The Vietnam War intensified tensions of the Cold War as the U.S. sought to contain the spread of communism through flexible response and increasing military spending. The U.S. became involved in Vietnam to aid South Vietnam after the 1954 Geneva Accords divided the country. As U.S. involvement grew, they used tactics like search and destroy missions and defoliants while the Viet Cong employed guerilla warfare. By 1969, the U.S. was divided as the public turned against the war, especially after events like the Tet Offensive and My Lai Massacre undermined the perception that the U.S. was winning. Protests on college campuses against the draft escalated tensions further.

1. The Vietnam War

2. Intensifies Cold War “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we will pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty. We will do all this and more.”

3. Flexible response Spent 6 billion on military in his first year in office Expanded Special Forces and gave them the green beret Added 5 combat divisions Construction of nuclear arsenal 1,000 ICBM 32 Polaris submarines Allowed the U.S. to “choose among a variety of options to fight communism”

4. Going to Vietnam Hills Densely forested mountains Canals, and rivers Jungles Tropical monsoon climate

5. Roots of American Involvement

6. A divided colony A 1954 agreement split the French colony in North and South Vietnam France left in 1955 U.S. stepped in to assist South Vietnam U.S. involvement grew slowly

7. Communism in Vietnam Geneva Accords Agreement between countries involved Soviet Union, U.S., China, Laos, Cambodia, Great Britain and France Divided Vietnam along the 17th parallel North Vietnam Communist Leader Ho Chi Minh South Vietnam Anti communist Nationalists

8. Why did the United States aid the French? Domino Theory Idea that if one nation fell under Communist control, nearby nations will also fall Recently settled for a stalemate in Korea

9. A divided Nation

10. Diem’s Repressive Govermment A Catholic Buddhists protested Killed in 1963

11. Communist Infiltration of the South Vietcong A communist group in South Vietnam Opposed Diem government Ho Chi Minh Trail A network of paths used by the North Vietnamese to transport supplies to Vietcong in the South

12. Johnson and the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution U.S.S. Maddox was conducting an espionage mission Greatly escalated the war Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Adopted in 1964 Granted President broad powers to wage war in Vietnam

13. Americanizing the War

14. Vietcong Tactics Guerilla warfare Hit and Run ambush Booby traps Land mines Elaborate tunnel networks Bridges Underground fuel tanks Hospitals Supply warehouses

15. U.S. Tactics War of Attrition Gradual wear down of the enemy by continuous harassment General Westmoreland Requested additional troops Led to high body counts Search and Destroy missions Use of defoliants Battle of Hearts and minds Convince people that America is there to help Vietcong will have no place to hide

16. Philosophies of the War Sec. of State McNanamara Ho Chi Minh “I don’t think these people have the capacity to fight this way” “You can kill ten of my men for everyone I kill of yours, but even at those odds you will lose and I will win.”

17. U.S. trouble Unsure of terrain Difficult to determine friend from foe Clear objectives were never set

18. Vietnam: A working class war A “manipulative” draft Most soldiers were in war drafted 2.2 million drafted Medical deferments College deferments Draft dodgers 60,000-100,000 fled to Canada to avoid serving Lee Greenwood “I am proud to be an American”

19. 1969: I lost the lottery Lottery reinstated to ensure fairness Dec 1, 1969 First lottery was held Social Security Headquarters in D.C. First date drawn was Sept. 14th

20. America Divided

21. “I may disagree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to day it.” What did soldiers say when asked their opinion on the anti-war sentiment? Should freedom of speech be defended at any cost? Why did these young men serve when so many others avoided service?

22. Campus Activitism “Hey L.B.J., how many kids have you killed today.” “Eighteen today, dead tomorrow.” “Draft beer, not boys” Columbia University

23. Doves v. the Hawks Doves Hawks Opposed war Thought it was time to withdraw Supported the war Should increase military force

25. The TET Offensive January-February- the TET Offensive North Vietnamese attack cities in South Vietnam 45,000 Viet Cong and North Vietnam Army (NVA) died Shatters the illusion that American is winning the war Walter Cronkite changed public opinion

26. My Lai Massacre March 1968 Village of My Lai was known to support Viet Cong 504 civilians were killed by U.S. soldiers Some were carved with “C” for Charlie Co. Lt. Calley convicted of killings but he stated he was following orders 22 year helicopter gunner from a different unit brought massacre to light Ron Ridenhour Age 3 and younger- 50 Age 4-7 – 69 70 or older- 27

27. Ending the Vietnam War Three part plan Gradual withdraw of American troops Renewed bombing Hard line negations with Hanoi

28. Response to the Bombing of Cambodia Widespread student protest Kent State University near Cleveland Ohio had some of the worst riots Students bombed the ROTC building Governor sent National guard soldiers to university Guardsmen opened fire 4 students were killed and 11 were wounded