Analyze the ways in which the Vietnam War heightened social, political, and economic tensions - PowerPoint Presentation

Analyze the ways in which the Vietnam War heightened social, political, and economic tensions in the United States. Focus your answer on the period 1964-1975.

French Indochina War France attempted to reestablish rule in Vietnam after World War II. 1950: U.S. supported France’s battle against the communist-led Vietminh Ho Chi Minh had declared N.V. an independent nation in 1945 (against Japan) Truman sent $15 million to France

1954: Geneva Accords Vietminh took control of French outpost at Dien Bien Phu . French surrendered in May 1954 Treaty in July 1954 temporarily divided Vietnam along the 17 th parallel

North Vietnam: Vietminh Capital: Hanoi Leader: Ho Chi Minh Broke up land, redistribute to peasants South Vietnam Capital: SaigonLeader: Ngo Dinh Diem Strong anti-communist

1954: Domino Theory Eisenhower explained the domino theory Countries on the brink of communism are like a row of dominoes waiting to fall one after the other

1957: National Liberation Front Communist opposition group in the South, the Vietcong , that attacked the Diem government. Ho Chi Minh supported the group, started supplying weapons along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

1963: JFK “In the final analysis, it is their war. They are the ones who have to win it or lose it. We can help them, we can give them equipment, we can send our men out there as advisers, but they have to win it, the people of Vietnam, against the Communists. . . . But I don't agree with those who say we should withdraw. That would be a great mistake .”

1963: Overthrow of Diem 163,000 U.S. military in S.V. November 1, 1963. S.V. government overthrown and Diem was assassinated after he refused to resign.

Social Political Economic

1964: Gulf of Tonkin Resolution: Declaration of War Two U.S. ships were attacked by N.V. Johnson got Congress to approve airstrikes against N.V. bases Johnson used sustained bombing campaigns. Election of 1964: cautious political moves Social Political Economic

1965General William Westmoreland: War of Attrition Didn’t feel confident the S.V. army (ARVN) was capable on their own of fighting off Vietcong. Requested more troops 1967: 500,000 troops ATTRITION: Wear down the enemy- resources and morale Search and destroy Guerrilla tactics: Hit and run Anyone could be the enemyCity and countryLived among the S.V. population

Intentional Deceit Johnson tried to control the news media (body count, military tactics and spending) Moral Justification? Freedom and Democracy? $21 billion per year World War II/Korea: 2.6 million bomb tonnage Vietnam: 8 million tons Chemical Warfare from 1965 -1971 17.6 million gallons of Agent Orange

1968: Tet Offensive Tet: celebration of the New Year (January 30) V.Cong had organized a massive amount of weapons along the Ho Chi Minh Trail under the cover of supplies for celebration. Simultaneous, coordinated attack throughout S.V. 100 towns Killed 5 Americans at U.S. embassy in Continued for one month Guerilla warfare defies conventional military logic

Nixon promised to restore law and order and to end the war in Vietnam.

Make Love, Not War “Culture of Life” Hippies Baby boomers Largest generation in U.S. history Best educated Critique of American society

1960:The New Left Youth movement and campus activism demanded sweeping changes Vietnam war was a civil war, U.S. should not be there S.V. regime was worse than N.V. communist government U.S. was not global police Students for a Democratic Society Called for greater participation in democracy and individual freedom Free Speech Movement, 1964UC BerkeleyCriticized U.S. powerful business and government institutions

1970 Rally of 1,000 students at Kent State U in Ohio 4 students killed by the National Guard Nixon "This should remind us allonce again that when dissent turns to violence it invites tragedy.”

1964: LBJ’s War On Poverty "We shall not rest until that war is won, …the richest nation on Earth can afford to win it. We cannot afford to lose it .“ Economic Opportunity Act (Poverty Bill) 19% Americans were poor Lack of education and trainingLack of medical careLack of housing

1972:The Great Inflation Stock market loses 40% in 18 month period Interest rates up to 20% Hard to buy cars and homes I n 1970 the average income per year was $9,350.00 and by 1979 was $17,550.00 In 1970 a gallon of gas was 36 cents and by 1979 was 86 cents In 1970 the average cost of new car was $3,900.00 and by 1979 was $5,770.00

1973:Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries Ban Arab oil embargo in response to U.S. support of Israel in the October War, the Arab members of OPEC launched an oil embargo , essentially banning exports to AmericaDomestic oil production had peaked at a little less than 10 million barrels in 1970 before declining sharplyU.S. became increasingly dependent on suppliers in the oil-rich states of the Middle East. O il prices in the U.S. quadrupled. Price controls led to long lines for gas

1973: Peace with Honor January 1973, an agreement was reached, and President Nixon ordered an end to all U.S. offensive actions against North Vietnam.

1973: War Powers Act A president must inform Congress within 48 hours of sending forces into a hostile area without declaration of war. Troops may remain there no longer than 90 days unless Congress approves the president’s actions or declares war.

Analyze the ways in which the Vietnam War heightened social, political, and economic tensions in the United States. Focus your answer on the period 1964-1975.