The Limits of Power- Turmoil The Limits of Power- Turmoil at Home and Abroad: 1965-at Home and Abroad: 1965-

19731973

Chapter 19Chapter 19

Section 1Section 1

No war in U.S. history was as controversial No war in U.S. history was as controversial as the one fought in the Asian country of as the one fought in the Asian country of Vietnam between 1965 and 1973.Vietnam between 1965 and 1973.

It came as a shock to the American public It came as a shock to the American public that their country’s armed forces- although that their country’s armed forces- although better equipped than any military force in better equipped than any military force in history could not achieve victory in the history could not achieve victory in the jungles of a relatively small nation.jungles of a relatively small nation.

Many people, particularly students in high Many people, particularly students in high school and college, questioned whether it was school and college, questioned whether it was necessary to fight in Vietnam.necessary to fight in Vietnam.

Public protests against the war were one Public protests against the war were one reason that Lyndon Johnson surprised the reason that Lyndon Johnson surprised the world in 1968 by announcing that he would world in 1968 by announcing that he would not seek reelection.not seek reelection.

The next president to deal with Vietnam, The next president to deal with Vietnam, Richard Nixon, also faced student unrest and Richard Nixon, also faced student unrest and the growing discontent of the American the growing discontent of the American people about the war’s cost and people about the war’s cost and destructiveness.destructiveness.

Nixon adopted the policy of pulling Nixon adopted the policy of pulling U.S. troops out Vietnam.U.S. troops out Vietnam.

Does this strike a striking similarity Does this strike a striking similarity to something going on today? to something going on today?

Vietnam: Sacrifice and TurmoilVietnam: Sacrifice and Turmoil

The war in Vietnam began long The war in Vietnam began long before the presidency of Lyndon before the presidency of Lyndon Johnson in the 1960s.Johnson in the 1960s.

Its origins go back to World War Its origins go back to World War II and the revolution that broke II and the revolution that broke out in Vietnam as soon as that out in Vietnam as soon as that war ended.war ended.

Early U.S. InvolvementEarly U.S. Involvement

The Southeast Asian region known as The Southeast Asian region known as Indochina is made up of three countries: Indochina is made up of three countries: Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.

They were French colonies until the mid-They were French colonies until the mid-1950s. 1950s.

The Japanese occupation of this area during The Japanese occupation of this area during World War II inspired nationalist groups to World War II inspired nationalist groups to challenge French rule.challenge French rule.

After the war, guerillas in Vietnam, led by After the war, guerillas in Vietnam, led by the Communist-nationalist Ho Chi Minh, the Communist-nationalist Ho Chi Minh, pushed the French out.pushed the French out.

The United States had backed the French in The United States had backed the French in this conflict, and the Soviet Union had aided this conflict, and the Soviet Union had aided Ho.Ho.

An agreement at the 1954 peace conference An agreement at the 1954 peace conference in Geneva, Switzerland, divided Vietnam at in Geneva, Switzerland, divided Vietnam at the 17the 17thth parallel of latitude. parallel of latitude.

Ho Chi Minh headed the Communist Ho Chi Minh headed the Communist government of North Vietnam.government of North Vietnam.

The government of South Vietnam under The government of South Vietnam under Ngo Dinh Diem had the support of the Ngo Dinh Diem had the support of the United States.United States.

Anti-Diem factions in the South, many aided Anti-Diem factions in the South, many aided by the Communist North, tried to bring by the Communist North, tried to bring down Diem’s government.down Diem’s government.

Their aim was to reunite the two parts of Their aim was to reunite the two parts of Vietnam.Vietnam.

South Vietnam asked for help from the United South Vietnam asked for help from the United States.States.

In response, the Eisenhower administration In response, the Eisenhower administration sent a few hundred military advisors.sent a few hundred military advisors.

President Kennedy later increased the number President Kennedy later increased the number of advisors to a few thousand.of advisors to a few thousand.

The repressive actions of Diem’s The repressive actions of Diem’s government led to Diem’s assassination.government led to Diem’s assassination.

Successive governments were no more Successive governments were no more popular. popular.

By the mid-1960s, the Communist By the mid-1960s, the Communist opposition appeared to be gaining opposition appeared to be gaining strength.strength.

United States and the Spread of United States and the Spread of CommunismCommunism

President Eisenhower and his secretary of President Eisenhower and his secretary of state, John Foster Dulles, feared what they state, John Foster Dulles, feared what they called a “domino effect.”called a “domino effect.”

They compared the countries of Southeast They compared the countries of Southeast Asia to a lineup of falling dominoes.Asia to a lineup of falling dominoes.

If Vietnam fell to communism, for example, If Vietnam fell to communism, for example, other “dominoes” in the region (Cambodia, other “dominoes” in the region (Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand) might also fall.Laos, and Thailand) might also fall.

In addition, they believe that U.S. In addition, they believe that U.S. failure to respond to the failure to respond to the Communist challenge in Indochina Communist challenge in Indochina would lessen the credibility of U.S. would lessen the credibility of U.S. commitments in other parts of the commitments in other parts of the world during the cold war.world during the cold war.

Johnson and Americanization of Johnson and Americanization of the Warthe War

Lyndon Johnson who became president Lyndon Johnson who became president after President Kennedy was assassinated after President Kennedy was assassinated feared a communist takeover in Vietnam feared a communist takeover in Vietnam and drastically escalated it.and drastically escalated it.

To counter the strong support the To counter the strong support the communist were aiding to the Vietcong communist were aiding to the Vietcong Johnson said it was necessary to commit Johnson said it was necessary to commit large numbers of U.S. troops to the large numbers of U.S. troops to the region.region.

Lyndon JohnsonLyndon Johnson

QuestionsQuestions

What are the Vietcong?What are the Vietcong?

Why was it so important for the Why was it so important for the United States to get involved in a United States to get involved in a war against a small jungle country war against a small jungle country thousands of miles away?thousands of miles away?

Gulf of TonkinGulf of Tonkin

An incident in August 1964 provided An incident in August 1964 provided President Johnson with a specific reason President Johnson with a specific reason for sending troops into combat.for sending troops into combat.

There were reports, which later proved There were reports, which later proved inaccurate, that two U.S. ships had been inaccurate, that two U.S. ships had been attacked by North Vietnamese gunboats in attacked by North Vietnamese gunboats in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of North the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of North Vietnam.Vietnam.

Congress approved the Tonkin Gulf Congress approved the Tonkin Gulf resolution overwhelmingly, with only two resolution overwhelmingly, with only two senators voting against it.senators voting against it.

In effect, the resolution turned over to the In effect, the resolution turned over to the president the power to use the armed president the power to use the armed forces in Vietnam in any way he saw fit.forces in Vietnam in any way he saw fit.

Thus, like the earlier war in Korea, the Thus, like the earlier war in Korea, the Vietnam War was fought without a formal Vietnam War was fought without a formal declaration of war by the U.S. Congress.declaration of war by the U.S. Congress.

Escalation and the Tet OffensiveEscalation and the Tet Offensive

Bombing of targets in North Vietnam and Bombing of targets in North Vietnam and troop buildup increased dramatically in troop buildup increased dramatically in 1965.1965.

TV and newspaper reports referred to the TV and newspaper reports referred to the steady buildup of American forces in steady buildup of American forces in Vietnam as a policy of escalation.Vietnam as a policy of escalation.

American military officials hoped this American military officials hoped this would end the war quickly.would end the war quickly.

In January 1968, Communist forces In January 1968, Communist forces launched an all-out attack against launched an all-out attack against targeted cities in South Vietnam targeted cities in South Vietnam called the Tet Offensive.called the Tet Offensive.

Communists almost captured Communists almost captured Saigon and showed the Americans Saigon and showed the Americans their strength.their strength.

Many soldiers now realized war Many soldiers now realized war could last a long time.could last a long time.

Controversy Over the warControversy Over the war

Arguments for war:Arguments for war:““We are there,” said the president, We are there,” said the president, “because we have a promise to keep.” “because we have a promise to keep.” Ever since 1954 the United States had Ever since 1954 the United States had pledged to help South Vietnam pledged to help South Vietnam To end U.S. commitments to South To end U.S. commitments to South Vietnam would cause other nations to Vietnam would cause other nations to doubt whether they could trust U.S. doubt whether they could trust U.S. commitments to them.commitments to them.

A Communist victory in South A Communist victory in South Vietnam would threaten Vietnam would threaten neighboring countries in Southeast neighboring countries in Southeast Asia and foster Communist Asia and foster Communist aggression throughout the region.aggression throughout the region.The Communist government of the The Communist government of the People’s republic of China People’s republic of China supported North Vietnam’s war supported North Vietnam’s war effort as part of “a wider pattern of effort as part of “a wider pattern of aggressive purposes.”aggressive purposes.”

Arguments Against the WarArguments Against the WarThe war was being fought in a distant area that The war was being fought in a distant area that was not vital for U.S. security. Nor were was not vital for U.S. security. Nor were Vietnam’s economic resources vital to the U.S. Vietnam’s economic resources vital to the U.S. economy.economy.

It was a terribly costly war for U.S. troops to be It was a terribly costly war for U.S. troops to be bogged down in a land war on the Asian bogged down in a land war on the Asian continent.continent.

The South Vietnam government was corrupt The South Vietnam government was corrupt and undemocratic.and undemocratic.

Thousands of Americans were being killedThousands of Americans were being killed

South Vietnam’s army was not capable of South Vietnam’s army was not capable of fighting successfully against the Vietcong fighting successfully against the Vietcong guerrillas and the highly disciplined guerrillas and the highly disciplined troops of North Vietnam.troops of North Vietnam.

Student ProtestsStudent Protests

As more and more young Americans were As more and more young Americans were drafted into military service and sent to fight drafted into military service and sent to fight in Vietnam, many people raised the in Vietnam, many people raised the questions about Johnson’s war policy.questions about Johnson’s war policy.

They began to doubt whether the United They began to doubt whether the United States was fighting for a worthwhile cause.States was fighting for a worthwhile cause.

Many college students adopted various Many college students adopted various strategies for protesting the war policy.strategies for protesting the war policy.

They gathered in groups and publicly They gathered in groups and publicly set fire to their draft cards.set fire to their draft cards.

They occupied buildings on college They occupied buildings on college campuses and chanted defiant slogans campuses and chanted defiant slogans such as “Hey, hey, LBJ, how many kids such as “Hey, hey, LBJ, how many kids did you kill today?”did you kill today?”

Many dodged the draft by going to Many dodged the draft by going to Canada.Canada.

1968: Year of Turmoil1968: Year of Turmoil

A new movement was in full swing A new movement was in full swing where people in the movement were where people in the movement were against the war and preached love and against the war and preached love and nonviolence.nonviolence.

In addition, some students on college In addition, some students on college campuses adopted a style of life and campuses adopted a style of life and dress that offended the older dress that offended the older generation of their parents.generation of their parents.

The radical lifestyle was known as the The radical lifestyle was known as the counterculture.counterculture.

Those adopting an extremely original lifestyle Those adopting an extremely original lifestyle were known as “hippies” and “flower children.”were known as “hippies” and “flower children.”

Social Impact of the Vietnam WarSocial Impact of the Vietnam War

The Vietnam War created deep divisions within The Vietnam War created deep divisions within American society.American society.

Many members of the previous generation who Many members of the previous generation who had fought in World War II believed strongly had fought in World War II believed strongly that the right to disagree did not justify the that the right to disagree did not justify the antiwar protests or draft evasions.antiwar protests or draft evasions.

They believed that Americans should serve They believed that Americans should serve their country patriotically and objected to the their country patriotically and objected to the actions of radical students and to the actions of radical students and to the counterculture of the hippies. counterculture of the hippies.

Returning Vietnam veterans did Returning Vietnam veterans did not understand why they were not not understand why they were not given the same positive welcome given the same positive welcome that soldiers in prior wars had that soldiers in prior wars had received.received.

Media coverage of the war helped Media coverage of the war helped the war’s opposition.the war’s opposition.

General Westmoreland the overall commander General Westmoreland the overall commander of United States ground forces used the body of United States ground forces used the body count to show the United States was winning count to show the United States was winning the war.the war.

Enemy causalities were counted to report to Enemy causalities were counted to report to home that enemy was suffering heavilyhome that enemy was suffering heavily

Johnson’s Decision Not to Seek Johnson’s Decision Not to Seek ReelectionReelection

Johnson ended the bombing in Vietnam and Johnson ended the bombing in Vietnam and called for peace.called for peace.

He did not want to run for a second term of He did not want to run for a second term of office.office.

Election of Richard NixonElection of Richard Nixon

Nixon emerged as the winner in one of the Nixon emerged as the winner in one of the closest elections in U.S. history against closest elections in U.S. history against Humphrey.Humphrey.

Nixon wanted to heavily bomb Vietnam while Nixon wanted to heavily bomb Vietnam while pulling U.S. ground forces out.pulling U.S. ground forces out.

At the same time, South Vietnamese troops At the same time, South Vietnamese troops would receive intensive training to carry on the would receive intensive training to carry on the war themselves.war themselves.

This strategy was called the Vietnamization.This strategy was called the Vietnamization.

More ProtestsMore Protests

Nixon bombing of Nixon bombing of Cambodia set off further Cambodia set off further protests.protests.

In May 1970 at Kent State In May 1970 at Kent State University in Ohio, the University in Ohio, the National Guard opened National Guard opened fire on peaceful fire on peaceful demonstration to break it demonstration to break it up.up.

Four students were killed Four students were killed and several wounded.and several wounded.

Pentagon PapersPentagon Papers

In 1971, after the invasion of Cambodia, In 1971, after the invasion of Cambodia, Daniel Ellsberg, an official in the Daniel Ellsberg, an official in the Department of Defense, released a secret Department of Defense, released a secret Pentagon study of U.S. involvement in Pentagon study of U.S. involvement in Vietnam to several newspapers, including Vietnam to several newspapers, including the New York Times.the New York Times.Nixon fearing national security was at Nixon fearing national security was at stake demanded the New York Times not stake demanded the New York Times not publish the reports.publish the reports.

In a major decision known as New York In a major decision known as New York Times v. United States (1971), the Times v. United States (1971), the Supreme Court upheld the right of Supreme Court upheld the right of newspapers to publish the documents, newspapers to publish the documents, which became known as the Pentagon which became known as the Pentagon Papers.Papers.

Newspapers have the first amendment Newspapers have the first amendment right to publish the Pentagon Papers and right to publish the Pentagon Papers and rejected Nixon’s argument of it being a rejected Nixon’s argument of it being a threat to National Security.threat to National Security.

Without U.S. troop support, south Vietnam's Without U.S. troop support, south Vietnam's government could not long survive.government could not long survive.

In 1975, a combined force of Vietcong and In 1975, a combined force of Vietcong and North Vietnamese swept into the South’s North Vietnamese swept into the South’s capital of Saigon and thus won control of all capital of Saigon and thus won control of all of Vietnam.of Vietnam.

Also in 1975, Cambodia and Laos fell to Also in 1975, Cambodia and Laos fell to communist forces. communist forces.

The loss of South Vietnam, despite U.S. The loss of South Vietnam, despite U.S. military power and financial aid, military power and financial aid, demonstrated both the limits on the demonstrated both the limits on the presidency and the limits on national power.presidency and the limits on national power.

Congress and the War Powers Congress and the War Powers ActAct

Many members regretted the Tonkin Many members regretted the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, which had given Gulf Resolution, which had given total war-making power to President total war-making power to President Johnson.Johnson.

To limit the president’s power in the To limit the president’s power in the future, Congress passed the War future, Congress passed the War Powers Act in 1973.Powers Act in 1973.

Within 48 hours of sending troops into Within 48 hours of sending troops into combat, the president must inform Congress combat, the president must inform Congress of the reasons for action.of the reasons for action.If U.S. troops are involved in fighting abroad If U.S. troops are involved in fighting abroad for a period of more than 90 days, the for a period of more than 90 days, the president must obtain Congress’s approval president must obtain Congress’s approval for continuing the use of troops. If Congress for continuing the use of troops. If Congress does not approve, the president must bring does not approve, the president must bring the troops home. the troops home.

Of the 2.7 million Americans that Of the 2.7 million Americans that served in the Vietnam war…served in the Vietnam war…

300,000 were wounded in action300,000 were wounded in action

75,000 were disabled 75,000 were disabled

Of the casualties listed on The Of the casualties listed on The Wall, approximately 1,300 remain Wall, approximately 1,300 remain missing in action missing in action

58,129 were killed58,129 were killed

The average age was 19The average age was 19

On the Vietnamese side it is On the Vietnamese side it is estimated…estimated…

1.1 million North Vietnamese 1.1 million North Vietnamese and Viet Cong (Southern and Viet Cong (Southern resistance soldiers) were killedresistance soldiers) were killed

Over 2 million North and South Over 2 million North and South Vietnamese citizens were Vietnamese citizens were killedkilled

In the United States we In the United States we refer to this conflict as refer to this conflict as

the Vietnam Warthe Vietnam War

In Vietnam, citizens refer In Vietnam, citizens refer to this conflict as the to this conflict as the

American WarAmerican War

THE COSTS THE COSTS OF WAROF WAR