1960s...Turmoil and Change

Vietnam War

1. Why?
1. To stop the spread of communism (Truman Doctrine = “contain communism”)
2. North Vietnam (communist) was pushing into South Vietnam (non-communist)
2. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, 1964
1. US boats patrolling there get shot
2. Congress gives Pres. LBJ a “blank check” to do whatever he wants
3. "Escalation"--1965, 400,000 troops sent to Vietnam
3. For 4 years…
1. We’re told we’re winning
2. Jan. 1968, "Tet Offensive" occurs where N. Vietnam attacks the South…maybe we’re not winning after all
4. Problems
1. can’t tell who the enemy is
1. on paper, it’s the NVA (North Vietnamese Army)
2. in reality, it’s the NVA but also the VC (Viet Cong = folks in S. Vietnam but on N. side)
2. US not allowed to go into Cambodia where Ho Chi Minh Trail is
3. guerrilla warfare not the best for US, good for VC
4. bombing was just blowing up the jungle, not the enemy
5. division, many Americans protested and rejected the troops
5. What happened?
1. War drags on and on, Nixon becomes new president promising "victory with honor"
2. US starts withdrawing, turning war over to Vietnam
3. 1973, US is out of Vietnam. Victory?
4. 1975, South Vietnam falls to North Vietnam. Victory?