Vietnam

Indochina

France colonized it first, then Japan conquered it after in 1940-41. After the war, France wants it back. Ho Chi Minh thought we’d support him. We don’t and instead support France’s ownership. because we would need a strong France to go against communism.

Ho Chi Minh

The Vietnamese president during the Vietnam War. After we deny Vietnam Indochina, he resorts to war. The first Vietnam War demonstrated nearly all the problems of the second. The US did not fight the first one. We did supply the French

Geneva Accords

With France reeling, the British and USSR held a peace conference in Geneva, Switzerland in 1954.

Divided Vietnam, temporarily, along the 17^th parallel. The French were to withdraw first below the line, then altogether. Elections would be held in 1956, with reunification to follow. Similar elections were to be held in Laos and Cambodia

Creation of south Vietnam

Us refused to sign Geneva accords. Feared communism would spread through Vietnam or something idk. Eisenhower wanted to use Korea as a model and create a separate southern Vietnam state, with the 17th parallel as a border instead of a temp. dividing line. This would be a clear violation of the Geneva accords but us didnt sign so they didnt gaf for real.

Ngo Dinh Diem

With the US trying to create the whole South Vietnam, and whatever we decide to support the new government that would be led by ___ ____ ____. Who was non-communist and catholic. Many Vietnamese didn’t wanna live under Ho Chi Minh cause bro was evil, communist, ruthless, tyrant for real. Sadly, this guy would prove to be just as tyrannical.

Diems failings

held fraudulent elections in the south. •ignored American advice for political and economic reforms and sanctioned corruption and oppression. Did nothing to appease conflict between Catholics and Buddhists, peasants and landlords, mountain tribes and coastal peoples, northern refugees and southern residents, various ethnic and linguistic groups–Diem used the army to enforce his will. Angry southern rebels, labelled the Viet Cong by Diem, retaliate by killing government officials in a reign of terror that began in earnest in 1959. Debate still rages among scholars as to how much Vietnam was a civil war and how much was directed by Hanoi/Ho.  The VC had reasons to attack, they did so often at the direction of others

Kennedy (during Vietnam)

•While still a senator in 1959, he called South Vietnam “the cornerstone of the Free World in Southeast Asia, the keystone to the arch, the finger in the dike.” (wants to save it). Provided psychological impetus with his “can-do” attitude, Provided the military means to attempt the action – Flexible Response – expanded American options for “limited war.”

Green Berets and other special forces created for quick transport to hot spots and counter-insurgency operations. Trained in jungle and guerilla warfare, to fight modern wars. Kennedy even chose their uniforms, down to the berets

Expands Eisenhower’s 500-man contingent of advisors, to buy Diem time to win his people’s “hearts and minds.” 16,000 troops committed by 1963, including planes and helicopters

Warning for Vietnam war

French pres. dude Charles DeGaulle told us it was stupid and pointless. Lots of documents proving many thought this was stupid.

Why other with Vietnam

rice production is critical–an invocation of Munich. Must stand up to the bad guys.  Must show our resolve–Reinforced by the “Domino Theory”. If Vietnam falls, then its neighbors will fall, then their neighbors

Domino Theory

If Vietnam falls, then its neighbors will fall, then their neighbors …

Lyndon Johnson

Determined to earn “victory” in Vietnam. •Refused to negotiate.  Did not seek peace until it was too late. Feared a failure would sacrifice the future to conservative hard-liners. His “Great Society” at stake.  War on poverty, civil rights, public works, education, urban renewal, Medicare/Medicaid, etc. He takes a Harvard Business School approach to war. Steadily escalate the costs until the enemy breaks

Tonkin Gulf Resolution

•Two American Destroyers (Maddox and C. Turner Joy) supposedly fired upon by NV patrol boats on August 2 and/or 4–Johnson depicts this as a freedom of the seas issue?  Announces retaliatory strikes. Just looking for an excuse?

•Congress passes resolution (88-2 and 466-0). Authorized Johnson to “take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression”

operation rolling thunder

Following a Viet Cong attack on an airfield at Pleiku, Johnson launched ______ _______ _______. 

We bomb places where we think supplies might be, rather than hitting the dikes, port of Haiphong, or populated areas like Hanoi

SDS

radical student group •got their start in 1962.  Port Huron Statement

opposed rabid anticommunism, racial conflict, the military industrial complex, poverty, inequality. Attack everything from the Vietnam War to the old boy network. Had no trouble finding problems.  Solutions harder to come by.

First targets were the universities. Free speech was one issue.  Give radicals their say

Hippies/Diggers

Movement took on a personal tone. Stylistic anarchy.  Hair length, clothes, living arrangements. Differ from earlier “Beatniks” primarily in the use of mind-altering drugs. Eventually co-opted by the media and advertising … as so many things are

“Rock-n-Roll”

epitomised the rebellion of youth from conformity. Anti-family values at its core.  Essentially means “Love em and Leave em”. By the mid-1960s, raw sexuality will no longer be so restrained. Ed Sullivan tried to censor Mick Jagger and Jim Morrison …

Songs about drug use, social issues, or against the war become common. One odd case of attempted containment – The Monkees.  R&R sitcom?

Protests matured

Initial war protests led by students on university campuses. Often dismissed. Vietnam Veterans Against the War were powerful.  No one can accuse them of cowardice or appeasement. Over time anti-war arguments became multi-faceted

The Tet Offensive

(began January 31, 1968) proved to be the key battle of the war. VC attacked thirty cities across the South.  The most famous incident saw them seize part of the US embassy in Saigon. Fighting for Hue, where the VC murdered many suspected government supporters, was perhaps the most vicious. VC absolutely flattened in the aftermath.  Routed across the South. Cost the communists appalling casualties, weakened for months to come

By their own admission, it was a tactical mistake

tactical vic. politically a disaster.

“No single event did more to undermine support in the United States for the war

Westmoreland

claimed Tet was a decisive victory! –Then he showed utter lack of political savvy by calling for thousands of new troops right after saying this was a big victory

–Walter Cronkite:  “What the hell is going on?  I thought we were winning the war”

1968

year sucked. like a lot. In the weeks that followed Tet, many pillars of American public opinion began to voice opposition to the war. Challengers to Johnson emerged within the Democratic Party. Eugene McCarthy came close in New Hampshire.  Bobby Kennedy enters. Johnson went on TV March 31 and announced a twofold retreat. “I shall not seek .. Another term as your president”  And halts the bombing. Kennedy wins one primary after another. On June 6, after winning California, Kennedy was assassinated by a young Palestinian (on the anniversary of the Six-Day War)–His death perhaps marks the death of Progressivism/Liberalism, too? Earlier, on April 4, Martin Luther King had been assassinated in Memphis.  His death ironically prompted some of the worst race riots ever seen. Had gone to Memphis to support striking sanitation workers.. He too had turned against the Vietnam War, and LBJ. Shot on his hotel balcony.  Today the National Civil Rights Museum.

Bobby Kennedy

came into running for pres after tet. Going against Johnson. wins bunch of primaries, before being assasinated.