BELLRINGER
Which generalization can most accurately be drawn from a
study of Supreme Court cases Plessy v. Ferguson and Brown v.
Board of Education?
a. The Supreme Court has issued consistent decisions in cases
involving rights of the accused.
b. Supreme Court decisions are accepted without public
controversy.
c. The Justices believe that social issues are best left for state
courts to decide.
d. The Supreme Court has helped to determine public policy.
LEARNING TARGET
U9T10 – I can describe how the Cold War created tensions within the Western
Hemisphere (Cuba, Latin America)
U9T11 - I can explain the reasons behind the American entrance into the
Vietnam War.
U9T12 – I can describe the major military events that occurred during the
Vietnam War (Vietnamization, Mai Lai Massacre, Cambodian invasion, etc)
U9T13- I can compare/contrast the motivation behind and strategies for protest
during the Vietnam War
U9T14- I can discuss the importance of the media during the Vietnam War
U9T15 – I can explain American withdrawal from Vietnam.
BACKGROUND INFO
Cuba
 Fidel Castro was in power in Cuba and promised to restore
people’s rights and freedoms
 Once in power, he seized private businesses and made offers
to Soviet Union
Vietnam
 The French loses control of Vietnam and Vietnam is spread
into two sections (like Korea)
 North Vietnam is Communist and South is not
 Fear that it might spread lead to SEATO (Southeast Asia
Treaty Organization)
KENNEDY AND THE COLD WAR

Kennedy also followed the Cold War policies of his
predecessors. He continued the nuclear arms
buildup begun by Eisenhower. He continued to
follow Truman’s practice of containment.

New Strategy: Flexible Response - Strengthening
American forces so the nation would have
options other than nuclear weapons in times
of crisis
THE BAY OF PIGS INVASION

Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba in 1959 after a two year guerrilla war
against Fulgencia Batista, the U.S. backed dictator of Cuba. As Castro’s
followers increased in number, his tactics grew bolder. When his rebel force
marched on Havana, Cuba’s capital city, Batista fled the country. On
January 9, 1959 Castro entered Havana and declared victory.

During his revolt, Castro gained support of many Cubans by promising to
restore people’s rights and freedoms. Once in power, however, he followed
a more radical course. His government seized private businesses, including
American companies on the island of Cuba.

In addition, Castro began making anti-American speeches. U.S.-Cuban
relations were further strained when the Soviet Union allied with Cuba in
February 1960. Eisenhower responded by cutting diplomatic ties with Cuba.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
A.
Speak out against Castro, but refuse to get involved
militarily.
B.
Begin a direct U.S. military campaign against Castro.
C.
Pursue a public relations campaign in Cuba in support of
positive U.S.-Cuban relations.
D.
Train Cuban exiles to invade the island of Cuba in attempt
to overthrow Castro.
WHAT REALLY HAPPENED:
BAY OF PIGS INVASION
Kennedy
• Kennedy learned that the CIA was training troops to invade Cuba
and topple Castro.
• Kennedy was worried about Communism spreading to Latin America.
• Kennedy gave the go-ahead.
The Invasion
• Bay of Pigs invasion failed.
• Information was leaked early.
• Air strikes failed.
• Castro prepared for a land attack.
• Invaders were captured and ransomed back to United States.
• Strengthened Castro’s ties to the Soviet Union
BERLIN WALL
Berlin had long been a problem for the Soviet Union. The
western half of the city was an island of freedom
surrounded by East Germany. In the first half alone, about
200,000 East Germans escaped Communism by slipping
past guards to the safety of West Berlin. It was a concern
that East Germany might use force to gain control of West
Berlin. All agreed that Khrushchev was using Berlin to test
America’s will in Europe.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO
A.
Send military troops to dismantle the wall and open lines
between West Berlin and East Germany.
B.
Do not get involved militarily, based on the policy of
containment.
C.
Send 1,500 troops from West Germany to West Berlin.
D.
Begin training East Germans to revolt against
Khrushchev.
WHAT REALLY HAPPENED:
BERLIN WALL CRISIS
Berlin’s Significance
Khrushchev demanded that the United States recognize East Germany as
an independent Communist nation.
West Berlin was an island of freedom.
Many East Germans fled to West Germany through Berlin.
The Berlin Wall
On August 13, 1961, Khrushchev closed the crossing points between East
and West Berlin.
A high concrete wall was built to prevent further escapes to freedom.
Kennedy sent more troops, and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson
visited West Berlin.
Kennedy said “A wall is a … lot better than a war.”
CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS
U.S. actions in the Bay of Pigs and Berlin Crisis encouraged hard-line leaders in the Soviet Union.
They pushed Khrushchev to be more aggressive.
Khrushchev decided to upgrade Cuba’s defenses with aircraft missiles (SAMs) and continued to
pump aid into Cuba. The Soviets pointed out that these were defensive weapons because of U.S.
nuclear missiles placed in Turkey. Kennedy responded by ordering U-2 spy-plane flights over the
island. On August 29, 1962 one of the flights detected the SAMs. The Soviets’ warned that a U.S.
attack on Cuba would mean war.
Kennedy assembled a group of advisors known as the Ex Comm to help him decide on a response.
On October 22 Kennedy went on television to tell Americans about the Soviet threat. As the world
nervously watched and waited, several Soviet ships carrying missile parts continued toward Cuba.
Khrushchev warned that trying to stop them would mean war. For several days in October 1962 the
United States teetered on the brink of nuclear war as Kennedy sought a peaceful resolution to the
Cuban Missile Crisis.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
A. Institute a naval blockade around Cuba.
B. Launch an air strike against missile sites.
C. Invade Cuba with U.S. ground troops.
D. Protest, but stay out of the conflict since it has very little
violence involved
WHAT REALLY HAPPENED:
CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS
• Kennedy assembled a group of advisors, known as the ExComm, to help him plan
a response. Ex Comm military members favored an air strike, perhaps followed by
a land invasion of Cuba. Others argued for a naval blockade.
• Kennedy agreed with the naval blockade.
• Khrushchev agreed to dismantle the missiles if the United States pledged to
never invade Cuba.
• Both Kennedy and Khrushchev took steps to ease tensions between their
countries.
• The Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed, ending atmospheric and
underwater testing of nuclear weapons.
VIETNAM WAR GRAPH
Use the data here to plot US military advisers and troop involvement on
your bargraph
1959 – 800
1960 – 1,000
1961 – 3,100
1962 – 11,000
1963 – 16,000
1964 – 23,000
1965 – 190,000
1966 – 390,000
1967 – 490,000
1968 – 540,000
1969 – 480,000
1970 – 325,000
1971 – 160,000
1972 – 25,000
1973 - 50
When was the U.S. most involved in the Vietnam War?
Which happened faster: escalation or withdrawal of troops?
600000
500000
400000
300000
Series1
200000
100000
0
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
KOREAN WAR V. VIETNAM WAR MAP ACTIVITY
Complete the map activity labeled 9F
 You will need 2 different colored markers or
pencils and an atlas book
 During this individual activity I will also be calling
up rows to complete the timeline on your handout
9E using the info and pictures around the room.
For each year on your timeline, you must write:
 Event and description
 Significance- why is it important (summarize!)

THE ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT

Follow along with the lyrics as I play each song.

In your groups, discuss the lyrics to help you
determine the grievances held by the anti-war
movement.
THE ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT

"In view of developments since we entered the fighting in Vietnam, do you think the
U.S. made a mistake sending troops to fight in Vietnam?" -- % saying No (Gallup)
ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT: CREDIBILITY GAP

Prompted by Tet Offensive (1968)
and mounting casualties – the war
would be much longer than
originally thought.

Pentagon Papers (1971) revealed a
long history of misleading the
public

Reactions
 Americans began questioning
information coming from the
gov’t and their promises of an
impending end to the war
ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT: TV WAR

View news clips
Reaction?
ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT: THE DRAFT



30,000/month drafted
Deferment process created criticism
-- average age 19, more likely poor,
working-class, minority
Reactions
 Burning of draft cards, fleeing
the country, protests at draft
induction centers
 “Whitey’s War” – drain on
resources and focus needed for
domestic issues
ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT: MY LAI




Charlie Company had suffered
several casualties at the hands of
the VC
Entered the village of My Lai on a
“search and destroy” mission
300 unarmed men, women, and
children were killed
Reaction
 Once became public, raised
serious questions about
leadership, morale, and
discipline in military
ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT: CAMBODIA

Despite promises of
Vietnamization, Nixon
sent troops into
Cambodia

Response



Protests occurred on over
400 campuses
4 died and 16 were
wounded in protests at
Kent State University
30 ROTC buildings set on
fire
RESPONSES TO THE ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT

Loss of American credibility

Encourage communist revolution
elsewhere

Can’t leave after so much loss of
American life

Turned off by “extreme” anti-war
activists

Shouldn’t abandon president
during time of national crisis

Anti-war message emboldened
the enemy and disheartened
soldiers