Chapter 29- Section Chapter 29- Section 22

Escalation in VietnamEscalation in Vietnam

Kennedy and CommiesKennedy and Commies

President Kennedy confronts communism President Kennedy confronts communism in a few different ways:in a few different ways: Peace Corps: Sent volunteers to help with Peace Corps: Sent volunteers to help with

projects around the worldprojects around the world Alliance for Progress: gave $20 Billion to Latin Alliance for Progress: gave $20 Billion to Latin

America to prevent communismAmerica to prevent communism What were the two military ways we talked What were the two military ways we talked

about last week?about last week? Bays of Pigs invasion and Cuban BlockadeBays of Pigs invasion and Cuban Blockade

Imagine this…Imagine this… It is 1965, you are elected to Congress. It is 1965, you are elected to Congress.

Congratulations! Voters are concerned Congratulations! Voters are concerned about events in Vietnam, and you are about events in Vietnam, and you are carefully following the events so far. No one carefully following the events so far. No one knows what will happen if the U.S. gets knows what will happen if the U.S. gets more involved. It might help stop more involved. It might help stop communism, it might also kill thousands of communism, it might also kill thousands of American troops.American troops.

Would you support sending U.S. troops? Would you support sending U.S. troops? Why or why not?Why or why not?

President JohnsonPresident Johnson Some said he wanted this warSome said he wanted this war 1964- USS Maddox is fired upon in the Gulf of Tonkin1964- USS Maddox is fired upon in the Gulf of Tonkin Johnson asks Congress to allow him to take action = Johnson asks Congress to allow him to take action =

Tonkin Gulf ResolutionTonkin Gulf Resolution ““to take all necessary measures to repeal any armed attack to take all necessary measures to repeal any armed attack

against the forces of the U.S.”against the forces of the U.S.”

Questions…Questions…

Did the Congress ever declare war on Did the Congress ever declare war on Vietnam?Vietnam?

Why might there be issues with giving the Why might there be issues with giving the President the powers given in the Tonkin President the powers given in the Tonkin Gulf Resolution?Gulf Resolution?

Ho Chi Minh TrailHo Chi Minh Trail Ho Chi Minh Trail- Ho Chi Minh Trail- Supply route used by VCSupply route used by VC

Agent OrangeAgent Orange

Search and DestroySearch and Destroy

Tactic used in Vietnam Tactic used in Vietnam to search for enemies to search for enemies and enemy camps, and and enemy camps, and quickly leave. Once quickly leave. Once gone they could dump gone they could dump massive amount of massive amount of explosives on that area.explosives on that area.

U.S. Soldiers in VietnamU.S. Soldiers in Vietnam 2 million served2 million served 18-21 on average18-21 on average Soldiers everyday had to worry about Soldiers everyday had to worry about

land mines and trapsland mines and traps ““You simply trusted absolutely no one. I You simply trusted absolutely no one. I

mean, from a 5-year-old kid to a 75-year-mean, from a 5-year-old kid to a 75-year-old woman.”old woman.”

Many false myths about soldiersMany false myths about soldiers Enlisted vs draftedEnlisted vs drafted RacialRacial Suicidal and Drug useSuicidal and Drug use

Turning PointTurning Point

American military leaders thought we American military leaders thought we were nearing the end of the warwere nearing the end of the war

1968- New Year (Tet) normally meant 1968- New Year (Tet) normally meant cease-firecease-fire

Tet Offensive: Vietcong launched Tet Offensive: Vietcong launched surprise attacks all over South Vietnam surprise attacks all over South Vietnam

Uh Oh! Enemy is still really strongUh Oh! Enemy is still really strong

Tet changes mindsTet changes minds

After the Tet only After the Tet only 33% of Americans 33% of Americans believed the U.S. is believed the U.S. is winning the warwinning the war

49% said we 49% said we shouldn’t have shouldn’t have gone in.gone in.

Popular opinionPopular opinion

““Living room war”Living room war” HawksHawks DovesDoves Search and destroy Search and destroy

mission goes wrongmission goes wrong My Lai incident My Lai incident