The document summarizes key aspects of the Vietnam War, including the escalation of US involvement, major figures, and battles/weapons used. It discusses how the US used increased bombing and chemical weapons to try to defeat Viet Cong forces hiding in jungles and tunnels. However, the Viet Cong avoided direct combat and launched surprise attacks. The document also examines the Gulf of Tonkin incident that helped escalate the war and profiles important figures like Ho Chi Minh and Le Duc Tho who were involved in negotiations.

1. Title: The Vietnam War
Thesis: The Vietnam War was one of the most significant events in American history; sparking
country wide protests and movements against the war.
I. United States Escalates the war
A. Peasants and others walked various routes, including the Ho Chi Minh Trail, carrying
supplies on their backs for Vietcong soldiers fighting in the south. Page 29.
B. Another important piece of American technology was the helicopter. Page 31.
C. The Communists avoided the direct combat that the Americans favored. Instead,
they launched surprise attacks, or ambushes, upon the American and South Vietnamese armies
and then quickly slipped away to hide in the jungle or in the miles of tunnels that honeycombed
the hills. Page 32.
D. To offset them, the Americans used chemical herbicides to make trees and bushes
drop their leaves and make the enemy more visible. Page 34.
II. Major Figures, Build up, Crisis
A. To this day I don't know what happened... in the Tonkin Gulf... I think we may have
made two serious misjudgments. Page 14.
B. There was no physical evidence of this attack, however, and many people- including
the North Vietnamese authorities and several US senators- claim that it never took place. Page
14.
C. In 1941, Thanh created the Viet Minh and changed his name to Ho Chi Minh, which
means “He Who Enlightens.” Page 42.
D. Le Duc Tho rejected the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize, which was awarded to himself and
Kissinger jointly. Page 43.
III. People, places, battles, and weapons
A. The Operation Rolling Thunder bombing campaign began in March 1965. Page 20.

2. B. During Rolling Thunder, more bombs were dropped on North Vietnam than the
United States used in the Pacific Theater in World War II. Page 21