The Vietnam War

1
The Vietnam War

• By Yash Kamani, Erin Hardy, and Bella Felisberto

2
Opposing sides in the War

• The opposing sides in the war were the supporters
  of communism, North Vietnam, against the
  supporters of democracy, South Vietnam.
• Communism- System of social organization where
  everyone is equal and no single person or group
  of people rules others.
• Democracy- System of government where leaders are
  elected by the people.

3
For Communism

• China- The People's Republic of China, which was
  mainland China, fought alongside North Vietnam in
  the war, supporting Communism.
• U.S.S.R.- The U.S.S.R, which is now Russia, also
  fought in favor of communism. They were involved
  in combat as well.

4
For Democracy

• United States- In the Vietnam war, the United
  States fought against communism. We were very
  involved in combat.
• Australia- The Vietnam war was actually the
  longest period of conflict for Australia and they
  sent in 60,000 troops over all to help fight in
  support for democracy.
• New Zealand- New Zealand came to a final decision
  to involve themselves in the Vietnam war and
  stand for democracy even though it caused some
  controversy at home.

5
For Democracy

• South Korea- South Korea was another nation who
  supported democracy and joined into the battle in
  favor of it.
• Thailand- Thailand was a close ally of the United
  States and fought with them against communism.
• Philippines- The Philippines were involved in
  combat while fighting for democracy. There were
  many U.S. airbases in the Philippines.

6
Battles

• Some of the major battles that occurred in the
  Vietnam war

7
Battles

• The battles of the war really took a toll on the
  troops fighting in them.
• They were gruesome and many troops died.
• In total, 9,087,000 soldiers were sent to fight
  in the Vietnam war.
• It is estimated that over one million people died
  in the war.
• The United States lost 58,000 of their troops.
  They even lost 8 nurses, who were aiding the
  soldiers.
• The Vietnam war was surely no cold war.

8
Statistics

• 58,148 soldiers died in Vietnam.
• The average age of these soldiers was 23.11 years
• The oldest man killed was 62
• Youngest was only 16
• 9,000 Vietnam Veterans have committed suicide
  after returning due to trauma from the war
• 79 of the troops had a high school degree (most
  educated group of solders to that date)
• Only 85 of Vietnam Veterans made a successful
  transition to regular life.

9
Timeline
1963- American backed Vietnamese forces opened
fire on South Vietnamese demonstrators that were
demonstrating for religious freedom.  Nine people
were killed.
1964- Lyndon Johnson is Elected for an official
term as President
1965- First US troops are deployed to Danang.
They are Marines
1965- First Conventional battle of the war. US
troops clash with N. Vietnam at Ia Drang Valley
1965- Operation Rolling Thunder begins, USA
officially involved in the war. Sustained Bombing
of North Vietnam starts.
June 11th, 1963- Thich Quang Due, a sixty-six
year old monk, set himself on fire in Saigon in
protest to the oppression of the Diem
administration, as seen below.  Diem's response
to this action was "Let them burn, and we shall
clap our hands."
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Timeline Continued
1973- Official Cease Fire is put in place.
Although US troops had been out for the most part
since 1971. War is now officially at cease fire
for all parties involved
1967- Operation Cedar Falls begins joint
operation between S. Vietnam and USA. 30,000
total troops in operation
1968 March- My Lai Massacre. US troops massacre
whole village in Communist town. America is
outraged
1966- South Vietnam government takes Hue and
Danang
1969- Nixon Comes to Power, starts secretly
bombing Cambodia to get rid of Communist
Supplies. Peace talks begin. Troop withdrawal
begins
1966- President Johnson Meets with South Vietnam
leaders. Gives support to them but also warns
them that US will be monitoring to make sure they
spread Democracy and fair economics
1968 February- Battle for Hue starts. 26 day
battle. US/ S. Vietnam win
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Reactions to the War

• Initially there was not that big of an anti war
  movement not as much involvement by US
• When Johnson started actively bombing in 1965,
  big anti-war movement started
• US Government official position was that they
  were involved due to a request from S. Korea
• Also claimed to want to stop growth of communism

12
Reactions to The War continued

• Two sides formed in America
• Known as Hawks and Doves
• Hawks- wanted USA to use full force and end war
  quickly
• Doves- thought it was immoral for USA to get
  involved in what was basically a civil war
• Called for immediate withdrawal or gradual
  withdrawal of troops

13
Protests

• There were many demonstrations all around the
  country
• Began mainly on college campuses (Members of SDS)
• In 1967, when 500,000 US troops were in Vietnam
  widespread protests started
• Protests were big and small many times
  demonstrators were arrested.
• Showed how the war split the country
• The draft also caused protests, 40,000 troops
  were being drafted each month
• Draftees protested many times as well

14
Lincoln Memorial Protest

• October 21, 1967
• Most prominent anti war demonstration
• 100,000 demonstrators marched at the Lincoln
  Memorial
• 30,000 of them went to the Pentagon later that
  night
• Clashed with Marshalls and soldiers at the
  Pentagon
• Hundreds arrested
• Book "Armies of the Night" chronicled the event.

Demonstrators at the Lincoln Memorial
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Sources

• http//www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war-protests
  
• http//vietnamwar3.tripod.com/id1.html
• http//www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/vietnam/causes.ht
  m Protests
• http//www.nps.gov/vive/
• http//www.english.illinois.edu/maps/vietnam/timel
  ine.htm
• http//www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/
• http//www.essortment.com/all/vietnamwarprot_rlcz.
  htm
• http//www.vhfcn.org/stat.html