
Opposition to Vietnam In the spring of 1967 half a million
protesters gathered in Central Park, NYC In the spring of 1967 half
a million protesters gathered in Central Park, NYC Chanting Hell,
no, we wont go! and Burn cards, not people! Burnt draft cards in a
large bonfire In October of 1967 demonstrations at Washington D.C.s
Lincoln Memorial drew 75,000 protesters In October of 1967
demonstrations at Washington D.C.s Lincoln Memorial drew 75,000
protesters Of those 30,000 locked arms & marched on the
Pentagon They were met by military police 1,500 demonstrators were
injured and 700+ arrested
Slide 42
Draft Dodgers Men such as David Harris spent 20 months in jail
rather than serving in Vietnam Men such as David Harris spent 20
months in jail rather than serving in Vietnam From 1967 until the
end of the war 200,000+ were accused by the govt of some sort of
draft offense From 1967 until the end of the war 200,000+ were
accused by the govt of some sort of draft offense Nearly 4,000
draft resisters were imprisoned 30,000 Americans fled the country
to avoid service 30,000 Americans fled the country to avoid service
Most to Canada
Slide 43
Legacy of Opposition to Vietnam The impact of the antiwar
protestors has been controversial The impact of the antiwar
protestors has been controversial Dissent in the United States
undoubtedly encouraged Hanoi to hold out for victory Dissent in the
United States undoubtedly encouraged Hanoi to hold out for victory
But nothing says they would have gave up any sooner Anti-War
protests did not turn the American people against the war Anti-War
protests did not turn the American people against the war Many
Americans found the radical and hippie elements more obnoxious than
the war Protests may have even strengthened support for the war The
protests did expose error and self-deception in the government and
encourage distrust of political authority The protests did expose
error and self-deception in the government and encourage distrust
of political authority The protests did cause fatigue and anxiety
among the policy makers and the public The protests did cause
fatigue and anxiety among the policy makers and the public Which
led to a shortening of the war
Slide 44
Helicopter War The Helicopter became a The Helicopter became a
very important part of the Vietnam war These gun ships were used
These gun ships were used to move small platoons of soldiers in and
out of jungle areas Since their was not solid front the helicopters
allowed armies to be more mobile Since their was not solid front
the helicopters allowed armies to be more mobile They were also
great to evacuate wounded or to bring in supplies into dense jungle
area They were also great to evacuate wounded or to bring in
supplies into dense jungle area
Slide 45
Helicopter War The Helicopter was also used to provide
artillery support for ground troops The Helicopter was also used to
provide artillery support for ground troops Because of the dense
jungle it was difficult to locate targets at high speed with jet
aircrafts The helicopter with its slower speed & ability to
hover was a perfect tool for providing air artillery Many
helicopter patrols would go out and interdict Vietcong supply lines
Many helicopter patrols would go out and interdict Vietcong supply
lines
Slide 46
Tet Offensive On January 30, 1968 the Vietnamese began the Tet
holiday On January 30, 1968 the Vietnamese began the Tet holiday
Tet was the Vietnamese New Year (Lunar year began) Throughout the
day villagers took advantage of the week long truce and flooded
into the cities across S. Vietnam to celebrate the New Year
Throughout the day villagers took advantage of the week long truce
and flooded into the cities across S. Vietnam to celebrate the New
Year Many funerals for war victims were being held at this same
time With the funerals came firecrackers, flutes, & coffins
Rather than dead bodies however the coffins contained weapons &
many of the villagers were Vietcong agents Rather than dead bodies
however the coffins contained weapons & many of the villagers
were Vietcong agents That night the Vietcong launched an
overwhelming attack on over 100 towns and cities in S. Vietnam as
well as 12 U.S. air bases That night the Vietcong launched an
overwhelming attack on over 100 towns and cities in S. Vietnam as
well as 12 U.S. air bases Even attacking the U.S. embassy at
Saigon, killing 5 Americans Above: U.S. marines fighting at the S.
Vietnamese city of Hue during the Tet offensive Below: Wounded
soldiers
Slide 47
Tet Offensive
Slide 48
The Tet offensive lasted for a month before the U.S. and S.
Vietnamese regained control of the cities The Tet offensive lasted
for a month before the U.S. and S. Vietnamese regained control of
the cities The U.S. claimed the Tet offensive to be an overwhelming
victory for the U.S. The U.S. claimed the Tet offensive to be an
overwhelming victory for the U.S. Militarily it was the Vietcong
lost 32,000 soldiers in the month long battle U.S. & ARVN lost
only about 3,000 Psychologically and politically Tet was a major
defeat for the U.S. Psychologically and politically Tet was a major
defeat for the U.S. The American public had been told time and
again that the Vietcong were on the ropes & near defeat The
American public had been told time and again that the Vietcong were
on the ropes & near defeat If that were true how were they able
to launch an offensive of this magnitude? President Johnsons
credibility with the American people took a major hit President
Johnsons credibility with the American people took a major hit
Above: the charred remains of a Vietcong Right: Wounded U.S.
soldiers during Tet Below: Pres. Johnson
Slide 49
Tet Offensive The image of assassination made a permanent
impact on the consciousness of many Americans The image of
assassination made a permanent impact on the consciousness of many
Americans Despite atrocities on both sides the brutality made many
question the purpose of the war Nguyen Ngoc Loan, Chief of the
South Vietnamese national police assassinated a Vietcong
captive
Slide 50
Aftermath of the Tet Offensive In a matter of weeks millions of
Americans changed their minds about the war in Vietnam In a matter
of weeks millions of Americans changed their minds about the war in
Vietnam The percent of people who claimed to be hawks dropped from
56% before Tet to just 40% after while Doves rose from 28% to 40%
The percent of people who claimed to be hawks dropped from 56%
before Tet to just 40% after while Doves rose from 28% to 40% Even
the mainstream journalists began to openly criticize the war Even
the mainstream journalists began to openly criticize the war Walter
Cronkite one of the most Walter Cronkite one of the most respected
journalists of the day began to claim that the war in Vietnam would
end in a stalemate Prompting Pres. Johnson to say that if Ive lost
Cronkite then Ive lost the American people Walter Cronkite
Slide 51
Aftermath of the Tet Offensive Pres. Johnson replaced McNamara
with Clark Clifford a supporter of Johnsons policy Pres. Johnson
replaced McNamara with Clark Clifford a supporter of Johnsons
policy After assuming the post Clifford decided that the war &
Vietnam was a sinkhole with no end in sight Johnsons popularity
plummeted after the Tet offensive Johnsons popularity plummeted
after the Tet offensive Polls taken after Tet indicated 60%
disapproval of his handling of the Vietnam war Almost half of the
country now believed Almost half of the country now believed that
it was a mistake to send troops to Vietnam War weariness set in and
people began War weariness set in and people began to look for a
way out Sec. of Defense Clark Clifford
Slide 52
Aftermath of the Tet Offensive Pres. Johnson listening to tapes
of combat during the Tet Offensive
Slide 53
The Election of 1968 By 1968 the war in Vietnam was going badly
& the Democratic party was split By 1968 the war in Vietnam was
going badly & the Democratic party was split New York Senator
Robert Kennedy announced that he would not run for president but
fellow Senator Eugene McCarthy from Minnesota did choose to run In
the March New Hampshire primary McCarthy only lost to the President
42% to 48% After this primary Senator Kennedy announced his
candidacy The Democratic party became a house divided. The
Democratic party became a house divided. Senator Eugene McCarthy
Senator Robert F. Kennedy
Slide 54
The Election of 1968 On March 31, 1968 President Johnson made
On March 31, 1968 President Johnson made a televised address to the
nation announcing a dramatic change in the U.S.s policy toward
Vietnam He said that the U.S. would seek negotiations to end the
war, American escalation would end and steps would be made to
ensure that the South Vietnamese played a larger role At the end of
his speech President Johnson paused & then shocked the nation
by announcing that he would not seek another term as President of
the U.S. At the end of his speech President Johnson paused &
then shocked the nation by announcing that he would not seek
another term as President of the U.S. Later Vice President Hubert
Humphrey would chose to run for the Democratic nomination as well
Later Vice President Hubert Humphrey would chose to run for the
Democratic nomination as well Pres. Johnson turns down re-election
bid
Slide 55
RFK Assassinated On June 4, two months after the assassination
of Martin Luther King, Jr. Democratic candidate Sen. Kennedy won
the crucial California primary. On June 4, two months after the
assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Democratic candidate Sen.
Kennedy won the crucial California primary. Just after midnight on
June 5, Sen. Robert Kennedy gave a victory speech in his Los
Angeles hotel Just after midnight on June 5, Sen. Robert Kennedy
gave a victory speech in his Los Angeles hotel To avoid the crowd
Kennedy passed through the hotels kitchen A young Palestinian
immigrant Sirhan Sirhan was hiding there with a gun Sirhan who
later stated he was upset with Kennedys support of Israel fatally
shot Sen. Robert Kennedy
Slide 56
The Election of 1968 After the assassination of Robert Kennedy
the Democratic nomination centered around McCarthy & V-P Hubert
Humphrey After the assassination of Robert Kennedy the Democratic
nomination centered around McCarthy & V-P Hubert Humphrey The
Republicans nominated Richard Nixon The Republicans nominated
Richard Nixon Richard Nixon promised to restore law & order
& vaguely promised to end the war in Vietnam Alabama Governor
George Wallace entered the race as an independent third party
candidate Alabama Governor George Wallace entered the race as an
independent third party candidate Wallace was in favor of school
segregation & states rights & pulled many southern voter
& even many northern voter that were tired of inner-city riots
& anti-war protests
Slide 57
Democratic National Convention 1968 - Chicago
Slide 58
In August nearly 10 thousand anti-war demonstrators converged
on the city of Chicago to protest the Democratic National
Convention In August nearly 10 thousand anti-war demonstrators
converged on the city of Chicago to protest the Democratic National
Convention The nomination of the Democratic party had all been
decided to go to VP Humphrey who because of his ties to Pres.
Johnson was in full support of the U.S. war effort Chicagos Mayor
Richard Daley mobilized 12,000 Chicago police and 5,000 National
Guard Chicagos Mayor Richard Daley mobilized 12,000 Chicago police
and 5,000 National Guard On August 28 th as delegates cast their
votes for Humphrey protesters gathered to march on the convention
On August 28 th as delegates cast their votes for Humphrey
protesters gathered to march on the convention Police sprayed
protesters with mace and beat them with nightsticks Protesters then
pelted riot-helmeted police with rocks & bottles A riot ensued
Inside the convention hall delegates began to argue & bitterly
debate an anti-war plank to the party platform; TV cameras caught
it all Inside the convention hall delegates began to argue &
bitterly debate an anti-war plank to the party platform; TV cameras
caught it all
Slide 59
Democratic National Convention 1968 - Chicago Above: Scenes
inside the Convention Hall in Chicago Around: Scenes outside the
Convention Hall in Chicago
Slide 60
Democratic National Convention 1968 - Chicago President Johnson
tried to stage manage the convention President Johnson tried to
stage manage the convention The large anti-war delegates from the
New York and California delegations were separated and seated in
the back of the hall Favorable delegates were seated nearest the
podium The mikes were cut several times from the California
delegations He ensured that the party would adopt a platform that
praised the Presidency policy on Vietnam He ensured that the party
would adopt a platform that praised the Presidency policy on
Vietnam Protesters on top of the statue in Grant Park
Slide 61
Democratic National Convention 1968 - Chicago In front of the
Hilton hotel, the campaign headquarters of Humphrey and McCarthy,
people flow into the streets while the National Guard lines up to
drive them out.
Slide 62
The Election of 1968 With the Democratic party in turmoil
Republican candidate Richard Nixon walked away with the Presidency
that had eluded him in 1960 With the Democratic party in turmoil
Republican candidate Richard Nixon walked away with the Presidency
that had eluded him in 1960 After the 1960 election defeat to
Kennedy Nixon ran for Gov. of California in 1962 and lost that one
as well Before the election of 1968 Nixons political career was
seen as over Nixon had to answer to speculations of improper
business dealings & gave his famous I am not a crook speech
Richard Nixon won 301 electoral votes to 191 for Hubert Humphrey
and 46 for George Wallace Richard Nixon won 301 electoral votes to
191 for Hubert Humphrey and 46 for George Wallace Pres. Richard
Nixon
Slide 63
Election of 1968
Slide 64
America in 1968
Slide 65
Counter Culture As people became disenfranchised with the
government and societal establishments a counter culture emerged As
people became disenfranchised with the government and societal
establishments a counter culture emerged Mostly white, middle-class
college youths Instead of challenging the system they turned their
back on traditional America and tried to establish a whole new
society based on peace and love Hippies Harvard Psychology
professor Timothy Leary Harvard Psychology professor Timothy Leary
began to encourage youth to tune in, turn on, and drop out He also
encouraged LSD use as a mind-expanding aid for self-awareness He
also encouraged LSD use as a mind-expanding aid for self-awareness
Many hippies turned to Eastern religions such as Zen Buddhism that
stressed enlightenment through meditation Many hippies turned to
Eastern religions such as Zen Buddhism that stressed enlightenment
through meditation Hippies wore ragged jeans, tie-dyed T-shirts,
love beads and Native American ornaments and grew their hair out
Hippies wore ragged jeans, tie-dyed T-shirts, love beads and Native
American ornaments and grew their hair out
Slide 66
Communal Living Many hippies left school, work, or home to live
in communes Many hippies left school, work, or home to live in
communes Members renounced private property Haight-Ashbury became
the hippie capital because California did not outlaw hallucinogenic
drugs until 1966 Haight-Ashbury became the hippie capital because
California did not outlaw hallucinogenic drugs until 1966 The
Hippie movement began to decline in the early 1970s The Hippie
movement began to decline in the early 1970s Communes became
dangerous places to live, violence erupted Drug use caused
addiction and mental breakdowns in many Singers Janis Joplin and
Jimi Hendrix died of drug overdoses in the 1970s Ironically
thousands of hippies lined up at government offices to collect
welfare checks and food stamps Ironically thousands of hippies
lined up at government offices to collect welfare checks and food
stamps Above: Dennis Hopper in a commune Below: Meditation at a
commune Left: Janis Joplin Right: Jimi Hendrix
Slide 67
Rock Music Rock n Roll became the anthem of the counter culture
Rock n Roll became the anthem of the counter culture The Beatles a
British band from Liverpool burst on to the scene in 1964 The
Beatles a British band from Liverpool burst on to the scene in 1964
Beatle mania set records in sales Beatle mania set records in sales
Song lyrics spoke of the Song lyrics spoke of the discontent with
the govern- ment & the Vietnam War Songs spoke of drug use
& Songs spoke of drug use &rebellion
Slide 68
Woodstock
Slide 69
Woodstock In August of 1969 on a farm in upstate New York
400,000 people showed up for a free music festival called Woodstock
Music and Art Fair In August of 1969 on a farm in upstate New York
400,000 people showed up for a free music festival called Woodstock
Music and Art Fair For three days some of the most popular bands
performed such as: Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, the Grateful Dead,
Jefferson Airplane, Joe Cocker, and Joan Baez Represented the
movement for peace and for peace andlove Above: Jimi Hendrix Below:
The Grateful Dead