Vietnam
How did the Vietnam war start?
It was divided at the 17th parallel originally, separated between North communist dictatorship and South democratic land. The north invaded the south, and because Kennady agreed with the domino theory, he sent some U.S advisors into south to help support south Vietnamese. (Kennady didn’t want to fight yet)
What is the domino theory?
Eisenhower theory referring to the spread of communism. Stated that if one country fell to communism, countries surrounding it would also fall, as dominos fell if one was pushed!
Who were the “hawks” and “doves”?
Hawks: people who believed the war was a Soviet backed communist aggression against south Vietnam, with the ultimate goal to take over the rest of southeast asia
Doves: Viewed the conflict in Vietnam as a civil war
What is The credibility gap?
Misinformation from military and civilian leaders combined with Johnson’s reluctance to speak frankly to the American people about the scope and costs of the war
president is lying about the progress of the war
Explain the gulf of Tonkin. The incident and what resulted from it.
North Vietnamese ships shot down two U.S battleships in the gulf of Tonkin. As a result, the gulf of Tonkin resolution came arise, giving the president power to excessive whatever powers necessary to protect the U.S means interests in the region. Johnsons also used this as justification for military in this area
What was the Nixon doctrine?
Declaring future allies that they would receive U.S support but without the extensive use of ground forces
Did the Americans support the war in Vietnam?
No. Not at all. Americans began protesting and tons of anti war protests were happening
Pentagon papers
Papers leaked showing how Americans were deceived by the government as they weren’t honest about how much money and forces the U.S has in Vietnam and how many losses we were taking. Symbolized a lost of trust in government
How did Johnson fight this war?
Sent in more and more soldiers, applying more and more pressure. Number of Americans in Vietnamese kept rising and rising. A lot of Americans were also being drafted. This war was also not officially declared by congress.
War powers act
Required the president to inform congress within 48 hours after taking military action
Paris accords
Promised a ceasefire and free elections
P.s didn’t actually work and south Vietnam eventually fell to the communists which led into Cambodia falling as well, resulting in a genocide
,Tet offensive
Turning point of the war, surprise attack of north Vietnam on American bases in the south, caused Johnson’s ability to continue the escalation to stop.
result: America counterattacked which had even heavier consequences on north Vietnam (Vietcong)
johnson after this wanted even MORE soldiers, but his administration finally said no, so Johnson’s ended the escalation of sending more soldiers
Operation rolling thunder
B-52 bombers used on North Vietnam targets
What was Nixon‘s way of fighting the war?
Vietnamization: slowing pulling American military aid out of the south, making the south fight their own war