Lecture 13: The Sixties Part 3

Chapter 14: Vietnam's Colonial History

• France colonized Vietnam, naming it French Indochina before WWII.

• Japan conquered Vietnam during WWII, claiming to create a unified Asia, but intended it for Japan's benefit.

Chapter 15: Vietnam's Resistance Movement

• Ho Chi Minh emerged as a leader of Vietnamese resistance, allied with the U.S. against Japanese forces.

• After WWII, instead of supporting Vietnam’s independence, the U.S. restored French control, disappointing Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnamese people.

Chapter 16: U.S. Involvement Post-War

• The U.S. feared a communist Vietnam and began sending troops to support French forces, escalating tensions.

• The Geneva Accords in 1954 divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel, creating North (communist under Ho Chi Minh) and South Vietnam (pro-American under Ngo Dinh Diem).

Chapter 17: Growing Tensions and War

• The plan for a reunification vote was postponed, leading to ongoing conflict between the North and South.

• Ngo Dinh Diem was not widely accepted in South Vietnam, leading to increased violence.

Chapter 18: Tonkin Gulf Resolution

• Passed in 1964, it expanded U.S. military involvement, turning a policing mission into a war effort under President Johnson.

• Under this resolution, a military draft was instituted, leading to young men being drafted unless exempt for education.

Chapter 19: Public Perception and Media Reporting

• Initially labeled a winnable war, public opinion shifted as the North Vietnamese countered effectively (e.g., Tet Offensive).

• The My Lai Massacre, reported widely, raised moral questions about the U.S. presence in Vietnam.

Chapter 20: Anti-War Movement

• As casualties mounted, public protests against the war grew, especially among students, questioning the war's rationale and objectives.

• By the late 1960s, the war became increasingly unpopular, tarnishing President Johnson's reputation.

Chapter 21: Political Climate

• Johnson's announcement not to seek re-election in 1968 marked a significant political shift due to declining popularity.

• The assassinations of prominent figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy highlighted the turbulent era of social unrest and loss of hope.

Summary

The narrative sets the stage for the events of the 1970s, suggesting a need for reflection and potential change moving forward.