Where is Vietnam?Where is Vietnam?

Why Did the United StatesWhy Did the United States Fight a War in Vietnam? Fight a War in Vietnam?

• Basically to hold the line against Basically to hold the line against the spread of world the spread of world Communism. America paid for Communism. America paid for the war the French fought the war the French fought against Communist Vietnam as a against Communist Vietnam as a part of the Truman Doctrine part of the Truman Doctrine (1947) “to help free peoples to (1947) “to help free peoples to maintain their free institutions maintain their free institutions and their national integrity and their national integrity against … totalitarian regimes.” against … totalitarian regimes.” In the 1950’s, America became In the 1950’s, America became involved again. involved again.

Longest and Most Unpopular WarLongest and Most Unpopular War

• The Vietnam War was the longest The Vietnam War was the longest and most unpopular war in and most unpopular war in American history. During the war:American history. During the war:– 58,000 Americans lost their lives.58,000 Americans lost their lives.

• The oldest man killed was 62 years old; The oldest man killed was 62 years old; the youngest, 16.the youngest, 16.

• 61% of the men killed were 21 or 61% of the men killed were 21 or younger.younger.

– 304,000 were wounded.304,000 were wounded.– 75,000 were severely disabled. 75,000 were severely disabled. – The United States spent over $200 The United States spent over $200

billion dollars on the war. billion dollars on the war.

Conflict Between France & VietnamConflict Between France & Vietnam• The Vietnam War grew out of The Vietnam War grew out of

the long conflict between the long conflict between France and Vietnam.France and Vietnam. – In July 1954, after one hundred In July 1954, after one hundred

years of colonial rule, a defeated years of colonial rule, a defeated France was forced to leave France was forced to leave Vietnam.Vietnam.

– Nationalist forces under the Nationalist forces under the direction of General Vo Nguyen direction of General Vo Nguyen Giap defeated the allied French Giap defeated the allied French troops at the remote mountain troops at the remote mountain outpost of Dien Bien Phu in the outpost of Dien Bien Phu in the northwest corner of Vietnam.northwest corner of Vietnam.

The Geneva Peace AccordsThe Geneva Peace Accords• The Geneva Peace Accords, The Geneva Peace Accords,

signed by France and Vietnam signed by France and Vietnam in the summer of 1954, in the summer of 1954, provided for the temporary provided for the temporary partition of Vietnam at the 17th partition of Vietnam at the 17th parallel, with national elections parallel, with national elections in 1956 to reunify the country.in 1956 to reunify the country.

• In the North, a communist In the North, a communist regime, supported regime, supported by the Soviet by the Soviet Union and the People's Union and the People's Republic of China, Republic of China, set up its set up its headquarters in Hanoi under headquarters in Hanoi under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh.the leadership of Ho Chi Minh.

Opposition to Geneva AccordsOpposition to Geneva Accords• The United States prevented the elections that were The United States prevented the elections that were

promised under the Geneva conference because it knew promised under the Geneva conference because it knew that the Communists would win. that the Communists would win. – Secretary of State John Foster Dulles thought the Geneva Secretary of State John Foster Dulles thought the Geneva

Accords granted too much power to the Communist Party of Accords granted too much power to the Communist Party of Vietnam.Vietnam.

– He and President Dwight D. He and President Dwight D. Eisenhower supported the creation of a Eisenhower supported the creation of a counter-revolutionary alternative south counter-revolutionary alternative south of the 17th parallel. of the 17th parallel.

• This was accomplished through This was accomplished through formation of the Southeast Asia formation of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO).Treaty Organization (SEATO).

A New Nation in the SouthA New Nation in the South

• Using SEATO for political cover, the Using SEATO for political cover, the Eisenhower administration helped create Eisenhower administration helped create a new nation in southern Vietnam. a new nation in southern Vietnam.

• In 1955, with the help of massive In 1955, with the help of massive amounts of American military, political, amounts of American military, political, and economic aid, the government of the and economic aid, the government of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) was born. was born.

• The following year, Ngo Dinh Diem, a The following year, Ngo Dinh Diem, a staunchly anti-Communist figure from staunchly anti-Communist figure from the South, won a dubious election that the South, won a dubious election that made him president of South Vietnammade him president of South Vietnam

The Domino TheoryThe Domino Theory• American policymakers developed the “Domino Theory” American policymakers developed the “Domino Theory”

as a justification for the involvement. This theory stated, as a justification for the involvement. This theory stated, “If South Vietnam falls to the Communist, Laos, “If South Vietnam falls to the Communist, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, India and Pakistan would Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, India and Pakistan would also fall like dominos. The Pacific Islands and even also fall like dominos. The Pacific Islands and even Australia could be at risk”.   Australia could be at risk”.  

South Vietnam Under DiemSouth Vietnam Under Diem• Diem claimed that his newly created Diem claimed that his newly created

government was under attack from government was under attack from Communists in the north.Communists in the north.

• In late 1957, with American military In late 1957, with American military aid, Diem began to counterattack. aid, Diem began to counterattack. – He used the help of the CIA (through He used the help of the CIA (through

Operation Phoenix) to identify those Operation Phoenix) to identify those who sought to bring his government who sought to bring his government down and arrested thousands. down and arrested thousands.

– He passed a repressive series of acts He passed a repressive series of acts known as Law 10/59 that made it legal known as Law 10/59 that made it legal to hold suspected Communists in jail to hold suspected Communists in jail without bringing formal charges. without bringing formal charges.

Opposition to DiemOpposition to Diem• The outcry against Diem's harsh and oppressive actions The outcry against Diem's harsh and oppressive actions

was immediate. was immediate. – Buddhist monks and nuns were joined by students, business Buddhist monks and nuns were joined by students, business

people, intellectuals, and peasants in opposition to Diem’s people, intellectuals, and peasants in opposition to Diem’s corrupt rule. corrupt rule.

– The more these forces attacked Diem's troops and secret police, The more these forces attacked Diem's troops and secret police, the more Diem complained that the Communists were trying to the more Diem complained that the Communists were trying to take South Vietnam by force. This was "a hostile act of take South Vietnam by force. This was "a hostile act of aggression by North Vietnam against peace-loving and aggression by North Vietnam against peace-loving and democratic South Vietnam." democratic South Vietnam."

The National Liberation FrontThe National Liberation Front• The Communists The Communists

supported the creation of supported the creation of a broad-based united front a broad-based united front to help mobilize to help mobilize southerners in opposition southerners in opposition to the government in to the government in South Vietnam. South Vietnam.

• On December 20, 1960, the National Liberation Front On December 20, 1960, the National Liberation Front (NLF) was born.(NLF) was born.– It brought together Communists and non-Communists in an It brought together Communists and non-Communists in an

umbrella organization that had limited, but important goals umbrella organization that had limited, but important goals – Anyone could join as long as they opposed Ngo Dinh Diem and Anyone could join as long as they opposed Ngo Dinh Diem and

wanted to unify Vietnam.wanted to unify Vietnam.

Washington White PapersWashington White Papers• In a series of government "White In a series of government "White

Papers," Washington insiders Papers," Washington insiders denounced the NLF, claiming that it denounced the NLF, claiming that it was merely a puppet of Hanoi. They was merely a puppet of Hanoi. They called it the "Viet Cong," a called it the "Viet Cong," a derogatory and slang term meaning derogatory and slang term meaning Vietnamese Communist. Vietnamese Communist.

• The NLF, on the other hand, argued The NLF, on the other hand, argued that it was autonomous and that it was autonomous and independent of the Communists in independent of the Communists in Hanoi and that it was made up Hanoi and that it was made up mostly of non-Communists. Many mostly of non-Communists. Many anti-war activists supported the anti-war activists supported the NLF's claims. NLF's claims.

December 1961 White PaperDecember 1961 White Paper

• In 1961, President Kennedy In 1961, President Kennedy sent a team to Vietnam to report sent a team to Vietnam to report on conditions in the South and on conditions in the South and to assess future American aid to assess future American aid requirements. requirements.

• The report, known as the The report, known as the "December 1961 White Paper," "December 1961 White Paper," argued for:argued for:– An increase in military, technical, and economic aidAn increase in military, technical, and economic aid– The introduction of large-scale American "advisers" The introduction of large-scale American "advisers"

to help stabilize the Diem regime and crush the NLF. to help stabilize the Diem regime and crush the NLF.

The Kennedy ResponseThe Kennedy Response• As Kennedy weighed the merits of As Kennedy weighed the merits of

these recommendations, some of these recommendations, some of his other advisers urged the his other advisers urged the president to withdraw from president to withdraw from Vietnam altogether.Vietnam altogether.

• In typical Kennedy fashion, the In typical Kennedy fashion, the president chose a middle route. president chose a middle route. – Instead of a large-scale military Instead of a large-scale military

buildup or a negotiated settlement, buildup or a negotiated settlement, the United States would increase the the United States would increase the level of its military involvement in level of its military involvement in South Vietnam through more South Vietnam through more machinery and advisers, but no machinery and advisers, but no military troops. military troops.

The Strategic Hamlet ProgramThe Strategic Hamlet Program

• To counteract the NLF's success To counteract the NLF's success in the countryside, Washington in the countryside, Washington and Saigon launched an and Saigon launched an ambitious military effort in the ambitious military effort in the rural areas. rural areas. – Called the Strategic Hamlet Called the Strategic Hamlet

Program, the new Program, the new counterinsurgency plan rounded counterinsurgency plan rounded up villagers and placed them in up villagers and placed them in "safe hamlets" controlled by the "safe hamlets" controlled by the government of South Vietnam. government of South Vietnam.

– The idea was to isolate the NLF The idea was to isolate the NLF from villagers, its base of supportfrom villagers, its base of support

NFL SuccessesNFL Successes

• This culturally-insensitive plan This culturally-insensitive plan further alienated the peasants from further alienated the peasants from the Saigon regime and produced the Saigon regime and produced more recruits for the NLF. more recruits for the NLF.

• By the summer of 1963, because of By the summer of 1963, because of NLF successes and its own failures, NLF successes and its own failures, it was clear that the government of it was clear that the government of South Vietnam was on the verge of South Vietnam was on the verge of political collapse. political collapse.

Buddhist Self-ImmolationsBuddhist Self-Immolations

• Diem's brother, Ngo Dinh Nhu, had Diem's brother, Ngo Dinh Nhu, had raided the Buddhist pagodas of South raided the Buddhist pagodas of South Vietnam, claiming that they had harbored Vietnam, claiming that they had harbored the Communists that were creating the the Communists that were creating the political instability. political instability.

• The result was massive protests on the The result was massive protests on the streets of Saigon that led Buddhist monks streets of Saigon that led Buddhist monks to self-immolation. to self-immolation.

• The pictures of the monks engulfed in The pictures of the monks engulfed in flames made world headlines and caused flames made world headlines and caused considerable consternation in Washington. considerable consternation in Washington.

Military CoupMilitary Coup

• By late September, the BuddhistBy late September, the Buddhistprotest had created such disloca-protest had created such disloca-tion in the south that the Kennedytion in the south that the Kennedyadministration supported a coup. administration supported a coup.

• In 1963, some of Diem's own In 1963, some of Diem's own generals approached the American generals approached the American Embassy in Saigon with plans to overthrow Diem. Embassy in Saigon with plans to overthrow Diem.

• With Washington's tacit approval, Diem and his brother were With Washington's tacit approval, Diem and his brother were captured and later killed. captured and later killed.

• Three weeks later, President Kennedy was assassinated on the Three weeks later, President Kennedy was assassinated on the streets of Dallas. streets of Dallas.

Escalation of the ConflictEscalation of the Conflict• At the time of the Kennedy and Diem At the time of the Kennedy and Diem

assassinations, there were 16,000 assassinations, there were 16,000 military advisers in Vietnam. military advisers in Vietnam. – The Kennedy administration had The Kennedy administration had

managed to run the war from Washington managed to run the war from Washington without the large-scale introduction of without the large-scale introduction of American combat troops. American combat troops.

– The continuing political problems in The continuing political problems in Saigon, however, convinced the new Saigon, however, convinced the new president, Lyndon Baines Johnson, that president, Lyndon Baines Johnson, that more aggressive action was needed. more aggressive action was needed.

• After a dubious North Vietnamese raid on two U.S. ships in After a dubious North Vietnamese raid on two U.S. ships in the Gulf of Tonkin, the Johnson administration argued for the Gulf of Tonkin, the Johnson administration argued for expansive war powers for the president. expansive war powers for the president.

Attack on American ShipsAttack on American Ships• In August 1964, in response to In August 1964, in response to

American and South Vietnamese American and South Vietnamese espionage along its coast, North espionage along its coast, North Vietnam launched an attack against Vietnam launched an attack against the C. Turner Joy and the U.S.S. the C. Turner Joy and the U.S.S. Maddox, two American ships on call Maddox, two American ships on call in the Gulf of Tonkin. in the Gulf of Tonkin. – The first attack occurred on The first attack occurred on

August 2, 1964. August 2, 1964. – A second attack was supposed to have A second attack was supposed to have

taken place on August 4, but authorities taken place on August 4, but authorities have recently concluded that no second have recently concluded that no second attack ever took place. attack ever took place.

The Gulf of Tonkin ResolutionThe Gulf of Tonkin Resolution• The Johnson The Johnson

administration used the administration used the August 4 attack to August 4 attack to obtain a Congressional obtain a Congressional resolution, now known resolution, now known as the Gulf of Tonkin as the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, that gave Resolution, that gave the president broad war the president broad war powers. powers.

• The Resolution was The Resolution was followed by limited followed by limited reprisal air attacks reprisal air attacks against North Vietnam. against North Vietnam.

Operation Rolling ThunderOperation Rolling Thunder• In early 1965, the NLF attacked two U.S. army In early 1965, the NLF attacked two U.S. army

installations in South Vietnam, and as a result, installations in South Vietnam, and as a result, Johnson ordered sustained bombing missions Johnson ordered sustained bombing missions over North Vietnam. over North Vietnam.

• The bombing missions, known as “Operation The bombing missions, known as “Operation Rolling Thunder,” caused the Communist Party to Rolling Thunder,” caused the Communist Party to reassess its own war strategyreassess its own war strategy

Phosphorous & Napalm BombsPhosphorous & Napalm Bombs

• ““Operation Rolling Operation Rolling Thunder” was backed up Thunder” was backed up by phosphorous and by phosphorous and napalm bombs – the napalm bombs – the latter causing dreadful latter causing dreadful burns to thousand of burns to thousand of innocent civilians.innocent civilians.

Operation Ranch HandOperation Ranch Hand• When this failed to break down the jungle cover the USAF When this failed to break down the jungle cover the USAF

started “Operation Ranch Hand” – the defoliation program, started “Operation Ranch Hand” – the defoliation program, using Agent Orange. using Agent Orange. – This deadly chemical cocktail, containing dioxin, killed off millions This deadly chemical cocktail, containing dioxin, killed off millions

of acres of jungle to try to weaken the Vietcong – but left a of acres of jungle to try to weaken the Vietcong – but left a horrendous legacy in Vietnam.horrendous legacy in Vietnam.

– The dioxin got into the food chain causing chromosome damage The dioxin got into the food chain causing chromosome damage to humans. There were hundreds of cases of children born with to humans. There were hundreds of cases of children born with deformities. deformities.

HelicoptersHelicopters

• Of all aircraft, theOf all aircraft, the helicopter was the helicopter was the most useful, most useful, dropping platoons dropping platoons in the jungle in the jungle clearings and out clearings and out again. They were again. They were excellent air excellent air ambulances. ambulances.

How did the North VietnameseHow did the North VietnameseFight Back Against the U.S. Invaders?Fight Back Against the U.S. Invaders?• The North Vietnamese used classic Maoist The North Vietnamese used classic Maoist

guerrilla tactics. “Guerrillas must move through guerrilla tactics. “Guerrillas must move through the peasants like fish through sea,” i.e., the the peasants like fish through sea,” i.e., the peasants will support them as much as they can peasants will support them as much as they can with shelter, food, weapons, storage, intelligence, with shelter, food, weapons, storage, intelligence, recruits. recruits.

North Vietnamese TacticsNorth Vietnamese Tactics• In areas held by the NLF, the In areas held by the NLF, the

Communists distributed the Communists distributed the land to the peasants. (By 1973, land to the peasants. (By 1973, the NLF held about half of the NLF held about half of South Vietnam.)South Vietnam.)

• Their weapons were cheap Their weapons were cheap and reliable.and reliable.– The AK47 assault rifle out-performed the American M16The AK47 assault rifle out-performed the American M16

– The portable rocket launcher took out many US vehicles & aircraft.The portable rocket launcher took out many US vehicles & aircraft. – They recycledThey recycled dud bombs dropped by the Americans. Deadly dud bombs dropped by the Americans. Deadly

booby-traps could inflict huge damage on young American booby-traps could inflict huge damage on young American conscripts! conscripts!

Tunnel ComplexesTunnel Complexes

• The Vietnamese built large tunnel complexes The Vietnamese built large tunnel complexes such as the ones at Cu Chi near Saigon. This such as the ones at Cu Chi near Saigon. This protected them from the bombing raids by the protected them from the bombing raids by the Americans and gave them cover for attacking the Americans and gave them cover for attacking the invaders. invaders.

Search & Destroy TacticsSearch & Destroy Tactics• The United States countered The United States countered

with “Search and Destroy” with “Search and Destroy” tactics. In areas where the NLF tactics. In areas where the NLF were thought to be operating, were thought to be operating, troops went in and checked for troops went in and checked for weapons. If they found them, weapons. If they found them,

they rounded up the villagers and burned the villages down. they rounded up the villagers and burned the villages down. • This often alienated the peasants from the American/South This often alienated the peasants from the American/South

Vietnamese cause. Vietnamese cause. – As one marine said – “If they weren’t Vietcong before we got there, As one marine said – “If they weren’t Vietcong before we got there,

they sure as hell were by the time we left”. they sure as hell were by the time we left”. – The NFL often helped the villager’s re-build their homes and bury The NFL often helped the villager’s re-build their homes and bury

their dead.their dead.

Protracted War StrategyProtracted War Strategy

• After “Operation After “Operation Rolling Thunder,” the Rolling Thunder,” the Communist Party Communist Party moved to a protracted moved to a protracted war strategy: the idea war strategy: the idea was to get the United was to get the United States bogged down inStates bogged down ina war that it could not a war that it could not win militarily and create win militarily and create unfavorable conditions unfavorable conditions for political victory. for political victory.

The War in AmericaThe War in America

• The Vietnam War had a major The Vietnam War had a major impact on everyday life in impact on everyday life in America, and the Johnson America, and the Johnson administration was forced to administration was forced to consider domestic consequences consider domestic consequences of its decisions daily.of its decisions daily.

• Since there were not enough Since there were not enough volunteers to continue to fight a volunteers to continue to fight a protracted war, the government protracted war, the government instituted a draft. instituted a draft.

Anti-War SentimentsAnti-War Sentiments

• As the deaths mounted As the deaths mounted and Americans and Americans continued to leave for continued to leave for Southeast Asia, the Southeast Asia, the Johnson administration Johnson administration was met with the full was met with the full weight of American anti-weight of American anti-war sentiments. war sentiments.

Anti-War ProtestsAnti-War Protests

• Protests erupted on college campuses and in Protests erupted on college campuses and in major cities at first, but by 1968 every corner of major cities at first, but by 1968 every corner of the country seemed to have felt the war's impact.the country seemed to have felt the war's impact.

1968 Democratic Convention1968 Democratic Convention• One of the most famous incidents One of the most famous incidents

in the anti-war movement was the in the anti-war movement was the police riot in Chicago during the police riot in Chicago during the 1968 Democratic National 1968 Democratic National Convention.Convention.

• Hundreds of thousands of people Hundreds of thousands of people came to Chicago in August 1968 came to Chicago in August 1968 to protest American intervention to protest American intervention in Vietnam and the leaders of the in Vietnam and the leaders of the Democratic Party who continued Democratic Party who continued to prosecute the war. to prosecute the war.

The Tet OffensiveThe Tet Offensive• By 1968, things had gone from bad to worse for the Johnson By 1968, things had gone from bad to worse for the Johnson

administration. In late January, North Vietnam and the NLF administration. In late January, North Vietnam and the NLF launched coordinated attacks against major southern cities.launched coordinated attacks against major southern cities.

• These attacks, known as the Tet Offensive, were designed to These attacks, known as the Tet Offensive, were designed to force the Johnson administration to the bargaining table. force the Johnson administration to the bargaining table.

The My Lai MassacreThe My Lai Massacre• A serious blow to U.S. credibility came with the A serious blow to U.S. credibility came with the

exposure of the My Lai massacre (March 1968).exposure of the My Lai massacre (March 1968).• Hushed up at the time and only discovered by a Hushed up at the time and only discovered by a

tenacious journalist, this involved the killing of tenacious journalist, this involved the killing of 400 men, women and children by US troops.  400 men, women and children by US troops. 

A Secret Plan to End the WarA Secret Plan to End the War• In late March 1968, a disgraced In late March 1968, a disgraced

Lyndon Johnson announced that he Lyndon Johnson announced that he would not seek the Democratic would not seek the Democratic Party's re-nomination for president Party's re-nomination for president and hinted that he would go to the and hinted that he would go to the bargaining table with the bargaining table with the Communists to end the war.Communists to end the war.

• Negotiations began in the spring of Negotiations began in the spring of 1968, but the Democratic Party 1968, but the Democratic Party could not rescue the presidency could not rescue the presidency from Republican challenger Richard from Republican challenger Richard Nixon who claimed he had a secret Nixon who claimed he had a secret plan to end the war. plan to end the war.

VietnamizationVietnamization

• Nixon's secret plan involved a Nixon's secret plan involved a process called “Vietnamization.” process called “Vietnamization.” This strategy brought American This strategy brought American troops home while increasing troops home while increasing the air war over North Vietnam the air war over North Vietnam and relying more on the South and relying more on the South Vietnamese army for ground Vietnamese army for ground attacks. attacks.

Expansion to Laos & CambodiaExpansion to Laos & Cambodia

• The Nixon years also saw the expansion of the war into The Nixon years also saw the expansion of the war into neighboring Laos and Cambodia, violating the neighboring Laos and Cambodia, violating the international rights of these countries in secret international rights of these countries in secret campaigns, as the White House tried desperately to rout campaigns, as the White House tried desperately to rout out Communist sanctuaries and supply routes.out Communist sanctuaries and supply routes.

Campus Protests & ShootingsCampus Protests & Shootings

• The intense bombing The intense bombing campaigns and campaigns and intervention in intervention in Cambodia in late Cambodia in late April 1970 sparked April 1970 sparked intense campus intense campus protests all across protests all across America. America.

Kent StateKent State

• At Kent State in At Kent State in Ohio, four students Ohio, four students were killed by were killed by National Guardsmen National Guardsmen who were called out who were called out to preserve order on to preserve order on campus after days of campus after days of anti-Nixon protest.anti-Nixon protest.

Jackson StateJackson State

• Shock waves crossed the Shock waves crossed the nation as students at nation as students at Jackson State in Mississippi Jackson State in Mississippi were also shot and killed for were also shot and killed for political reasons, prompting political reasons, prompting one mother to cry, "They one mother to cry, "They are killing our babies in are killing our babies in Vietnam and in our own Vietnam and in our own backyard." backyard."

The Christmas BombingsThe Christmas Bombings• In December 1972, the Nixon administration unleashed a In December 1972, the Nixon administration unleashed a

series of deadly bombing raids against targets in North series of deadly bombing raids against targets in North Vietnam’s largest cities, Hanoi and Haiphong. Vietnam’s largest cities, Hanoi and Haiphong.

• These attacks, now known as the Christmas bombings, These attacks, now known as the Christmas bombings, brought immediate condemnation from the international brought immediate condemnation from the international community and forced the Nixon administration to community and forced the Nixon administration to reconsider its tactics and negotiation strategy. reconsider its tactics and negotiation strategy.

The Paris Peace AgreementThe Paris Peace Agreement• In early January 1973, the Nixon In early January 1973, the Nixon

White House convinced Saigon White House convinced Saigon that they would not abandon the that they would not abandon the South Vietnamese army if they South Vietnamese army if they signed the peace accord. signed the peace accord.

• On January 23, therefore, the final On January 23, therefore, the final draft was initialed, ending open draft was initialed, ending open hostilities between the United hostilities between the United States and North Vietnam. States and North Vietnam.

• The Paris Peace Agreement did The Paris Peace Agreement did not end the conflict in Vietnam, not end the conflict in Vietnam, however, as Saigon continued to however, as Saigon continued to battle Communist forces. battle Communist forces.

The Fall to CommunismThe Fall to Communism• From March 1973 until the fall of From March 1973 until the fall of

Saigon on April 30, 1975, the South Saigon on April 30, 1975, the South Vietnamese army tried desperately to Vietnamese army tried desperately to save the South from political and save the South from political and military collapse. military collapse.

• The end finally came when North The end finally came when North Vietnamese tanks rolled south along Vietnamese tanks rolled south along National Highway One. National Highway One.

• On the morning of April 30, On the morning of April 30, Communist forces captured the Communist forces captured the presidential palace in Saigon, ending presidential palace in Saigon, ending the Vietnam War. the Vietnam War.

Why Did the United States Why Did the United States Lose the Vietnam War?Lose the Vietnam War?

1.1. They underestimated the tenacity and They underestimated the tenacity and organization of the North Vietnamese and the organization of the North Vietnamese and the National Liberation Front.   National Liberation Front.  

2.2. Despite dropping Despite dropping more tonnage of high more tonnage of high explosive on Vietnam explosive on Vietnam than the whole of than the whole of World War II, the World War II, the Americans could not Americans could not stop the movement stop the movement of troops or supplies of troops or supplies to the south along to the south along the Ho Chi Minh the Ho Chi Minh Trail.   Trail.  

3.3. The North Vietnamese The North Vietnamese conducted a “Peoples conducted a “Peoples war” in which everyone war” in which everyone played a part. played a part.

4.4. At first, most Americans supported the war. At first, most Americans supported the war. But by 1970, the Peace Movement had But by 1970, the Peace Movement had support from all parts of society and no support from all parts of society and no government could ignore it. government could ignore it.

5.5. After 1969, there were After 1969, there were deep questions about deep questions about the efficiency of US the efficiency of US troops. There was a troops. There was a serious drug problem; serious drug problem; desertion rates were desertion rates were high and morale low. high and morale low. Many troops were Many troops were “time-servers,” i.e., “time-servers,” i.e., counted the days until counted the days until the tour was over. the tour was over.

6.6. The US never really The US never really understood the culture of understood the culture of the Vietnamese people. the Vietnamese people. Coca Cola, chewing gum, Coca Cola, chewing gum, ball point pens, and ice ball point pens, and ice cream cones could not cream cones could not dislodge their ancient dislodge their ancient beliefs. beliefs.

7.7. America was not prepared to keep losing high America was not prepared to keep losing high numbers of casualties for such limited progress numbers of casualties for such limited progress in a difficult jungle war, for which they were in a difficult jungle war, for which they were not suited.   not suited.  

8.8. The strength and resourcefulness of the NLF. The strength and resourcefulness of the NLF. For example, the highly complex Cu Chi For example, the highly complex Cu Chi tunnel system the U.S. never shut down.   tunnel system the U.S. never shut down.  

SourcesSources

• Battlefield Vietnam: A Brief HistoryBattlefield Vietnam: A Brief Historyhttp://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/history/index.htmlhttp://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/history/index.html

• Vietnam Revision GuideVietnam Revision Guidehttp://www.learnhistory.org.uk/vietnam/ustactics.htm http://www.learnhistory.org.uk/vietnam/ustactics.htm