THE 10,000 DAY WARObjective: Analyze the cause and events of the Vietnamese war Std 11.9.3g
Background -French French got kicked out of Indo-China during
WWII Asia for Asians Japanese lost WWII Vietnamese thought that they had their own
country French came back Pair share – Is it fair for the Vietnamese to
want their own country after WWII? Do they deserve it?
Background - US French could not handle fighting the
Vietnamese themselves Assistance from the US
Korea was a Stalemate Focused on Domino theory in Vietnam
Fight the Vietminh (Communist) France pulls out Vietnam splits to North (Communist) and
South (Democratic) Country wide elections got cancelled out of
fear
Background – US involvement
Vietcong – communist in the South – fought US and killed US supported president
Gulf of Tonkin USS Maddox fired upon Returned fire and damaged N Vietnamese boat 2 day later thought they were attacked
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Gave Pres. Johnson power over military Everything was done in secret
Round 1 – We’re here, now what?
“once on the tiger’s back, we cannot be sure of picking the place to dismount.”
Increase troops in Vietnam Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN)
was weak and needed support of America
Round 1 - Fighting Superior weapons but not useable in
jungle Couldn’t tell enemy from civilian More Vietcong bodies the sooner they
would surrender Napalm & Agent Orange to find Vietcong Turn to drugs to get over their guilt/low
morale Others fought patriotically like WWII vets
Napalm!
Round 1 - Home Draft – working class Protests Hawks Doves
Round 2 – Background Tet – New Years truce Vietcong dressed as civilians holding
funerals Surprise attack – 100 towns & 12 bases Vietcong lost – 32,000 dead
Or did they? US Public shocked thought enemy was
close to defeat Johnson doesn’t run for president
Vietnam, 1968
Helicopters!
Round 2 - Nixon Nixon won ‘68 election Pull out of Vietnam Vietnamization
turn control over to Vietnamese troops Peace with Honor
Hoped S. Vietnam stay in power One last bombing Also bombed Cambodia, Laos for good measure
Round 2 - Last Fight My Lai
Massacred 200 innocent Vietnamese Invade Cambodia
Clear Ho Chi Minh Trail Pentagon Papers
Showed Johnson lied about staying out of Vietnam during campaign
Peace never happened on Nixon’s terms N Vietnamese wanted it their way
Seeing this on TV led to a loss of support at home
Hippie bashing!!!
Hippies/Anti-war
The End? 58,000 killed 303,000 wounded Americans
2 millions Vietnamese killed US struggled with out come Vets came home to uncertainty More problems after US left Vietnam Fighting between Hawks & Doves War Powers Act – 1973 President must
inform congress of action within 48 hours Has 90 days before congress must approve
America now must consider risks before war Suspicious of government
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