Warm-Up Expansion of the Vietnam War - Edgenuity Inc.

[Pages:14]Warm-Up Expansion of the Vietnam War

A Looming War

Fighting started in the

France .

1950s

when Vietnam won its independence from

Vietnam Divided

? North Vietnam created a

communist

government. ? South Vietnam

created a

republic .

Viet Cong Attacked

US Supported South Vietnam

? Viet Cong

communists tried to overthrow South Vietnam's government.

? President

Eisenhower

sent military aid to

South Vietnam .

The Domino Theory

According to the domino theory, if one country becomes

communist ,

then its neighbors also are likely to fall to communism.

W2K

Words to Know

Fill in this table as you work through the lesson. You may also use the glossary to

help you.

draft

a system that requires people to serve in the military

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Warm-Up Expansion of the Vietnam War

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to: ? Examine the reasons for increased US

military

involvement in

Vietnam. ? Describe the

challenges

facing American soldiers

fighting the war in Vietnam.

? Analyze the effects of the Tet Offensive on the course of the war.

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Instruction Expansion of the Vietnam War

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Lesson What challenges did the United States face as it entered

Question the Vietnam War?

Slide

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The Viet Cong Gain the Upper Hand

By 1961 , the Viet Cong seemed to be winning the war in South

Vietnam.

? President Kennedy sent more money, weapons, and military advisers to help South Vietnam .

The situation grew worse.

? South Vietnam's leader was

generals .

overthrown

by his own

Lyndon B. Johnson (1908?1973)

? Became president following Kennedy's

? Was born in Stonewall, Texas

assassination

? Served as a representative and senator in Congress

? Was known for his

social programs

and his role in the

Vietnam War

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Johnson's Dilemma

Johnson faced a tough decision about Vietnam.

Should the United States...

...get more involved?

...avoid more involvement?

? Without more help from US troops, ? Going to war in Vietnam would be

South Vietnam was likely

expensive and controversial.

to fall.

? Losing Vietnam to communism

would hurt Johnson politically.

? A war also could harm his

ability to promote his

social programs at

home.

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The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

In 1964, US Navy ships were allegedly attacked by

North Vietnam in the Gulf of Tonkin.

Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in response.

? Authorized the president to take any actions he felt necessary to deal

with threats to US forces or allies in Southeast Asia

North Vietnam

Laos

China

Gulf of Tonkin

Cambodia

South Vietnam

Rolling Thunder

LBJ used his new authority to increase US military involvement in Vietnam. The United States began bombing North Vietnam in 1965 in an operation called Rolling Thunder . The bombing was not enough to turn the tide of the war.

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More US Troops

US leaders felt they had to send troops to fight the Viet Cong.

? The major buildup began in 1965 .

? By 1968 , more than 500,000 US troops were in Vietnam.

War was never formally declared .

6,00,000

US Troops in Vietnam

5,00,000

4,00,000

3,00,000

2,00,000

1,00,000

0 1964

1965

1966

1967

1968

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The Draft

All men aged 18 to 25 had to register for the draft.

? The draft is a system that requires people to serve in the military.

From 1965 to 1973, about 1.7 million US men were drafted.

Many college students avoided the draft through deferments.

Those Who Fought

The majority of Americans who served in Vietnam

volunteered .

Most infantry soldiers were drafted.

? The average age of infantry soldiers was 1.9

? Most were working class .

? About 13 percent were African American.

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A Determined Enemy

The main opponents of the US forces were the Viet Cong and units of the

NVA , or the North Vietnamese Army.

? Supplied by North Vietnam, China , and the USSR

? Often disguised as civilians

? Willing to take heavy losses and fight a long war

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Guerrilla Warfare

The Viet Cong often used guerrilla warfare tactics against US forces.

? Building hidden camps

? Usually fighting in small groups

? Moving constantly

? Hiding in jungles

? Ambushing US troops

American Tactics: Search & Destroy

The Americans tried to counter guerrilla tactics in several ways.

? Using helicopters to move quickly ? Sending special patrols to find and attack the Viet Cong ? Bombing supply lines ? Spreading Agent Orange to kill jungle cover

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