American II – Unit 7 – Vocabulary Words 1. Agent orange 2. Camp David Accords 3. Détente 4. Domino Theory 5. Doves 6. Feminism 7. Geneva Accords 8. Hawks 9. Ho Chi Minh 10. Ho Chi Minh Trail 11. Iran Hostage Crisis 12. Kent State Shootings 13. Mandate 14. My Lai Massacre 15. Napalm 16. Ngo Dinh Diem 17. Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) 18. pardon 19. realpolitik 20. SALT II 21. Search and Destroy Missions 22. Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I) 23. Tet Offensive 24. The Pentagon Papers 25. Tonkin Gulf Resolution 26. Vietcong 27. Vietminh 28. Vietnamization 29. Watergate 30. Woodward and Berstein AMERICAN II - UNIT 7 – Notes Moving Toward Conflict France Controlled Vietnam since late 1800’s, but the peasants disliked foreign rule, followed Ho Chi Minh, the communist leader of Vietnam throughout the Vietnam War, who was exiled to China Japan forced out France in WWII, but faced problems with peasants with return of Ho Chi Minh who started Vietminh (Vietnamese word to describe their dislike of foreign rule, and desire to rule themselves) After Japanese defeat in WWII, France wanted to take back over Vietnam Vietnamese fought back with Ho Chi Minh 1. What was Vietminh and why did the Vietnamese want it? Moving Toward Conflict (cont) US afraid of Domino Theory - This is an American belief that if one country falls to communism the surrounding countries to fall to communism as well soon afterwards The French were beaten and surrendered in northwest Vietnam in 1954 Geneva Accords – This agreement between America and Vietnam temporary divided Vietnam along 17th parallel in 1954. N. Vietnam being communist with elections in 1956 to decide leader of N and S Vietnam 2. Why was America so confident that the Geneva Accords would peacefully solve the Vietnam issue? Why did it not end up solving the situation? Moving Toward Conflict (cont) Ho Chi Minh had great popularity in the North b/c he divided up land between the peasants Ngo Dinh Diem, S. Vietnam’s democratic leader, was very corrupt and lost so much popularity, refused to run in 1956 election. By 1957 Ho Chi Minh started attacking S. Vietnam with Vietcong (Citizens of South Vietnam who would support and fight for the North Vietnamese) using the Ho Chi Minh Trail (A Trail that went through Laos and Cambodia along the Board of Vietnam that the North Vietnamese would use to supply or attack South Vietnam.) 3. What is the difference between the Vietcong and the North Vietnamese Army? Moving Toward Conflict (cont) By 1963, the US had put 16,000 US troops in S. Vietnam to keep them from falling to communism Ngo Dinh Diem was Catholic, and country was Buddhist, he tried stop Buddhism, and monks set themselves on fire to protest The US needed to “replace” Diem b/c he lost support of the people, so the US allowed him to be assassinated 4. What was Ngo Dien Diem doing that made America unhappy with him? Moving Toward Conflict (cont) Now S. Vietnam needed a leader, and none could be found, this made S. Vietnam weaker United States wanted to get involved, and knew an “attack” would be the only way in which the people would buy a war USS Maddox was supposedly attacked by N. Vietnamese President Johnson helped pass the Tonkin Gulf Resolution – This act of congress allowed the President complete control to “defend” South Vietnam by any means necessary and congress couldn’t over ride him. 5. What supposedly happened in the Gulf of Tonkin that made America want to get more involved? US Involvement and Escalation Lyndon B. Johnson is president, and by 1965, 50,000 US troops are in Vietnam Johnson listened to pro-war advisors left over from JFK that encourage escalation 61% of Americans in 1965 support the war 6. Why do you think so many people supported the war at first? US Involvement and Escalation (Cont.) The American Commander in Vietnam: General William Westmoreland He said that the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), S. Vietnam Army, was horrible, and the US should do all the work Most fighting done in the Jungles in Vietnam Vietcong used guerilla tactics, and hid in tunnels underground between attacks, also blended in with the ordinary people 7. What kind of tactics did the Vietcong and North Vietnamese Army use that was difficult for America to fight against? US Involvement and Escalation (Cont.) US wanted to win the “hearts and minds” of the S. Vietnamese people, to help find the Vietcong Napalm (fire bombs dropped from planes during Vietnam) and agent orange (jungle killer used by American military during Vietnam. Caused many sicknesses and diseases) hurt he S. Vietnamese and made them sick. Didn’t like the US. Search and Destroy Missions – Marines would attack villages thought of harboring Vietcong 8. What were some of the negative consequences of using Napalm and Agent Orange in Vietnam? US Involvement and Escalation (Cont.) Soldier moral dropped S. Vietnamese corrupting increased Monks and Nuns started burning themselves again POW’s served for years when captured and tortured Less money in US for “Great Society” War was on TV. Lost much support Soldier Moral Dropped Video 9. Why did so many Americans turn against the War in Vietnam when they saw live footage on television? A Nation Divided By the late 60’s, so many men were needed in Vietnam, the Draft was put back into place Many people tried to avoid the draft, the easiest way was college deferment. However, most college students were rich white males. This made a disproportionate amount of African Americans serve in the military 10,000 women also served in Vietnam The United States was split down the middle on the war. Doves – This was a term for people who were against the Vietnam war Hawks – This was a term for people who supported the Vietnam war 10. What caused a disproportionate amount of African Americans serve in the Vietnam war? 1968 Johnson decides its best not to run for President again in 1968. Great Society Suffers. Robert Kennedy assassinated, and Hubert Humphrey was democratic nominee. Humphrey lost to Nixon who promised to get the US out of Vietnam. (Nixon wanted Vietnamization, or a gradual withdrawal from Vietnam so the North Vietnamese wouldn’t be able to take South Vietnam) George Wallace was third party candidate (segregation) 11. Explain the concept behind Vietnamization. Public Opinion turns against the War in Vietnam The War was on Television, and many people saw the brutality of actual war. 1968 – Tet Offensive – On a Vietnamese Holiday, the North Vietnamese almost took over all of South Vietnam in a single day with a surprise attack. This made America realize that North Vietnam isn’t going to back down. 1968 – My Lai Massacre – Marines went into a small town thought to be helping the rebels, and executed many innocent civilians. It was covered up initially. 1970 – Kent State Shootings – Massive Protests against the war on the campus of Kent State. The National Guard opened fire on unarmed students killing 4. 1971 – The Pentagon Papers – documents were released that showed Lyndon Johnson had planned to attack North Vietnam prior to the Tonkin Gulf incident, making the public question whether we should have ever gone to war to begin with. The news Media turned against the war, as well as Walter Cronkite, and LBJ knew that he had officially lost public support 12. What were some of the reasons that America turned against the war between 1968-1971? Protest against Vietnam by America’s Youth Much opposition began to spring up from college students for many reasons They would be drafted if not in college They are in the US and can protest Can get drafted at 18, can’t vote until 21 Thought it was against basic human rights Thought the country was being run by faceless corporations Many Burned Draft cards Protest to Vietnam 13. Why were college-aged kids the most vocal opponents against the war? The End of the War and It’s Legacy Richard Nixon is President, and appoints security advisor Henry Kissinger to complete Vietnamization Wanted to pull out of Vietnam, and not have the Vietcong go on offensive to S. Vietnam, so Nixon bombed N. Vietnam hard to scare them. Along with Laos and Cambodia Nixon pulled out troops, and N. Vietnam quickly took over S. Vietnam Soldiers were not welcomed on their return, many had life-long ailments. 14. Was Vietnamization effective? Explain your answer. Equality for Latinos Latino population tripled from 3 million to 9 million in the 1960’s Latinos rallied behind Cesar Chavez who organized the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee Wanted to unionize in farming industry in heavily Latino populated California La Raza Unida (Mexican Americans United) fought for more rights 15. What were some of the issues that Latinos were facing the in the 1960’s? Equality for American Indians Native Americans have historically had higher alcoholism and unemployment rates than any other American group Organized the American Indian Movement (AIM) Wanted to have the Bureau of Indian Affairs (founded under FDR ADM.) abolished b/c of corruption Became somewhat militant, and was able to get much land back and monetary compensation for lands, property, and rights lost. 16. What were some of the issues Native Americans dealt with at this time? Equality for Women Betty Friedan – The Feminine Mystique – said that many women were unhappy just being a house wife Feminism – belief that women should be equal with men in all aspects of society 1966 – Friedan organized the National Organization for Women (NOW) which called for equality for all women 17.