The Vietnam WarMr. Williamson

Somerville High School

The US in Vietnam1953 – Eisenhower’s policy toward VietnamMonetary aid to French to battle against Ho Chi Minh &

communistsGoal is to CONTAIN the spread of communism

Domino Theory – idea that if Vietnam fell to communism, Japan, Philippines and Australia could be threatened

1954 - Vietminh, the communist force, trap a French military base at Dien Bien Phu, force the surrender

Geneva Accords: France grants independence to Laos, CambodiaVietnam to be split (North/South) at the 17th Parallel

North – Communist led by Ho Chi MinhSouth – Anti-Communist led by Ngo Dinh Diem1956 – Free elections to unify Vietnam

The US in Vietnam1957 – Communist rebel group in South Vietnam,

National Liberation Front (NLF)Goal to undermine Diem’s southern gov’t, unite Vietnam

under communist flag, supplied by North VietnamNLF’s guerilla fighters, VIETCONG, launched attacks

against gov’t officials, destroyed infrastructure

Ngo Dinh Diem’s policies unpopular in South VietnamCatholic in a Buddhist nation, signs anti-Buddhist

legislation, refused to pass land reformsUS works to remove him from power/need for new

leadership

The US in Vietnam

Buddhist monk sets himself on fire in Saigon to protest the Diem regime

The US in Vietnam1964 – President Johnson faces 1st crisis

8/2 – North Vietnamese torpedo boats fire on USS Maddox as it patrols the Gulf of Tonkin

LBJ responds – Aggressive actions against S. Vietnam/US will receive a responseOrders an airstrike against N. Vietnam

Asks Congress for approval to use force to defend US troopsAgrees to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Authorizes the President to “take all/necessary measures to repel any armed attack”

Gave LBJ tremendous war powers, did not have to go to Congress for troops/declaration of war

The US in VietnamFebruary 1965 – LBJ orders Operation Rolling Thunder,

1st sustained bombing of N. VietnamResponse to Vietcong attack that killed US troops at PleikuDid not stop the North from supplying the Vietcong in the

South

Role of Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, Gen. William WestmorelandAdvisers believed US needed to increase its military

presence to win that war

Bombing campaigns widespread in VietnamNapalm – jellied gasoline would cover large areas in flamesAgent Orange – herbicide meant to kill plant life

Defoliated the countryside/disrupted enemy food supplyCaused cancers/physical problems later in life

The US in VietnamGroup Challenge

Scenario – US involvement in Vietnam is increasing rapidly with additional troops and battlefield deaths. As a close adviser to President Johnson, you are concerned his policy may not be effective in dealing with the various issues of Vietnam. You have a meeting with President Johnson, his Cabinet & military advisers tomorrow.

Brainstorm 2-3 strategies that would address the issues that have been discussed so far in class. Be specific/appropriate in your idea and prepare how it would be an effective policy. We will share our ideas as a class and discuss which ones would be the most beneficial for each side.

Provide your strategies on the paper provided, 10 minutes, good luck!

The US in Vietnam Difficult challenges in Vietnam

Unlike WWII, did not emphasize territorial acquisition No attempt to destroy N. Vietnam, communist regime

Fear of triggering Chinese/Soviet involvement Troops forced to support/develop/protect S. Vietnam Difficult to tell allies/enemies

New Battlefields No significant battles, Vietcong avoided US firepower Adverse conditions – heat, rainforests, etc. Vietcong used small-units/knowledge of land to their advantage

Actions of US Military 10k women – primarily as nurses End of 1965 – US soldiers now being drafted Morale begins to waver/question their involvement

The US in Vietnam Doubt Grows on US Home Front

Lack of Progress US believed it would be a quick war

US powerful/advanced country, N. Vietnam poor/min. technology Johnson asserts that victory was close

Weakened US Economy Great Society – demands domestic $ to eliminate poverty,

education, etc. Lowers unemployment but rising prices/inflation forces Johnson to

raise taxes

Anti-War Movement Begins Congress now split over the war

Hawks – support Johnson, believed in containment/domino theoryDoves – liberal politicians, students, civil rights leaders question

war. Believed it was a LOCALIZED, not a global conflict

The US in Vietnam Hawk/Dove Debate Preparation

Provided the Hawk/Dove primary sources given to you, create a “T” chart in your notebook, with the headings “Hawk” & “Dove”.

On the appropriate side of your T Chart, write the numbers of the excerpt and a short summary in your own words.

At the end of class, each group will be assigned a perspective (Hawk/Dove) to prepare for the National Security Meeting with the president.

Tomorrow, during the 2nd half of class we will conduct a National Security Meeting where you will present your assigned perspective to the president. You will provide a recommendation to the president on the following

question: Should the president significantly increase US military involvement in Vietnam?

Each person in the class will present their recommendation and will be graded on a rubric, worth 18 points. Your voice must be heard and your participation is required. Good Luck!

The US in Vietnam Hawk/Dove Debate

Take out a piece of paper and fold a sheet length-wise. Write your assigned perspective (hawk/dove) so we can clearly identify your stance. Hand your rubric to Mr. Williamson.

When addressing the class/Mr. Williamson, please begin your comments with “Mr. President” or “President Johnson”.

After everyone has presented, YOUR GROUP (1 person) will have 5 minutes to prepare and present a rebuttal against your opponent. As a result, your attention to each group’s presentation is vital (make notes, highlight their weaknesses). When called upon, state your opponent’s view and then deliver your statement.

Graded on the following: Use of examples/facts Relevance of supporting arguments Strength of arguments Preparation PROFESSIONALISM! No personal attacks. Focus on the issue, not the person!