vietnam

North Vietnam (Communist): Backed by China & Soviet Union

South Vietnam (Non - Communist): Backed by U.S.

Road to War in Vietnam:

*N.V. & S.V. divided @ the 17h parallel - U.S. refused to allow elections to attempt to unify Vietnam by 1955 even though it was stated in the Geneva Accords b/c they feared the communists would win.

Domino theory - The belief that if a nearby nation becomes communist, surrounding nations will follow suit. Was used as a rationale for containment.

THE

SUN FINAL

Tonkin Gulf Resolution (1964) -

U.S. DESTROYER BEATS OFF ATTACK

Congressional approval that gave

BY 3 RED VIETNAM TORPEDO BOATS

President Lyndon B. Johnson the power

to escalate the war in Vietnam. He could send military troops to fight in Vietnam without declaration of war.

More troops deployed

Tet Offensive (Jan 1968) - Surprise attack launched by the North Vietnamese against the South Vietnamese and U.S. at a time when no fighting was to have taken place.

Vietnamization - The policy under Nixon to equip and train the South Vietnamese soldiers and reduce the U.S. presence in Vietnam.

Fall of Saigon - Capture of Saigon by the North Vietnamese in April 1975 effectively ending the Vietnam War.

Response to Vietnam at Home:

Hawks - Supporters of the Vietnam War who believed the U.S. should increase military force to win the war.

Doves - Critics of the Vietnam War who believed the U.S. should withdraw.

Credibility Gap - Difference between what GOVT said & what actually happened. Began during LBJ's presidency. Loss of trust if govt.

Response to Vietnam at Home:

Anti - war/draft demonstrations: College "Teach - ins" - Burn draft cards - protest on college campuses

* Kent State - 4 Killed - protest in reaction to Nixon bombing Cambodia & Laos.

必

Civil rights activists & union leaders united to protest Vietnam

Draft: provide more manpower in the war

Living Room War: Media reporting from the battlefield. People are watching the war happen on T.V. Causes public disillusionment over the war.

Pentagon Papers: Proved govt was misleading the people over their intentions in Vietnam - not to contain communism but to avoid defeat.

必

New York Times vs. United States - 1st Amendment (freedom of press) legal basis for Supreme Court.

People:

Roy Benavidez: rescued soldiers during a fire fight. Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

US Presidents: Eisenhower (advisors) - JFK (advisors) - LBJ (escalated war w/ military troops) - Nixon (ended war)

Ho Chi Minh: Leader of North Vietnam

Diem: Leader of South Vietnam Robert McNamara: Sec. of Defense

William Westmoreland: U.S. General in charge in Vietnam Impacts of the War:

26th Amendment: Voting age changed from 21 to 18.

ENOUGH

OLD

FICHT OLD ENOUGH TO VOTE

War Powers Act - A law passed in 1973 that limited the President's

right to send troops into battle without Congressional approval.

必

必

Why passed? Because of decisions made by executive branch during Korea & Vietnam

Example of checks & balances - Congress limits the president