Revise for GCSE Humanities: Defeat in Vietnam
Causes
Vietnam split into communist North and US supported South.
South Vietnamese peasants supported the communist NLF (National Liberation Front).
The NLF was supplied with weapons by North Vietnam, China and the USSR.
Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy supported the Domino Theory, if one country in SE Asia
went communist, they all would. They sent military advisers to assist the South Vietnamese
government, even though it was corrupt and undemocratic.
JFK stepped up US involvement after Cuba.
1964 South Vietnamese government in serious danger of defeat.
Instead of “Advisers” LBJ sent combat troops.
LBJ persuaded Congress to back the war after the “Tonkin Incident”.
The attack on the two US destroyers by North Vietnamese gunboats was not actually
an “unprovoked act of war”, as claimed by LBJ, because they were aiding South
Vietnamese forces in an attack on North Vietnam.
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Revise for GCSE Humanities: Defeat in Vietnam
Key Features
By the end of 1968 30,000 US dead and 100,000 wounded.
By 1971, 543,000 US soldiers were in Vietnam.
US technologically superior, but unable to win.
The US could not win, because it could not identify the enemy.
The Viet Cong (VC) were supplied by the Ho Chi Minh Trail, of secret jungle tracks.
The VC had extensive underground tunnels, stores and command posts.
Villagers sided with the Viet Cong, because they had the same aims as the villagers.
The Americans failed to win the “hearts and minds” of the Vietnamese peasants.
US Search and Destroy missions and attempts to relocate villagers failed.
Heavy high altitude bombing to destroy the jungle supply routes failed.
Use of Agent Orange and Napalm failed.
The US Army was not able to fight a guerrilla war in the jungle.
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Revise for GCSE Humanities: Defeat in Vietnam
Opposition
1964 poll shows that 85% of Americans were in favour of the war.
It was the first TV war. Casualties and TV coverage led to criticism.
Oct. 1967, 350,000 anti-war demonstrators march in Washington DC.
“Hey, Hey, LBJ, how many kids did you kill today?”
November 1969, 250,000 stage anti-war demonstration.
US deeply divided, with the young particularly anti-war. Many burnt their Draft
Cards, refusing to fight. Anti-war demonstrations on university campuses.
International public opinion turned against the USA.
May 1970 explosion of protest on campuses as Nixon extended the war to Cambodia.
Kent State University, 4 students killed by National Guardsmen during anti-war protest.
Student strikes across US. Two more students shot by Police.
Muhammad Ali refused to fight in “white man’s war” and ML King said money should have
been spent on urban poverty. Total of $141 million spent on the war.
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Revise for GCSE Humanities: Defeat in Vietnam
Read the full Revision Notes
Defeat
Why:
US did not win the “hearts and minds” of the South Vietnamese.
US could not fight against an enemy fighting a guerrilla war.
Vietcong victories, like the Tet Offensive.
International criticism of the loss of life.
Criticism at home of the casualties and the cost.
How:
1968 Richard Nixon elected as President. Promised “peace with honour”.
January 1973 peace agreement signed and a ceasefire established.
Vietnamization, US military hands over responsibility to South Vietnamese.
1975 North Vietnamese launch a massive invasion of the South, who were quickly
defeated.
When you have finished, move on to the page. Pause Now!
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Revise for GCSE Humanities: Defeat in Vietnam
Results
US deeply affected by defeat.
Found it hard to accept their only military defeat ever.
59,156 died in war, 1,992 missing in action.
Huge cost to Vietnam. International criticism.
Vietnam Vets badly treated by many people.
USA’s last attempt to contain communism by force.
1972 War Powers Act compels President to justify sending soldiers to a war within 30 days.
Congress to approve any further military action.
Wrecked the political career of LB Johnson and derailed the “Great Society”.
Money spent on Vietnam was not spent on poverty in the USA or given in international aid.
Deepened racial divisions. Contributed to urban riots and support for Black Power.
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