The document discusses several key questions around the Vietnam War: 1) Vietnam was divided along the 17th parallel in 1955 with North Vietnam led by Ho Chi Minh becoming communist and South Vietnam led by Ngo Dinh Diem becoming a US-backed republic. 2) The US became involved to stop the spread of communism in Southeast Asia and initially sent 16,000 troops by 1963, but involvement escalated greatly over the following years. 3) Many Americans, especially younger people and those in the counterculture movement, opposed the war due to the mounting death toll, civil rights issues, and social changes happening in the US.

2. Why was Vietnam divided? Why did the United States become involved in the conflict? Why did many Americans oppose the war? How did the youth and counterculture affect government policy? How did the Johnson and Nixon Administrations differ in their war goals? How did this loss change American Cold War policies

3. Nov 1, 1955-Apr 30, 1975 Neighbor of Red China Ho Chi Minh the leader of N Vietnam Ngo Dinh Diem was the leader of S Vietnam 17th parallel

4. North Vietnam=Communist South Vietnam=Republic (backed by the U.S.) Vietcong=rebels in South Vietnam that supported communism

5. Stop the spread of communism 16,000 troops in Vietnam by 1963 Diem loses his people’s support and he is assassinated in 1963 Secretary of defense believed in cutting cost by modernizing the armed forces

6. “ I am not going to lose Vietnam” “ We’re not sending over American boys to do what Asian boys should be doing” Gulf of Tonkin had a major impact on the U.S. involvement in Vietnam By 1965, the Vietcong, had a strong hold in South Vietnam

7. Ho Chi Minh trail allowed supplies to get through Vietnam easily 1965 saw tremendous growth of U.S. presence in Vietnam Jungle warfare with the Vietcong and bombing of North Vietnam Tet offensive by the Vietcong

8. Who is the enemy? U.S. soldiers walked through jungles with 10ft. Tall elephant grass across flooded rice paddies Fought leaches, fever, jungle rot, and snakes U.S. harmed civilians with bombs, agent orange, and napalm

11. Village that supposedly housed 250 Vietcong Instead had women and children U.S. solders given the order to kill them all 175 killed and more than 400 wounded Helicopter crew stopped them

12. Many student protests Pentagon lied about Vietnam Resistance to war Draft Couldn’t afford college, you most likely would be drafted People used excuses such as physical disabilities to avoid being drafted Some left the country

13. Racial war? Others supported the war Many bumper stickers

14. Counterculture Sex, drugs, rock and roll, hippies, and dress There is a sexual revolution as many couples begin to live together outside of marriage Illegal drugs become more prominent Rock and roll events get out of control

15. Vietnamization-removing American troops and replacing them with Vietnamese soldiers Severely decreased the military between 1968-1972 Kent St. Sign an agreement in Paris in January 1973 withdrawing all forces within 60 days

16. Fighting continues after the treaty April 30, 1975, Saigon is surrounded and South Vietnam surrenders and Vietnam is reunited

17. 58,000 Americans died 150 billion dollars spent in direct expenses Cambodia and Laos also fall to communism No love for the troops