The Vietnam War Era (1954-1975) Lesson 2 America s Role Escalates
The Vietnam War Era (1954-1975) Lesson 2 America s Role Escalates Learning Objectives Analyze the major issues and events that caused President Johnson to increase American troop strength in Vietnam. Assess the nature of the war in Vietnam and the difficulties faced by each side. Evaluate the effects of low morale on American troops and on the home front. William Westmoreland Napalm hawks Doves
Johnson Increases US Involvement: America Supported America s involvement Containment Policy In 1965, 61% of Americans supported the war, while 24% opposed it Start of 1965, 25,000 troops in S. Vietnam End of 1965, 185,000 troops 1968 543,000 troops That s half a million! American commander in S. Vietnam William Westmoreland (served in WII and Korea), continued to request more troops
Escalation of Forces in Vietnam Analyze Data What does the data reveal about the war during the years 1965 to 1968?
Fighting in The Jungle: US vs Vietnam 1 st world country vs. 3 rd world country American public thought of quick and decisive victory Vietcong N. Vietnamese Soldiers used hit and run tactics because of their lack of high powered weaponry guerilla warfare Soldiers lived amongst the people of N. Vietnam Tunnel network Booby traps and mines
GUERRILLA WARFARE USED BOOBY TRAPS, LAND MINES, TUNNELS TO SNEAK ATTACK TROOPS
A Frustrating War of Attrition: USA s strategy was attrition destroy their morale and wear them down He also introduced the idea of a body count to encourage his men and discourage the enemy American forces tried to win over the S. Vietnamese so that they wouldn t join the Vietcong US planes dropped Napalm gas bombs to set fire to the jungle They also sprayed agent orange a leaf killing toxic chemical (cancerous) These weapons left villages and innocent civilians devastated PULITZER PRIZE WINNER 1972
Johnson Changes Strategies America moves past advisory role Troops on the ground + Massive bombing campaign Operation Rolling Thunder Intense Bombing campaign against the N. Vietnamese Hoped to stop the Vietcong in N. Vietnam move towards peace 1965 1973 6 million tons of bombs Napalm + Agent Orange Napalm jellied gasoline substance dropped in canisters Agent Orange chemical intended to kill plant life Destroy the Jungles of Vietnam Agent Orange was later found to have caused cancer, miscarriages, birth defects and other diseases. E. The Government did not acknowledge the damage of Agent Orange until 1984. It was later discovered that the government knew all along how dangerous it was almost 12 million gallons of Agent Orange was sprayed on Vietnam.
Escalation of Forces in Vietnam Analyze Maps Based on the information in the map, what advantage did the Ho Chi Minh Trail give the Vietcong?
Sinking Morale Troops eventually became frustrated because of: 1. Guerilla warfare 2. Harsh Jungle Conditions 3. Making No Headway against the enemy Many troops turned to alcohol, drugs, prostitution, and infighting among their own men Morale would worsen later when soldiers realized they were fighting even though their govt. was negotiating a withdrawal
Doubt Grows on the Home Front American Public looses faith in the Vietnam War American Military proven ineffective against guerilla warfare Public expected a quick victory Defense Spending Money and focus on the war instead of the Great Society
Doubt Grows on the Home Front Anti-War Movement Support for American Intervention prior to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Nation becomes divided Hawks Supporters of the War Believed in Containment and Domino Theory Doves Did not fully support the Vietnam War» Vietnam was a Civil War no need for American Intervention» Liberals, pacifists, college students, civil rights leaders