1950s to 60s

AMERICA inAMERICA in
the ’50sthe ’50s

Provided college for returningProvided college for returning
World War II veteransWorld War II veterans
(commonly referred to as GIs)(commonly referred to as GIs)
THE G.I. BILLTHE G.I. BILL
Millions of GIs bought homes,Millions of GIs bought homes,
attended college, startedattended college, started
business venture, or found jobsbusiness venture, or found jobs
Provided one year ofProvided one year of
unemployment compensationunemployment compensation

THE G.I. BILLTHE G.I. BILL VA Mortgages paidVA Mortgages paid
for nearly 5 millionfor nearly 5 million
new homes, bynew homes, by
making homesmaking homes
affordable with lowaffordable with low
interest rates and 30interest rates and 30
year loans.year loans.
Between 1945 and 1954, theBetween 1945 and 1954, the
U.S. added 13 million newU.S. added 13 million new
homes to its housing stockhomes to its housing stock
President Franklin Roosevelt signs the GI Bill in 1944President Franklin Roosevelt signs the GI Bill in 1944

Truman and Civil RightsTruman and Civil Rights
One of the major acts HarryOne of the major acts Harry
Truman made as presidentTruman made as president
was in when 1948 Trumanwas in when 1948 Truman
made an executive ordermade an executive order
to end segregation into end segregation in
the armed forcesthe armed forces
Truman also askedTruman also asked
Congress to pass a civilCongress to pass a civil
rights bill that would makerights bill that would make
lynching a federal crimelynching a federal crime

ELECTION of 1948ELECTION of 1948
Thomas DeweyHarry S Truman Strom Thurmond
Many people didn’t thinkMany people didn’t think
he would be re-electedhe would be re-elected
Truman angered manyTruman angered many
Southern Democrats bySouthern Democrats by
supporting segregationsupporting segregation
People were so sure thatPeople were so sure that
Truman would lose that oneTruman would lose that one
headline even incorrectly saidheadline even incorrectly said
that Dewey had wonthat Dewey had won
Historians view the Election ofHistorians view the Election of
1948 as the greatest election1948 as the greatest election
upset in American historyupset in American history

 Southern Democrats leave national party inSouthern Democrats leave national party in
response to Truman's support for Civil Rightsresponse to Truman's support for Civil Rights
 Strom Thurmond – South Carolina Senator,Strom Thurmond – South Carolina Senator,
runs for president as a Dixicratruns for president as a Dixicrat
 Dixicrats were Southern Democrats who backedDixicrats were Southern Democrats who backed
racial segregation and limiting the voting rightsracial segregation and limiting the voting rights
of African Americans. The party was also knownof African Americans. The party was also known
as the States Rights Party.as the States Rights Party.
 Thomas Dewey, New York’s Governor, runs forThomas Dewey, New York’s Governor, runs for
the Republicansthe Republicans
 Truman appeared to lose – but appeals directly toTruman appeared to lose – but appeals directly to
the people, citing the “Do-nothing Republicanthe people, citing the “Do-nothing Republican
Congress” and wins the ElectionCongress” and wins the Election
ELECTIONELECTION ofof 19481948

Truman’s “Fair Deal”Truman’s “Fair Deal”
Truman said that allTruman said that all
Americans had theAmericans had the
right to expect a “fairright to expect a “fair
deal” from thedeal” from the
governmentgovernment
What did the Fair Deal do?
It increased the minimum wageIt increased the minimum wage
Expansion of Social Security benefitsExpansion of Social Security benefits
National Housing Act was passed to provide funding toNational Housing Act was passed to provide funding to
build low-income housingbuild low-income housing
“The buck stops here.”
-- Harry TrumanHarry Truman

The Taft-Hartley ActThe Taft-Hartley Act
The federal law thatThe federal law that
greatly restricting thegreatly restricting the
activities and poweractivities and power
of labor unionsof labor unions
 Closed shops illegal (Businesses couldClosed shops illegal (Businesses could
hire non-union workers)hire non-union workers)
 Union shop only after a vote of aUnion shop only after a vote of a
majority of the employees.majority of the employees.
 No more jurisdictional strikes andNo more jurisdictional strikes and
secondary boycotts.secondary boycotts.
 Employers have right to be exemptedEmployers have right to be exempted
from bargaining with unionsfrom bargaining with unions

The Taft-The Taft-
Hartley ActHartley Act
Labor unionsLabor unions hatedhated
the Taft-Hartley Actthe Taft-Hartley Act

Interstate Highways BuiltInterstate Highways Built
The Federal HighwayThe Federal Highway
Act was passed in 1956Act was passed in 1956
This was the largestThis was the largest
public works program inpublic works program in
American history.American history.
Law called for the buildingLaw called for the building
of 40,000 miles of interstateof 40,000 miles of interstate
Interstate roads in DFW areInterstate roads in DFW are
I-20, I-30, I-35 and I-45I-20, I-30, I-35 and I-45

Suburbia in AmericaSuburbia in America
During the ’50s, manyDuring the ’50s, many
people began to movepeople began to move
into the suburbs.into the suburbs.
Suburbs areSuburbs are
places outsideplaces outside
the city wherethe city where
many white-collarmany white-collar
workers liveworkers live
The New YorkThe New York
suburb ofsuburb of
Levittown was theLevittown was the

Suburbs = The American DreamSuburbs = The American Dream
 AffordableAffordable
single-familysingle-family
housinghousing
 Good schoolsGood schools
 FriendlyFriendly
neighbors likeneighbors like
themselvesthemselves
13 million13 million
homeshomes
built inbuilt in
the 1950sthe 1950s
– 85%– 85%
werewere
New highways,
affordable
automobiles,
low gasoline
prices
 A safe, healthyA safe, healthy
environmentenvironment
for childrenfor children

TheThe BabyBaby BoomBoom
From 1945 -61 more thanFrom 1945 -61 more than
65 million children were65 million children were
bornborn
Contributing factors:Contributing factors:
The end of wars led to moreThe end of wars led to more
young couples getting marriedyoung couples getting married
G.I. Bill encouraged growth ofG.I. Bill encouraged growth of
families by offering generousfamilies by offering generous
benefits for home purchasesbenefits for home purchases
This period became knownThis period became known
as the Baby Boomas the Baby Boom
The American birthrateThe American birthrate
exploded after World Warexploded after World War
II.II.
Pop culture glorified pregnancy,Pop culture glorified pregnancy,
parenthood and large familiesparenthood and large families

Technological BreakthroughsTechnological Breakthroughs

Jonas Salk and polio vaccineJonas Salk and polio vaccine
Medical advances of the 1950s:Medical advances of the 1950s:
•antibiotics to fightantibiotics to fight
infectionsinfections
•new drugs to fightnew drugs to fight
cancer, diabetes andcancer, diabetes and
heart diseaseheart disease
• polio vaccinepolio vaccine
developeddevelopedJonas SalkJonas Salk
developed thedeveloped the
vaccine thatvaccine that
prevented polio.prevented polio.
Not long after, theNot long after, the
threat of poliothreat of polio

Birth of televisionBirth of television
Shows likeShows like II
Love LucyLove Lucy
andand TheThe
HoneymooneHoneymoone
rsrs were thewere the
mostmost
popular TVpopular TV
shows of theshows of the
’50s’50s
By 1957, there were aboutBy 1957, there were about
40 million television sets in40 million television sets in
use and TV became anuse and TV became an
important source ofimportant source of
informationinformation

Pop Culture of the 1950sPop Culture of the 1950s
Father KnowsFather Knows
BestBest
1954-19581954-1958
The Ozzie andThe Ozzie and
Harriet ShowHarriet Show
1952-19661952-1966
Leave it toLeave it to
BeaverBeaver
1957-19631957-1963

HollywoodHollywood: apex of the biblical epics.: apex of the biblical epics.
It’s un-American to be un-religiousIt’s un-American to be un-religious!!
---- The Christian CenturyThe Christian Century, 1954, 1954
The Robe The Ten CommandmentsThe Robe The Ten Commandments Ben HurBen Hur
1953 19561953 1956 19591959

First McDonald’sFirst McDonald’s
(1955)(1955)
America became a moreAmerica became a more
homogeneous nation because ofhomogeneous nation because of
the automobilethe automobile..
Drive-In MoviesDrive-In Movies
Holiday InnHoliday Inn
The Automobile CultureThe Automobile Culture

Birth of Rock ’n Roll
In the 1950s, many teenagersIn the 1950s, many teenagers
rebelled against the middle-rebelled against the middle-
class suburban values,class suburban values,
particularly conformity andparticularly conformity and
wanted to be unique.wanted to be unique. It was during this period that manyIt was during this period that many
youths turned to new andyouths turned to new and
unconventional styles of musicunconventional styles of music
 Soon white artists began makingSoon white artists began making
music that was based on Africanmusic that was based on African
American rhythm and bluesAmerican rhythm and blues
 This form of music became knownThis form of music became known
as rock ‘n’ roll and it became wildlyas rock ‘n’ roll and it became wildly
popular with the nation’s teenagerspopular with the nation’s teenagers

Elvis PresleyElvis Presley
The King of Rock ’n RollThe King of Rock ’n Roll
Presley’s extraordinaryPresley’s extraordinary
popularity establishedpopularity established
rock ’n’ roll as anrock ’n’ roll as an
unprecedented mass-unprecedented mass-
market phenomenonmarket phenomenonHis reputation as aHis reputation as a
performer endured up toperformer endured up to
his death in 1977 at thehis death in 1977 at the
age of 42.age of 42.
Graceland, hisGraceland, his
home in Memphis,home in Memphis,
is now a publicis now a public
museum visitedmuseum visited
by upwards ofby upwards of
600,000 people600,000 people

The Generation GapThe Generation Gap
Many parents viewed rock ’n’ roll asMany parents viewed rock ’n’ roll as
loud and dangerous.loud and dangerous.
The music was banned in someThe music was banned in some
communities.communities.
The music united teens in their ownThe music united teens in their own
world and helped to create whatworld and helped to create what
became known as the generation gap.became known as the generation gap.
The generation gap was the culturalThe generation gap was the cultural
separation between children and theirseparation between children and their
parents.parents.

The Beat GenerationThe Beat Generation
The majorThe major
works of Beatworks of Beat
writing arewriting are
AllenAllen
Ginsberg'sGinsberg's
HowlHowl, William, William
S. Burroughs'sS. Burroughs's
Naked LunchNaked Lunch
and Jackand Jack
Kerouac'sKerouac's OnOn
Members of the Beat GenerationMembers of the Beat Generation
were referred to as “beatniks” andwere referred to as “beatniks” and
set the stage for the rise of theset the stage for the rise of the
counter-culture and hippies duringcounter-culture and hippies during
The Beat Generation was theThe Beat Generation was the
cultural movement of the 1950scultural movement of the 1950s
when young people – often writerswhen young people – often writers
– ditched society’s normal– ditched society’s normal
standards for new ways ofstandards for new ways of
thinkingthinking

Juvenile DelinquencyJuvenile Delinquency
Another problem facing theAnother problem facing the
nation was juvenile delinquency,nation was juvenile delinquency,
which was antisocial or criminalwhich was antisocial or criminal
behavior by teenagersbehavior by teenagers
Juvenile crime rose 45% between 1948Juvenile crime rose 45% between 1948
and 1953. Car thefts by juvenilesand 1953. Car thefts by juveniles
increased and more teenagers joinedincreased and more teenagers joined
street gangsstreet gangsMany attributed this rise in teenageMany attributed this rise in teenage
rebellion to movies such as “Rebelrebellion to movies such as “Rebel
Without a Cause” and books like J.D.Without a Cause” and books like J.D.
Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye”Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye”

The Lone RangerThe Lone Ranger
TopTop
TVTV
ShowsShows
The HoneymoonersThe Honeymooners Father Knows BestFather Knows Best

Top inTop in
MovieMovie
ss

THE TURBULENT ’60sTHE TURBULENT ’60s

The Election of 1960The Election of 1960
TV played a vitalTV played a vital
part in thepart in the
electionelection
Democrats nominatedDemocrats nominated
John F. Kennedy whileJohn F. Kennedy while
the Republicansthe Republicans
nominated vice-nominated vice-
president Richard M.president Richard M.
NixonNixon
For the first time,For the first time,
the nation got tothe nation got to
see candidates assee candidates as
they campaignedthey campaigned

The Election of 1960The Election of 1960

Kennedy beats NixonKennedy beats Nixon
““AskAsk notnot what your country can do for you,what your country can do for you,
ask what you can do for your country.”ask what you can do for your country.”
-- John F. Kennedy
Inauguration Speech, 1961
In one of the closest presidentialIn one of the closest presidential
elections in U.S. history,elections in U.S. history,
Kennedy defeated NixonKennedy defeated Nixon
““Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike,Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike,
thatthat the torch has been passed to a new generationthe torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans.”of Americans.”
-- John F. Kennedy, Inauguration Speech, 1961
In his inauguration speech, Kennedy inspired people with hisIn his inauguration speech, Kennedy inspired people with his
optimism, his youthfulness and his ability to handle the media.optimism, his youthfulness and his ability to handle the media.

CamelotCamelot
JFK was a very popular presidentJFK was a very popular president
with the American people.with the American people.
His youthful energy,His youthful energy,
looks, glamorous wifelooks, glamorous wife
Jacqueline, and theirJacqueline, and their
young children led toyoung children led to
constant coverage by theconstant coverage by the
media.media.
People often refer to Kennedy’sPeople often refer to Kennedy’s
presidency as “Camelot” because of thepresidency as “Camelot” because of the
potential and promise for the future,potential and promise for the future,
and the period was symbolic of hopeand the period was symbolic of hope

The Kennedy White HouseThe Kennedy White House
JFK’s closestJFK’s closest
confidant was hisconfidant was his
brother Bobbybrother Bobby
RFK was appointedRFK was appointed
to the importantto the important
position of Attorneyposition of Attorney

The New FrontierThe New Frontier
JFK’sJFK’s
domesticdomestic
programsprograms
becamebecame
known as theknown as the
NewNew
Frontier.Frontier. Main goals of the NewMain goals of the New
Frontier:Frontier:
 Increase federal aid toIncrease federal aid to
educationeducation
 Provide health insurance toProvide health insurance to
the elderlythe elderly
 Create a Department of UrbanCreate a Department of Urban

One of Kennedy’s first presidential actsOne of Kennedy’s first presidential acts
was creating the Peace Corpswas creating the Peace Corps
The main purpose of the PeaceThe main purpose of the Peace
Corps was to fight poverty isCorps was to fight poverty is
less developed countries.less developed countries.
Americans volunteered to helpAmericans volunteered to help
underdeveloped nations in areasunderdeveloped nations in areas
such as education, farming,such as education, farming,
health care and constructionhealth care and construction
Peace CorpsPeace Corps

The Warren CourtThe Warren Court
Dwight D. Eisenhower nominatedDwight D. Eisenhower nominated
Earl Warren to be Chief Justice ofEarl Warren to be Chief Justice of
the United States Supreme Courthe United States Supreme Courtt
Many thought Warren would be aMany thought Warren would be a
conservative, but he was notconservative, but he was not
The Warren Court was an active oneThe Warren Court was an active one
that made numerous key rulingsthat made numerous key rulings

Key Supreme Court rulingsKey Supreme Court rulings
Reynolds v. Sims:Reynolds v. Sims: VotingVoting
districts in many statesdistricts in many states
were unequal. The casewere unequal. The case
ruled that voting districtsruled that voting districts
had to be equal in size.had to be equal in size.
Established the principleEstablished the principle
of “one man, one vote.”of “one man, one vote.”
Gideon v.Gideon v.
Wainwright:Wainwright:
Defendant in aDefendant in a
state court hadstate court had
the right to athe right to a
lawyer,lawyer,
regardless of hisregardless of his
ability to payability to pay
Engel v. Vitale:Engel v. Vitale: CourtCourt
ruled that government-ruled that government-
funded schools couldfunded schools could
not require prayer innot require prayer in
public schoolspublic schools

Miranda v. ArizonaMiranda v. Arizona
Ernesto Miranda wasErnesto Miranda was
arrested for raping an 18arrested for raping an 18
year old. He lateryear old. He later
confessed to robbery andconfessed to robbery and
attempted rape underattempted rape under
interrogation by policeinterrogation by police
Miranda hadMiranda had
confessedconfessed
withoutwithout
knowing thatknowing that
he had thehe had the
right to remainright to remain
silent (5silent (5thth
Amendment)Amendment)
Supreme Court ruledSupreme Court ruled
that his constitutionalthat his constitutional
rights were violatedrights were violated
by the police whoby the police who
interrogated himinterrogated him

Key events of JFK presidencyKey events of JFK presidency
•The New Frontier programThe New Frontier program
• Establishment of the Peace CorpsEstablishment of the Peace Corps
• Bay of Pigs invasionBay of Pigs invasion
• Cuban Missile CrisisCuban Missile Crisis
• Rulings of the Warren CourtRulings of the Warren Court
• Vision of putting a man on the moonVision of putting a man on the moon
• Assassination in DallasAssassination in Dallas

Assassination in DallasAssassination in Dallas
On Nov. 22, 1963,On Nov. 22, 1963,
Kennedy and his wifeKennedy and his wife
traveled to Dallas to maketraveled to Dallas to make
some political appearancessome political appearances
As the motorcade rodeAs the motorcade rode
through downtown Dallas,through downtown Dallas,
JFK was shot in the heaJFK was shot in the headd
Lee HarveyLee Harvey
Oswald was theOswald was the
man who wasman who was
accused ofaccused of
shooting Kennedyshooting Kennedy

Conspiracy TheoryConspiracy Theory
The WarrenThe Warren
CommissionCommission
investigatedinvestigated
hishis
assassinatioassassinatio
n, butn, but
concludedconcluded
Oswald shotOswald shot
KennedyKennedy
from thefrom the
Sixth FloorSixth Floor
of the Texasof the Texas
School BookSchool Book
DepositoryDepository
BuildingBuilding
Many peopleMany people
believe therebelieve there
was a secondwas a second
shooter on ashooter on a
grassy knoll ingrassy knoll in
front of thefront of the

LBJ becomes PresidentLBJ becomes President
Hours afterHours after
JFK’sJFK’s
assassination,assassination,
vice-presidentvice-president
Lyndon JohnsonLyndon Johnson
of Texas wasof Texas was
sworn in assworn in as
presidentpresidentBiggest issues facing LBJ asBiggest issues facing LBJ as
president:president:
The Civil Rights MovementThe Civil Rights Movement
The growing poverty in AmericaThe growing poverty in America

The War on PovertyThe War on Poverty
“America needs to build a ‘Great Society.’ I am declaring a war on
poverty.”
-- Lyndon B. Johnson
University of Michigan, 1964
In his bookIn his book The Other AmericaThe Other America,,
Michael Harrington showedMichael Harrington showed
that many Americans lived inthat many Americans lived in
poverty in the United States.poverty in the United States.
The book influenced the thinkingThe book influenced the thinking
of both John F. Kennedy and hisof both John F. Kennedy and his
successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, assuccessor, Lyndon B. Johnson, as
they both made the elimination ofthey both made the elimination of
poverty a major goal.poverty a major goal.

LBJ’s Great SocietyLBJ’s Great Society
Once Johnson wasOnce Johnson was
elected in 1964, heelected in 1964, he
began working onbegan working on
his plan forhis plan for
domestic programsdomestic programs
to help the Unitedto help the United
States. He calledStates. He called
his program thehis program the
Great Society.Great Society.
Although there were many, the keyAlthough there were many, the key
programs of the Great Society wereprograms of the Great Society were
Medicare, Medicaid, Head Start,Medicare, Medicaid, Head Start,
and HUD.and HUD.

In the 60s, thousands ofIn the 60s, thousands of
teenagers became partteenagers became part
of the “counterculture.”of the “counterculture.”
These “hippies” rebelledThese “hippies” rebelled
against the traditionalagainst the traditional
American culture.American culture.
Hippies believed inHippies believed in
a world free of wara world free of war
and hate and full ofand hate and full of
peace and lovepeace and love
The hippie lookThe hippie look
was long hair,was long hair,
tie-dyed shirts,tie-dyed shirts,
and use of drugsand use of drugs
like marijuana,like marijuana,
LSD and heroinLSD and heroin

Famous music groups of theFamous music groups of the
Hippie MovementHippie Movement
The BeatlesThe Beatles Jimi HendrixJimi Hendrix
Bob DylanBob Dylan
Jim Morrison and the DoorsJim Morrison and the Doors
Music playedMusic played
a large parta large part
of the Hippieof the Hippie
MovementMovement
Jefferson AirplaneJefferson Airplane

WWooooddssttoocckk
Music festival held in upstateMusic festival held in upstate
New York in 1969 that exemplifiedNew York in 1969 that exemplified
the counterculture of the 1960sthe counterculture of the 1960s
Thirty-two of the best-known musiciansThirty-two of the best-known musicians
of the day performed in front of nearlyof the day performed in front of nearly
half a million concert-goershalf a million concert-goers
Woodstock isWoodstock is
regarded as oneregarded as one
of the greatestof the greatest
moments in popmoments in pop
music historymusic history

MartinMartin
LutherLuther
King shotKing shot
in April ofin April of
19681968
Robert F.Robert F.
KennedyKennedy
shot inshot in
June ofJune of
19681968
TetTet
OffensiveOffensive
showed U.S.showed U.S.
was notwas not
winning thewinning the
Vietnam WarVietnam War
Riots occurredRiots occurred
at theat the
DemocraticDemocratic
NationalNational
Convention inConvention in
August of 1968August of 1968

Coming Up:
TThhee
VViieettnnaamm
WWaarr

Key figures in the Vietnam WarKey figures in the Vietnam War
Ho Chi MinhHo Chi Minh William WestmorelandWilliam Westmoreland Lyndon B. JohnsonLyndon B. Johnson
American commander in South Vietnam who told people in the media that the United States was close to winning the war, even though it wasn’t
American commanderAmerican commander
in Vietnam who toldin Vietnam who told
American people thatAmerican people that
we were close towe were close to
winning the war, evenwinning the war, even
though we weren’tthough we weren’t
President of NorthPresident of North
Vietnam who ledVietnam who led
the efforts to defeatthe efforts to defeat
South Vietnam,South Vietnam,
hero to mosthero to most
VietnameseVietnamese
President duringPresident during
much of Vietnammuch of Vietnam
War; greatlyWar; greatly
escalated the U.S.escalated the U.S.
soldier involvementsoldier involvement
in the conflictin the conflict

Key figures in the Vietnam WarKey figures in the Vietnam War
Robert McNamaraRobert McNamara Richard NixonRichard Nixon Ngo Dinh DiemNgo Dinh Diem
U.S. Secretary ofU.S. Secretary of
Defense during theDefense during the
Vietnam War whoVietnam War who
made the Americanmade the American
public feel like wepublic feel like we
were winning the warwere winning the war
President of SouthPresident of South
Vietnam who whoseVietnam who whose
corruption andcorruption and
harsh standards ledharsh standards led
numerous people tonumerous people to
turn to the Vietcongturn to the Vietcong
President of thePresident of the
United StatesUnited States
during the latterduring the latter
part of thepart of the
Vietnam WarVietnam War

Vietnam in the ’50sVietnam in the ’50s
Southeast Asia (aka: French Indochina)Southeast Asia (aka: French Indochina)
Following World War II, theFollowing World War II, the
French controlled southeastFrench controlled southeast
Asia (known as Indochina)Asia (known as Indochina)
Ho Chi Minh led a revoltHo Chi Minh led a revolt
against the French to gainagainst the French to gain
independence for Vietnamindependence for Vietnam
By 1954, the French fell to theBy 1954, the French fell to the
Vietminh and they withdrewVietminh and they withdrew
from Indochina, leavingfrom Indochina, leaving
Vietnam a divided countryVietnam a divided country

Domino TheoryDomino Theory
The Domino Theory was the belief that ifThe Domino Theory was the belief that if
one country fell to communism, the otherone country fell to communism, the other
Southeast Asian nations would eventuallySoutheast Asian nations would eventually
fall to communism as wellfall to communism as well

This map from an American
magazine published 14th
November 1950 shows how
much they feared the
spread of Communism in
the Far East.

South Vietnam problemsSouth Vietnam problems
A Buddhist monk commits suicide in protest to theA Buddhist monk commits suicide in protest to the
harsh policies of the S. Vietnamese governmentharsh policies of the S. Vietnamese government
The people of South Vietnam hatedThe people of South Vietnam hated
South Vietnamese president Ngo DinhSouth Vietnamese president Ngo Dinh
Diem. He was corrupt and did notDiem. He was corrupt and did not
govern in the best interest of the citizens.govern in the best interest of the citizens.
Diem was disliked becauseDiem was disliked because
he discriminated against thehe discriminated against the
Buddhist populationBuddhist population
Some Buddhist monksSome Buddhist monks
protested Diem’s rule byprotested Diem’s rule by
setting themselves on firesetting themselves on fire

Gulf of Tonkin IncidentGulf of Tonkin Incident
USS Maddox
In August of 1964, Pres. JohnsonIn August of 1964, Pres. Johnson
announced that North Vietnamannounced that North Vietnam
ships had fired on two Americanships had fired on two American
destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkindestroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin
Johnson insisted that theJohnson insisted that the
North Vietnamese attackNorth Vietnamese attack
was unprovoked andwas unprovoked and
responded by orderingresponded by ordering
American airplanes to attackAmerican airplanes to attack
North VietnamNorth Vietnam

Gulf of Tonkin ResolutionGulf of Tonkin Resolution
When, in August ofWhen, in August of
1964, Congress passed1964, Congress passed
the Gulf of Tonkinthe Gulf of Tonkin
Resolution, CongressResolution, Congress
handed over warhanded over war
powers to the presidentpowers to the president
After accusing N.After accusing N.
Vietnam of attacking theVietnam of attacking the
U.S., Johnson askedU.S., Johnson asked
Congress to give him theCongress to give him the
authorization to use forceauthorization to use force
to defend American forcesto defend American forces
The President had the power toThe President had the power to
send U.S. troops into battlesend U.S. troops into battle
without a declaration of warwithout a declaration of war

Operation Rolling ThunderOperation Rolling Thunder
The U.S. bombing campaignThe U.S. bombing campaign
conducted against the Northconducted against the North
Vietnam from 1965 until 1968Vietnam from 1965 until 1968
The three-year assault wasThe three-year assault was
intended to get Northintended to get North
Vietnam to stop supportingVietnam to stop supporting
South Vietnamese guerrillasSouth Vietnamese guerrillas
OperationOperation
became mostbecame most
intenseintense
air/ground battleair/ground battle
waged duringwaged during
the Cold Warthe Cold War

VietcongVietcong
Guerrilla army based inGuerrilla army based in
South Vietnam (alsoSouth Vietnam (also
known as the NLF) thatknown as the NLF) that
fought the U.S. and Southfought the U.S. and South
Vietnamese governmentsVietnamese governments
during the Vietnam Warduring the Vietnam War
The Vietcong were SouthThe Vietcong were South
Vietnamese communistsVietnamese communists
who fought for Vietnamesewho fought for Vietnamese
unification on the side of theunification on the side of the
North VietnameseNorth Vietnamese

Vietcong AdvantagesVietcong Advantages
 They were familiar withThey were familiar with
the landscape (rivers,the landscape (rivers,
lakes, etc.)lakes, etc.)
 They could find a safeThey could find a safe
haven in Cambodia,haven in Cambodia,
Laos or South VietnamLaos or South Vietnam
 They could often countThey could often count
on the support of theon the support of the
local populationlocal population

Ho Chi Minh TrailHo Chi Minh Trail
Red line indicates Ho Chi MinhRed line indicates Ho Chi Minh
Trail through Laos and CambodiaTrail through Laos and Cambodia
A look at the Ho Chi Minh Trail from road level, withA look at the Ho Chi Minh Trail from road level, with
camouflaged convoy truck approaching.camouflaged convoy truck approaching.
Path that ran from North Vietnam to
South Vietnam through Laos and
Cambodia system providing manpower
and weapons to the Vietcong

Tet OffensiveTet Offensive
January 30 – June 8, 1968January 30 – June 8, 1968
In early 1968,In early 1968,
the Vietcongthe Vietcong
and the Northand the North
launched alaunched a
surprise attacksurprise attack
on the Southon the South
during the Tet,during the Tet,
which is thewhich is the
New YearNew Year A Vietcong agent is shot during the Tet OffensiveA Vietcong agent is shot during the Tet Offensive

The Tet Offensive in 1968 was a surprise attackThe Tet Offensive in 1968 was a surprise attack
by the Vietcong throughout South Vietnamby the Vietcong throughout South Vietnam
While the Vietcong sufferedWhile the Vietcong suffered
heavy losses, it was a majorheavy losses, it was a major
political victory for the Vietcongpolitical victory for the Vietcong
Tet was the turning point inTet was the turning point in
the war and showed thatthe war and showed that
the U.S. was nowhere closethe U.S. was nowhere close
to winning the warto winning the war

Credibility GapCredibility Gap
William WestmorelandWilliam WestmorelandRobert McNamaraRobert McNamara
Opposition to theOpposition to the
Vietnam War grewVietnam War grew
in the United Statesin the United States
in the late 1960sin the late 1960s
Many AmericansMany Americans
were suspicious ofwere suspicious of
the government’sthe government’s
truthfulness abouttruthfulness about
the warthe war
Many Americans believed aMany Americans believed a credibility gapcredibility gap hadhad
developed (people lost trust in what thedeveloped (people lost trust in what the
government was telling them)government was telling them)

My Lai MassacreMy Lai MassacreMarch 16March 16thth
, 1968, 1968
Unidentified Vietnamese man and child killed by USUnidentified Vietnamese man and child killed by US
soldierssoldiers
A village set afire during the My Lai MassacreA village set afire during the My Lai Massacre
American platoon had massacredAmerican platoon had massacred
more than 200 South Vietnamesemore than 200 South Vietnamese
civilians who they thought werecivilians who they thought were
members of the Vietcong in amembers of the Vietcong in a
village called My Laivillage called My Lai
Most of the victims were oldMost of the victims were old
men, women and childrenmen, women and children
My Lai massacre increasedMy Lai massacre increased
feelings among manyfeelings among many
Americans that the war wasAmericans that the war was
brutal and senselessbrutal and senseless

Election of 1968Election of 1968
"I shall not seek, and I will not accept the nomination of my party
for another term as your President." March 31, 1968
Johnson refuses toJohnson refuses to
run for re-electionrun for re-election
After Johnson refused to run forAfter Johnson refused to run for
re-election and Bobby Kennedyre-election and Bobby Kennedy
was assassinated, the Democratswas assassinated, the Democrats
ended up choosing LBJ’s vice-ended up choosing LBJ’s vice-
president, Hubert Humphrey, aspresident, Hubert Humphrey, as
their presidential candidatetheir presidential candidate
Republicans nominate formerRepublicans nominate former
vice-president Richard Nixon,vice-president Richard Nixon,
who lost to JFK in 1960who lost to JFK in 1960

Nixon becomes president!Nixon becomes president!

Draft Lottery BeginsDraft Lottery Begins
December 1st
, 1969
who were against thewho were against the
war believed thewar believed the
United States had anUnited States had an
unfair draft systemunfair draft system
Minorities made upMinorities made up
a large percentagea large percentage
of soldiers inof soldiers in
Vietnam. As the warVietnam. As the war
continued, morecontinued, more
people were draftedpeople were drafted

Some folks are born made to wave the flag,
ooh, they're red, white and blue.
And when the band plays "Hail To The Chief",
oh, they point the cannon at you, Lord,
It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no senator's son,
I ain't no fortunate one, no,
Some folks are born silver spoon in hand,
Lord, don't they help themselves? oh.
But when the taxman come to the door,
Lord, the house look a like a rummage sale, yes,
Fortunate Son (CCR)Fortunate Son (CCR)

I ain't no millionaire's son, no, no.
I ain't no fortunate one, no.
Yeh, some folks inherit star spangled eyes,
ooh, they send you down to war, Lord,
And when you ask them, how much should we give,
oh, they only answer, more, more, more, yoh,
I ain't no military son, SON, NO
I ain't no fortunate one, NO NO
I ain't no fortunate one, no no no,
I ain't no fortunate son, son son son

Kent State MassacreKent State Massacre
May 4, 1970May 4, 1970
In April of 1970,In April of 1970,
President NixonPresident Nixon
announced thatannounced that
American troops hadAmerican troops had
invaded Cambodiainvaded Cambodia
Anti-war protestorsAnti-war protestors
saw this as ansaw this as an
escalation of the war,escalation of the war,
sparking violentsparking violent
protests on collegeprotests on college
campusescampuses
At Kent State University in Ohio, protestors became violent. TheAt Kent State University in Ohio, protestors became violent. The
Ohio National Guard was called in and fired upon the studentOhio National Guard was called in and fired upon the student
demonstrators, killing four studentsdemonstrators, killing four students

Tin soldiers and Nixon's comin'.
We're finally on our own.
This summer I hear the drummin'.
Four dead in Ohio.
Ohio (Neil Young)Ohio (Neil Young)
Gotta get down to it.
Soldiers are gunning us down.
Should have been done long ago.
What if you knew her and
Found her dead on the ground?
How can you run when you know?

Gotta get down to it.
Soldiers are cutting us down.
Should have been done long ago.
What if you knew her and
Found her dead on the ground?
How can you run when you know?
Tin soldiers and Nixon's comin'.
We're finally on our own.
This summer I hear the drummin'.

2626thth
Amendment ratifiedAmendment ratified
President Nixon signs the 26th AmendmentPresident Nixon signs the 26th Amendment
guaranteeing the right to vote for people over 18.guaranteeing the right to vote for people over 18.
Anger over the draft led toAnger over the draft led to
debates about the voting age.debates about the voting age.
Demonstrators help publicDemonstrators help public
rallies and marches.rallies and marches.
The average age of aThe average age of a
American soldier in VietnamAmerican soldier in Vietnam
was 19. Because you had towas 19. Because you had to
be 21 to vote, many peoplebe 21 to vote, many people
called for changes in votingcalled for changes in voting
laws, saying that if you’re oldlaws, saying that if you’re old
enough to fight in war, youenough to fight in war, you
should be old enough to vote.should be old enough to vote.
In 1971, the 26In 1971, the 26thth
Amendment was ratified,Amendment was ratified,
lowered the legal votinglowered the legal voting
age from 21 to 18age from 21 to 18

2626thth
During the VietnamDuring the Vietnam
War, the averageWar, the average
age of U.S. soldierage of U.S. soldier
was 19was 19Most soldiers wereMost soldiers were
old enough to fight,old enough to fight,
but not old enoughbut not old enough
to voteto vote
Anger over the draft ledAnger over the draft led
to numerous proteststo numerous protests
The 26The 26thth
AmendmentAmendment
lowered the voting agelowered the voting age

VietnamizationVietnamization
Vietnamization called for
a gradual withdrawal of
American troops as South
Vietnamese took more
control
Even though the U.S. had begun cuttingEven though the U.S. had begun cutting
back its involvement in the Vietnam War,back its involvement in the Vietnam War,
the American home front remained dividedthe American home front remained divided
and volatile as Nixon’s war policies stirredand volatile as Nixon’s war policies stirred

U.S. pulls out of VietnamU.S. pulls out of Vietnam
In January of 1973, North and South Vietnamese
reach a cease-fire agreement; by 1975, the United
States withdraws all of its people from Vietnam

War Powers ActWar Powers Act (1973)(1973)
Law was an attempt to setLaw was an attempt to set
limits on the power of thelimits on the power of the
president during wartimepresident during wartime
Required theRequired the
president to informpresident to inform
Congress of anyCongress of any
commitment ofcommitment of
troops with 48 hourstroops with 48 hours

The Pentagon Papers
In 1971, a former Defense DepartmentIn 1971, a former Defense Department
worker leaked what were known as theworker leaked what were known as the
Pentagon Papers to the New YorkPentagon Papers to the New York
TimesTimes
The documentsThe documents
showed how variousshowed how various
administrationsadministrations
deceived Congress,deceived Congress,
the media, and thethe media, and the
public about how thepublic about how the
war was goingwar was going
The governmentThe government
had not beenhad not been
honest with thehonest with the
American peopleAmerican people

Coming up next:
The 1970s:
Nixon
and
Watergate

After the Tet Offensive, many AmericansAfter the Tet Offensive, many Americans
began to question whether we should bebegan to question whether we should be
in Vietnam.in Vietnam.Many Americans felt the nation hadMany Americans felt the nation had
been deceived by the government,been deceived by the government,
creating what was known as…creating what was known as…

The Credibility GapThe Credibility Gap
William WestmorelandWilliam WestmorelandRobert McNamaraRobert McNamara
Opposition to theOpposition to the
Vietnam War grewVietnam War grew
in the United Statesin the United States
in the late 1960sin the late 1960s
were suspicious ofwere suspicious of
the government’sthe government’s
truthfulness abouttruthfulness about
the warthe war
Many Americans believed aMany Americans believed a credibility gapcredibility gap hadhad
developed (people lost trust in what thedeveloped (people lost trust in what the
government was telling them)government was telling them)

LBJ QuitsLBJ Quits
"I shall not seek, and I will not accept the nomination of my party
for another term as your President." March 31, 1968
Johnson refuses to run forJohnson refuses to run for
re-election in the Election ofre-election in the Election of
19681968

At the Democratic Convention inAt the Democratic Convention in
Chicago in 1968, Democrats chooseChicago in 1968, Democrats choose
vice-president Hubert Humphrey asvice-president Hubert Humphrey as
their candidatetheir candidate
But the biggest news was the riotingBut the biggest news was the rioting
outside the convention when policeoutside the convention when police
beat hundreds of protestorsbeat hundreds of protestors

Republicans nominate former vice-Republicans nominate former vice-
president Richard Nixon as theirpresident Richard Nixon as their
candidatecandidateNixon makes a campaign promise toNixon makes a campaign promise to
get the United States out of theget the United States out of the

Draft Lottery BeginsDraft Lottery Begins
December 1st
, 1969
Many Americans who were against the warMany Americans who were against the war
believed the United States had an unfairbelieved the United States had an unfair
draft systemdraft system

The DraftThe Draft
Minorities made up a largeMinorities made up a large
percentage of soldiers in Vietnam.percentage of soldiers in Vietnam.
As the war continued, more peopleAs the war continued, more people

The DraftThe Draft
Many men refused to go into the military.Many men refused to go into the military.
As a sign of protest, many burned theirAs a sign of protest, many burned their
draft cards or dodged the draft bydraft cards or dodged the draft by

Nixon Invades CambodiaNixon Invades Cambodia
In April of 1970, President NixonIn April of 1970, President Nixon
announced that American troops hadannounced that American troops had
invaded Cambodiainvaded Cambodia

Nixon Invades CambodiaNixon Invades Cambodia
Anti-war protestors saw this as anAnti-war protestors saw this as an
escalation of the war, sparking violentescalation of the war, sparking violent
protests on college campusesprotests on college campuses

Kent State MassacreKent State Massacre
May 4, 1970May 4, 1970
At Kent State University in Ohio, protestorsAt Kent State University in Ohio, protestors
became violent. The Ohio National Guardbecame violent. The Ohio National Guard
was called in and fired upon the studentwas called in and fired upon the student

OhioOhio
Neil YoungNeil Young
Crosby, Stills, Nash and YoungCrosby, Stills, Nash and Young

Tin soldiers and Nixon'sTin soldiers and Nixon's
comin'.comin'.

This summer I hear theThis summer I hear the
drummin'.drummin'.
Four dead in Ohio.Four dead in Ohio.

Gotta get down to it.Gotta get down to it.
Soldiers are gunning us down.Soldiers are gunning us down.
Should have been done longShould have been done long

What if you knew her andWhat if you knew her and
Found her dead on theFound her dead on the
ground?ground?

Na, na, na, na, na, na, na,Na, na, na, na, na, na, na,
na.na.
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na,Na, na, na, na, na, na, na,
na.na.

Gotta get down to it.Gotta get down to it.
Soldiers are gunning us down.Soldiers are gunning us down.
Should have been done longShould have been done long
ago.ago.

What if you knew her andWhat if you knew her and
Found her dead on theFound her dead on the
ground?ground?
How can you run when youHow can you run when you
know?know?

Four dead in Ohio.Four dead in Ohio.

Television impact on warTelevision impact on war
Television coverage from VietnamTelevision coverage from Vietnam
brought the war into many peoplesbrought the war into many peoples
living rooms and helped to turn manyliving rooms and helped to turn many

Television impact on warTelevision impact on war
When CBS anchorman WalterWhen CBS anchorman Walter
Cronkite said following the TetCronkite said following the Tet
Offensive that the war wasOffensive that the war was

Anti-War Protests EscalateAnti-War Protests Escalate
As the Vietnam conflict dragged onAs the Vietnam conflict dragged on
into the 1970s, more and moreinto the 1970s, more and more
Americans called for the U.S. to getAmericans called for the U.S. to get

For What It’s WorthFor What It’s Worth
Buffalo SpringfieldBuffalo Springfield

2626thth
During the VietnamDuring the Vietnam
War, the averageWar, the average
age of U.S. soldierage of U.S. soldier
was 19was 19Most soldiers wereMost soldiers were
old enough to fight,old enough to fight,
but not old enoughbut not old enough
to voteto vote
Many Americans calledMany Americans called
for changes to the votingfor changes to the voting
ageage
The 26The 26thth
AmendmentAmendment

U.S. pulls out of VietnamU.S. pulls out of Vietnam
In January of 1973, North and South
Vietnamese reach a cease-fire
agreement; by 1975, the United States
withdraws all of its people from

War Powers ActWar Powers Act (1973)(1973)
Law was an attempt toLaw was an attempt to
set limits on the powerset limits on the power
of the president duringof the president during
wartimewartime
Required theRequired the
president topresident to
inform Congressinform Congress
of anyof any
commitment ofcommitment of
troops with 48troops with 48

Coming up next:Coming up next:
Other groupsOther groups
fight for theirfight for their
rightsrights
Latinos, NativeLatinos, Native
Americans, womenAmericans, women

1950s to 60s

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