1956 Elections are cancelled (1 of Geneva Accords) 1957 The Vietcong attack in South Vietnam Vietcong are South Vietnamese communists Guerrilla fighters Civil War erupts in Vietnam Communist North vs. non Communist South Organized by Ho Chi Minh Who are Vietcong fighting? What happened to Vietminh? How? Money, military aid (weapons/equipment), military advisors(teach how to fight, strategy), intelligence (spying) Why? 1
How is the U.S. involved in Vietnam at this point in history (after Vietcong attack U.S. bases research from yesterday)? Political: Economic: Military: 1963 Ngo Dinh Diem (leader of south) overthrown and executed by South Vietnamese generals (military coup) Why? Diem very unpopular Catholic (5% minority) Anti Buddhist laws The US did nothing 3 wks later Kennedy assassinated. Johnson becomes president. 2
Gulf of Tonkin Incident 2 attacks U.S. warship fired upon in Golf of Tonkin Aug. 2, 1964 U.S. response: fired back at boats, warning to N. Vietnam 2 nd attack? Aug. 4 U.S. response: Air strikes on N. Vietnam naval bases Did it really happen? Why U.S. ships there? doing surveillance to guide S. Vietnam army attacks Response to Gulf of Tonkin Incident Congress gives President Johnson full authority to do whatever necessary to stop communism in Vietnam Blank Check ; keys to military Good idea? Bad idea? Passed the House 416 0 Passed the Senate 98 2 Constitutional Issue? Vietcong attack U.S. bases with military advisors 3
Gives president authority to use U.S. military without approval from Congress. Why is this a problem? Too much power for one person. Violates the Constitution: Congress is supposed to vote on it to show the will of the people Authorizing this measure means sending our American boys into combat in a war which we have no business, which is not our war, into which we have been misguidedly drawn, which is steadily being escalated. This resolution is a further authorization for escalation unlimited. Senator Ernest Gruening (Alaska), August 1964 4
Hawks For military action in Vietnam Many Advisors to president Expand fighting in Vietnam Reasons yes Domino theory If don t fight communism here, will have to fight it elsewhere World credibility. U.S. is protector of free world, helps allies, S. Vietnam asked for help U.S. Public opinion can t look soft on communism lose elections Main military advisors say (Westmoreland) can win this! Doves Negotiate for peace Reasons No No guarantee of victory (remember Korea, costly, gained little after 3 yrs) Vietnam even more difficult guerilla jungle warfare Too expensive interfere with domestic programs (great society) Not in U.S. interest someone else's civil war, no strategic value in Vietnam, more important issues at home Risk of war with China and Soviet Union 5
Are you a hawk or a dove? What is value of Vietnam to U.S.? American responsibility to help / protect those seeking freedom spread democracy International prestige American influence Ho Chi Minh warned that if the Americans "want to make war for twenty years then we shall make war for twenty years. If they want to make peace, we shall make peace and invite them to afternoon tea. Deputy Foreign Minister Tran Quang Co (from North) the primary goal of the war was to reunify Vietnam and secure its independence. The policy of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) was not to topple other noncommunist governments in South East Asia. 6
Options Continue aid to South More direct involvement (U.S. military including troops) Get out Negotiate peace 1965 OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER Heavy bombing of North Vietnam by the US Goal: bomb North Vietnam so much that they would give up Where had that been tried before? 7
March 8, 1965 US sends in first ground troops (3500 marines) Americanization of War U.S. takes over main role of fighting the war 66% Americans approve of policy in Vietnam Ground commander in Vietnam Tells Pres. Johnson that enemy will be defeated by 1967 Need 120,000 troops 8
600,000 500,000 400,000 300,000 200,000 100,000 0 15,000 23,000 Troops in Vietnam 184,000 389,000 543,000 486,000 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 Troops in Vietnam Vietcong: communist and guerilla fighters North Vietnamese Army (NVA ) Both NVA and Vietcong fighting in South Vietnam Supported By: Soviet Union and Chinese Versus U.S. military Regular troops wanted to be there Drafted troops had to go because of draft Army of Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) South Vietnamese Army 9
Guerilla War Enemy blends in Ambush Hit and run attacks Use of tunnels Booby traps The Vietcong supplied by North Vietnam via the Ho Chi Minh trail Supported by the Chinese and Soviets more 10
Search and destroy missions + air support War of attrition kill so many of enemy over time can t fight anymore. Body counts a measure. Eliminate the hiding places Napalm (burn down the jungle) Agent orange (defoliate the jungle) 11
Pacification promote security and stability in S. Vietnam win hearts and minds Supply food, goods, build schools, bridges Propaganda persuade villagers to support South gov. Eliminate Vietcong and sympathizers from villages, provide security (ARVN) Limited War U.S. never uses it s full military. Why not? U.S. never invades North Vietnam with troops. Only bombs the north. Why not? 12
Ineffective security / uprooting villagers Bombs and missiles destroyed whole villages Napalm had lasting psychological damage Search and destroy made more enemies than friends Vietcong intimidation: used fear, assassinations Westmoreland claims victory is close! Television shows different story Leads to a credibility gap Public does not trust gov. 13