Name: _________________________________________

Chapter 22: The Vietnam War Years

Chapter Main Idea: The United States becomes locked in a military stalemate in Southeast Asia.
U.S. forces withdraw after a decade of heavy war casualties abroad and assassinations and antiwar
demonstrations at home.
Essential Question: How did the Vietnam War impact life in the United States?
Section 1: Moving Toward Conflict
Main Idea: To stop the spread of communism in Southeast Asia, the United States uses its military to
support South Vietnam.
Why it Matters Now: The United States support role in Vietnam began what would become
Americas longest and most controversial war in its history.
1. America Supports France in Vietnam
French Rule in Vietnam
- Late 1800sWW II, France rules most of Indochina
- Ho Chi Minhleader of Vietnamese independence movement
1. helps create Indochinese Communist Party
- 1940, Japanese take control of Vietnam
- Vietminhorganization that aims to rid Vietnam of foreign rule
- Sept. 1945, Ho Chi Minh declares Vietnam an independent nation
France Battles the Vietminh
- French troops move into Vietnam; French fight, regain cities, South
- 1950, U.S. begins economic aid to France to stop communism
The Vietminh Drive Out the French
- Domino theorycountries can fall to communism like row of dominoes
- 1954, Vietminh overrun French at Dien Bien Phu; France surrenders
- Geneva Accords divide Vietnam at 17th parallel; Communists get north
- Election to unify country called for in 1956
For what reason did the United States support France in the war?
2. The United States Steps In
Diem Cancels Elections
- Ho has brutal, repressive regime but is popular for land distribution
- S. Vietnams anti-Communist president Ngo Dinh Diem refuses election
- U.S. promises military aid for stable, reform government in South
- Diem corrupt, stifles opposition, restricts Buddhism
- Vietcong (Communist opposition group in South) kills officials
- Ho sends arms to Vietcong along Ho Chi Minh Trail
Kennedy and Vietnam
- Like Eisenhower, JFK backs Diem financially; sends military advisers
- Diems popularity plummets from corruption, lack of land reform
- Diem starts strategic hamlet program to fight Vietcong
1. villagers resent being moved from ancestral homes
- Diem presses attacks on Buddhism; monks burn themselves in protest
- U.S.-supported military coup topples government; Diem assassinated
Who were the Vietcong fighting?
3. President Johnson Expands the Conflict
The South Grows More Unstable
- Succession of military leaders rule S. Vietnam; country unstable
- LBJ thinks U.S. can lose international prestige if communists win
The Tonkin Gulf Resolution
- Alleged attack in Gulf of Tonkin; LBJ asks for power to repel enemy

1964 Tonkin Gulf Resolution gives him broad military powers

1965 8 Americans killed, LBJ orders sustained bombing of North
U.S. combat troops sent to S. Vietnam to battle Vietcong
What did the Tonkin Gulf Resolution grant President Johnson?

Break it down: What reasons did the United States have for becoming involved in the
Vietnamstruggle?
Section 2: U.S. Involvement and Escalation
Main Idea: The United States sends troops to fight in Vietnam, but the war quickly turns into a
stalemate.
Why it Matters Now: Since Vietnam, Americans are more aware of the positive and negative effects
of using U. S. troops in foreign conflicts.
1. Johnson Increases U.S. Involvement
a. Strong Support for Containment
i. LBJ hesitates breaking promise to keep troops out; works with:
1. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, Secretary of State Dean Rusk
ii. Congress, majority of public support sending troops
b. The Troop Buildup Accelerates
i. General William WestmorelandU.S. commander in South Vietnam
ii. Thinks southern Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) ineffective
iii. Requests increasing numbers; by 1967 500,000 U.S. troops
Name two groups that supported Johnsons decision to use troops in Vietnam.
2. Fighting in the Jungle
a. An Elusive Enemy
i. Vietcong use hit-and-run, ambush tactics, move among civilians
ii. Tunnels help withstand airstrikes, launch attacks, connect villages
iii. Terrain laced with booby traps, land mines laid by U.S., Vietcong
b. A Frustrating War of Attrition
i. Westmoreland tries to destroy Vietcong morale through attrition
ii. Vietcong receive supplies from China, U.S.S.R.; remain defiant
iii. U.S. sees war as military struggle; Vietcong as battle for survival
c. The Battle for Hearts and Minds
i. U.S. wants to stop Vietcong from winning support of rural population
ii. Weapons for exposing tunnels often wound civilians, destroy villages
1. napalm: gasoline-based bomb that sets fire to jungle
2. Agent Orange: leaf-killing, toxic chemical
iii. Search-and-destroy missions move civilian suspects, destroy property
iv. Villagers go to cities, refugee camps; 1967, over 3 million refugees
d. Sinking Morale
i. Guerrilla warfare, jungle conditions, lack of progress lower morale
ii. Many soldiers turn to alcohol, drugs; some kill superior officers
iii. Government corruption, instability lead S. Vietnam to demonstrate
e. Fulfilling a Duty
i. Most U.S. soldiers believe in justice of halting communism
ii. Fight courageously, take patriotic pride in fulfilling their duty
Name two reasons why the U.S. failed to score a quick victory against the Vietcong
3. The Early War at Home
a. The Great Society Suffers
i. War grows more costly with more troops; inflation rate rising

ii. LBJ gets tax increase to pay for war, check inflation
1. has to accept $6 billion funding cut for Great Society
b. The Living-Room War
i. Combat footage on nightly TV news shows stark picture of war
ii. Critics say credibility gap between administration reports and events
iii. Senator J. William Fulbrights hearings add to doubts about war
How did the war affect Johnsons Great Society?
Break it down: Why were the strategies used by the U.S. against the Vietcong unsuccessful in
forcing or convincing the Vietcong to surrender?

Section 3: A Nation Divided

Main Idea: An antiwar movement in the U.S. pits supporters of the governments war policy against
those who oppose it.
Why it Matters Now: The painful process of healing a divided nation continues today.
1. The Working Class Goes to War
a. A Manipulatable Draft
i. Selective Service System, draft, calls men 1826 to military service
ii. Thousands look for ways to avoid the draft
iii. Manymostly white, affluentget college deferment
iv. 80% of U.S. soldiers come from lower economic levels
b. African Americans in Vietnam
i. African Americans serve in disproportionate numbers in ground combat
ii. Defense Dept. corrects problem by instituting draft lottery in 1969
iii. Racial tensions high in many platoons; add to low troop morale
c. Women Join the Ranks
i. 10,000 women serve, mostly as military nurses
ii. Thousands volunteer: American Red Cross, United Services Organization
Name two groups of Americans who did most of the fighting early on in Vietnam.
2. The Roots of Opposition
a. The New Left
i. New Leftyouth movement of 1960s, demand sweeping changes
ii. Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), Free Speech Movement (FSM):
1. criticize big business, government; want greater individual freedom
b. Campus Activism
i. New Left ideas spread across colleges
ii. Students protest campus issues, Vietnam war
What is a left group? Name two of them.
3. The Protest Movement Emerges
a. The Movement Grows
i. In 1965, protest marches, rallies draw tens of thousands
ii. 1966, student deferments require good academic standing
1. SDS calls for civil disobedience; counsels students to go abroad
iii. Small numbers of returning veterans protest; protest songs popular
b. From Protest to Resistance
i. Anti-war demonstrations, protests increase, some become violent
ii. Some men burn draft cards; some refuse to serve; some flee to Canada
c. War Divides the Nation
i. Doves strongly oppose war, believe U.S. should withdraw

ii. Hawks favor sending greater forces to win the war

iii. 1967 majority of Americans support war, consider protesters disloyal
d. Johnson Remains Determined
i. LBJ continues slow escalation, is criticized by both hawks and doves
ii. Combat stalemate leads Defense Secretary McNamara to resign
Briefly explain the positions of the hawks and doves.
Break it down: Discuss the various reasons that a large number of young Americans opposed the
war.

Section 4: 1968: A Tumultuous Year

Main Idea: An enemy attack in Vietnam, two assassinations, and a chaotic political convention make
1968 an explosive year.
Why it Matters Now: Disturbing events in 1968 accentuated the nations divisions, which are still
healing in the 21st century.
1. The Tet Offensive Turns the War
a. A Surprise Attack
i. 1968 villagers go to cities to celebrate Tet (Vietnamese new year)
ii. Vietcong among crowd attack over 100 towns, 12 U.S. air bases
iii. Tet offensive lasts 1 month before U.S., S. Vietnam regain control
iv. Westmoreland declares attacks are military defeat for Vietcong
b. Tet Changes Public Opinion
i. Before Tet, most Americans hawks; after Tet, hawks, doves both 40%
ii. Mainstream media openly criticizes war
iii. LBJ appoints Clark Clifford as new Secretary of Defense
iv. After studying situation, Clifford concludes war is unwinnable
v. LBJs popularity drops; 60% disapprove his handling of the war
How did the Tet offensive affect Johnsons popularity?
2. Days of Loss and Rage
a. Johnson Withdraws
i. Senator Eugene McCarthy runs for Democratic nomination as dove
ii. Senator Robert Kennedy enters race after LBJs poor showing in NH
iii. LBJ announces will seek peace talks, will not run for reelection
b. Violence and Protest Grip the Nation
i. Riots rock over 100 cities after Martin Luther King, Jr. is killed
ii. Kennedy wins CA primary; is fatally shot for supporting Israel
iii. Major demonstrations on over 100 college campuses
Name two events that shocked Americans in 1968.
3. A Turbulent Race for President
a. Turmoil in Chicago
i. Vice-president Hubert Humphrey wins Democratic nomination
ii. Over 10,000 demonstrators go to Chicago
iii. Mayor Richard J. Daley mobilizes police, National Guard
iv. Protesters try to march to convention; police beat them; rioting
v. Delegates to convention bitterly debate antiwar plank
b. Nixon Triumphs
i. Nixon works for party for years, wins 1968 Republican nomination
ii. Campaign promises: restore law and order, end war in Vietnam
iii. Governor George Wallace is third-party candidate

iv. Champions segregation, states rights; attracts protest-weary whites

v. Nixon wins presidency
Name two reasons that protesters came to Chicago for the Democratic convention.
Break it down: Identify two effects of the Tet offensive, and explain how the effects resulted from the
offensive.