Download Vietnam War - Fulton Independent School

Name _____________________________ Class _________________ Date __________________
The Vietnam War
Section 1
MAIN IDEA
Concern about the spread of communism led the United States to become
increasingly involved in Vietnam.
Key Terms and People
Ho Chi Minh leader of the drive for Vietnamese independence; leader of North Vietnam
Vietminh Vietnamese group that resisted the Japanese occupation in World War II
domino theory theory that if one Southeast Asian country fell to communism, others
would follow
Dien Bien Phu site of France’s last stand to keep Vietnam a French colony
Geneva Conference conference to work out a peace agreement for Indochina
Ngo Dinh Diem corrupt and brutal South Vietnamese leader
Vietcong military forces in South Vietnam who united to overthrow Diem
Tonkin Gulf Resolution resolution that enabled President Johnson to use “all necessary
measures to repel any armed attack”
Section Summary
COLONIAL VIETNAM
Vietnam came under Chinese control in about 200
BC. The Vietnamese struggled against the Chinese
until they won independence in the 1400s. Then in the
1800s the French took over Vietnam. After World
War I their leader, who came to be known as Ho Chi
Minh, tried unsuccessfully to get President Wilson to
apply his Fourteen Points to Southeast Asia. In World
War II, the Japanese controlled Vietnam. The
Vietnamese resistance fighters were called the
Vietminh. Many were Communists. They claimed
independence.
Who ruled Vietnam from
about 200 BC to the AD
1400s?
_______________________
Who took control of
Vietnam during World War
II?
_______________________
VIETNAM AFTER WORLD WAR II
After World War II France, with U.S. support, took
back control of Vietnam. The Vietnamese fought
back. President Eisenhower believed in the domino
theory. This theory said that if one Southeast Asian
nation fell to communism, others would follow.
Despite massive U.S. aid, the French lost. Their last
stand occurred at Dien Bien Phu.
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The Vietnam War
Section 1
A peace agreement was reached at the Geneva
Conference. This called for a temporary division of
Vietnam into north and south. Free elections were
supposed to take place in 1956. The north, led by Ho
Chi Minh, was Communist. Communist countries
were the only ones who would help him fight for
independence.
GROWING CONFLICT IN VIETNAM
South Vietnam was ruled by Ngo Dinh Diem. He was
corrupt and brutal. He persecuted Buddhists. His
government helped the wealthy landowners and not
the poor farmers. He knew the people would vote for
Ho Chi Minh in the 1956 election, so Diem refused to
allow an election. The Communist leaders of North
Vietnam sent supplies to rebels in the south. The
Vietminh in South Vietnam formed the Vietcong to
fight Diem. Most of the Vietcong were Communists.
Soldiers from North Vietnam slipped into South
Vietnam to help fight Diem. President Eisenhower
decided to send military advisers and special forces.
INCREASING U.S. INVOLVEMENT
President Kennedy sent more advisers and special
forces. By 1963 nearly 500 Americans had been killed
in Vietnam. Then Diem was murdered and the South
Vietnamese government came close to falling. By
March 1964 the Vietcong controlled about 40 percent
of South Vietnam. President Johnson wanted to act
but needed Congress’s support. He presented
inaccurate evidence that a U.S. ship had been fired on
without having fired first. Congress approved the
Tonkin Gulf Resolution. This enabled the president
to take “all necessary measures to repel any armed
attack” on U.S. forces. It was as if the president was
given the power to make war without declaring war.
At the time of the Geneva
Conference, which part of
Vietnam was Communist?
_______________________
Why were the South
Vietnamese unhappy under
Diem?
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Why do you think President
Johnson presented
inaccurate evidence to
Congress?
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
CHALLENGE ACTIVITY
Critical Thinking: Draw Conclusions Review the system of checks and
balances of the U.S. government. Write a paragraph explaining why
Congress has the power to declare war, while the president has the power
to wage war.
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The Vietnam War
Section 2
MAIN IDEA
As the United States sent increasing numbers of troops to defend South
Vietnam, some Americans began to question the war.
Key Terms and People
Operation Rolling Thunder bombing campaign in North Vietnam in 1965
Ho Chi Minh Trail network of paths and tunnels that began in North Vietnam and ended
in South Vietnam
William Westmoreland commander of U.S. ground troops in South Vietnam
pacification U.S. policy aimed at winning the support of the South Vietnamese people
doves people who opposed the war
hawks people who supported the war
J. William Fulbright head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who criticized the
war openly
Section Summary
THE AIR WAR
In March 1965 President Johnson ordered Operation
Rolling Thunder. This was a bombing campaign in
North Vietnam. U.S. forces bombed military targets
and also bridges, roads, railways, and power plants.
To clear the jungle, U.S. planes sprayed it with Agent
Orange, a chemical that caused plants to drop their
leaves. It caused disease and disability in humans.
Napalm, or jellied gasoline, was used to make
firebombs. Pilots also did carpet bombings. These
were strings of bombs dropped from high altitude to
destroy large areas with no specific target. The
Vietcong continued moving soldiers and supplies
along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a network of paths and
tunnels that led from North Vietnam into South
Vietnam.
THE GROUND WAR
By 1967 there were 486,000 American troops in
Vietnam. They were commanded by General William
Westmoreland. Westmoreland ordered thousands of
search-and-destroy missions. In these, ground troops
would locate the enemy and then call in air strikes to
Why was the Ho Chi Minh
Trail important?
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Circle the number of U.S.
troops in Vietnam by 1967.
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The Vietnam War
Section 2
destroy it. The United States then began the policy of
pacification. If a village was close to the Vietcong,
the Americans moved the villagers to secure camps.
U.S. FORCES MOBILIZE
More than 2.5 million Americans served in the
Vietnam War. The United States used the draft to get
enough soldiers. Men who went to college could put
off their military service. This meant young men from
higher-income families were less likely to be drafted.
In 1969 the government began to use a lottery for the
draft. In 1973 the draft was ended. About 10,000
women also served in the war.
PUBLIC OPINION SHIFTS
Television coverage brought the Vietnam War into
people’s living rooms. President Johnson was
criticized by doves. These were people opposed to the
war. Hawks were in favor of the war. However, many
criticized the way the war was fought. Senator
J. William Fulbright was head of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee. He criticized the war. There
was a large antiwar movement. Some people said the
majority of the Vietnamese did not want the war. One
of the most vocal antiwar groups was the Students for
a Democratic Society. They led the first national
antiwar demonstration.
Why did fewer young men
from higher-income
families fight in the war?
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
What were people who
criticized Johnson called?
_______________________
Who led the first national
antiwar demonstration?
_______________________
_______________________
CHALLENGE ACTIVITY
Critical Thinking: Evaluate If you lived during the Vietnam War, would
you have been a hawk or a dove? Would your position on the war have led
you to join a movement? a political party? Write three paragraphs telling
what you would have done as a citizen during the Vietnam War.
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The Vietnam War
Section 3
MAIN IDEA
As the Vietnam War dragged on and increasingly appeared to be unwinnable,
deep divisions developed in American society.
Key Terms and People
Tet Offensive a series of massive, coordinated attacks by the Vietcong across South
Vietnam
Robert S. McNamara secretary of defense for both Presidents Kennedy and Johnson
Eugene McCarthy candidate for Democratic presidential nomination in 1968
Hubert Humphrey Democratic nominee for president in 1968
George Wallace independent candidate for president in 1968
Section Summary
THE TET OFFENSIVE
The Tet Offensive was a series of massive
coordinated attacks by the Vietcong throughout South
Vietnam. It occurred in 1968. It surprised U.S.
commanders. They had noticed more activity on the
Ho Chi Minh Trail. However, they thought it was
related to a major battle at Khe Sanh. Instead, it led to
attacks on 12 U.S. bases and over 100 cities. The
North Vietnamese hoped the offensive would inspire
the South Vietnamese to rise up against their
government. It did not.
EFFECTS OF THE TET OFFENSIVE
With the Tet Offensive Americans gave up the idea
that the United States was winning the war. Even
Walter Cronkite, the anchor of CBS Evening News,
changed his mind. President Johnson then knew that
people would listen to Cronkite and public opinion
would turn against the war. Public criticism of the war
grew. By 1968 roughly 3 out of 4 Americans were
against Johnson’s Vietnam policies. Robert S.
McNamara, secretary of defense for both Kennedy
and Johnson, began looking for ways to make peace.
Why did the Tet Offensive
surprise the Americans?
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Why could Americans no
longer believe that they
were winning the war?
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
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The Vietnam War
Section 3
JOHNSON SEEKS A SOLUTION
General Westmoreland wanted more troops in
Vietnam. Johnson’s advisers could not agree on a
strategy. Some thought that North Vietnam should be
invaded. Others thought that was too extreme. In
March 1968 Johnson declared that he would seek a
peace agreement. In that same speech he announced
that he would not run for president again. Peace talks
began in Paris, but the two sides could not agree.
THE ELECTION OF 1968
Early in the 1968 election campaign, Senator Eugene
McCarthy challenged President Johnson for the
Democratic presidential nomination. So did Robert
Kennedy, senator from New York. When Johnson
withdrew from the race, his vice president, Hubert
Humphrey, also entered the race. He was linked to
policies supporting the war. McCarthy and Kennedy
were against the war. The war was a key issue.
Kennedy was the Democratic favorite, but after
winning the California primary he was assassinated.
When the Democratic Party held its convention in
Chicago that August, many antiwar protesters came to
demonstrate. Chicago mayor Richard Daley used
police and the National Guard to maintain order. The
situation exploded into violence. Humphrey was
nominated.
The protests showed that there was a divide
between young people and their parents, a “generation
gap.” Young people accused the older generation of
valuing money and comfort ahead of justice. Older
Americans urged them to trust the government to do
best. The Democratic Party was deeply divided.
The Republicans nominated Richard Nixon for
president. George Wallace ran as the candidate of the
American Independent Party. Wallace had gained
national attention by opposing civil rights. With the
Democrats divided, Nixon won.
Why do you think President
Johnson’s advisers could
not agree on a strategy to
win the war?
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Underline the names of the
presidential challengers
who were against the war.
Circle the one who was not.
Who started out as the
Democrats’ favorite?
_______________________
What is a generation gap?
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
CHALLENGE ACTIVITY
Critical Thinking: Elaborate The riots at the Democratic convention led
to the trial of the Chicago Seven. Write a report that explains who the
Chicago Seven were and why they were prosecuted.
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Interactive Reader and Study Guide
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The Vietnam War
Section 4
MAIN IDEA
President Nixon eventually ended U.S. involvement in Vietnam, but the war had
lasting effects on the United States and in Southeast Asia.
Key Terms and People
Henry Kissinger President Nixon’s national security adviser
Vietnamization policy of turning over the fighting to the South Vietnamese
silent majority people who disapproved of the protesters and generally supported the war
My Lai massacre the killing of at least 450 civilians by U.S. soldiers in Vietnam
Pentagon Papers secret documents that revealed that the government had been
misleading the American people
George McGovern Democratic nominee for president in 1972; opposed the war
Twenty-sixth Amendment amendment reducing the voting age from 21 to 18
Khmer Rouge brutal Communist group that controlled Cambodia for four years
War Powers Act U.S. law limiting the president’s war-making abilities
Section Summary
WIDENING THE WAR
President Nixon’s national security adviser, Henry
Kissinger, began secret peace talks with the North
Vietnamese. Nixon also started Vietnamization. This
policy turned the fighting over to the South
Vietnamese. Nixon began withdrawing U.S. forces.
Nixon believed he had the backing of the silent
majority. These were people who disapproved of
antiwar protesters and supported the war. Nixon also
secretly expanded the war. He ordered the bombing of
Cambodia and sent U.S. troops into Cambodia and
Laos to destroy North Vietnamese army bases. He
also started bombing North Vietnam.
Circle the name of Nixon’s
national security adviser.
Underline the ways Nixon
expanded the war.
INCREASING PROTESTS
As the war dragged on, antiwar protests got bigger. At
Kent State University, four students were shot by the
National Guard. Two more were killed at Jackson
State College. People on hundreds of college
campuses went on strike. Trade unionists, veterans,
and the clergy helped the movement. Meanwhile, in
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The Vietnam War
Section 4
Vietnam, the My Lai massacre occurred in 1968 but
was hushed up. American soldiers shot at least 450
women, children, and elderly men while on a searchand-destroy mission. When the public found out, it
further weakened support of the war. By late 1969
more than half of Americans were against the war. In
1971 the New York Times published the Pentagon
Papers. These secret documents showed that the
government had been misleading the American people
for years about the success of the war.
END OF U.S. INVOLVEMENT
In the presidential election of 1972, Nixon’s
Democratic challenger was Senator George
McGovern. He was openly and strongly against the
war. Many of his supporters were young people,
especially since the ratification of the Twenty-sixth
Amendment. It lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.
A week before the election, Kissinger announced
“Peace is at hand,” and Nixon won the election by a
landslide. In January 1973 the peace deal was signed.
THE LEGACY OF VIETNAM
In 1975 North Vietnam conquered South Vietnam and
set up a Communist government. That same year
Communist forces called the Khmer Rouge took over
Cambodia. They killed 1.5 million people. Vietnam
invaded Cambodia in 1979 to get rid of the Khmer
Rouge and stayed until 1989. The Vietnam War killed
over 1.5 million Vietnamese. It devastated the
environment. About 58,000 Americans were killed
and about 300,000 wounded, many seriously. The war
cost $150 billion. It caused many Americans to
mistrust their government. Congress passed the War
Powers Act in 1973. The act limits the president’s
ability to make war.
Why were the Pentagon
Papers important to
American democracy?
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
What was McGovern’s
position about Vietnam?
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
What were the results of
the Vietnam War for the
Vietnamese? Did America
win the war?
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
CHALLENGE ACTIVITY
Critical Thinking: Cause and Effect The U.S. government spent $150
billion on the Vietnam War. Do some research to find out about the
American economy and what effect the war spending had.
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