Vietnam: Part I
A Chronology of Events
The War in Southeast Asia
Background
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America’s most unpopular war
America’s longest and most expensive
war
The best technical war money could buy
America hardly ever lost a tactical battle
A war America did not win
The War in Southeast Asia
Background
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Often called the Vietnam War
Americans flew from bases in Thailand,
Laos, Guam and South Vietnam
Troops from Thailand, Australia, New
Zealand, South Korea and Philippines
fought with the US and South Vietnam
China and the Soviet Union heavily
supported North Vietnam
The War in Southeast Asia
General Causes
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A regional power vacuum existed in
Southeast after WW II
South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia were
politically unstable
North Vietnam wanted to reunite North
and South Vietnam under communist rule
America wanted to prevent the spread of
communism, by force if necessary
The French Era –
1940 to 1954
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Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia were originally a
French colony -- 19th century
Japanese occupied SEA at start of WW II
• Opposed by guerrilla force led by Ho Chi Minh
• US backed Ho Chi Minh’s efforts to oust Japan
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At end of WW II, Ho declared Vietnam an
independent nation
Allies ignored Ho and divided Vietnam at the 16th
parallel -- Potsdam Conference
The War in Southeast Asia
The French Era (Cont)
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French returned to fill power vacuum after WW II-US supports French, but not happy
Fighting between France and Vietminh began in
1946
France was defeated at Dien Bien Phu by
General Vo Nguyen Giap -- 7 May 1954
• Requested US air support -- nuclear if necessary -didn’t get it
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France withdrew from Indochina--for good
Geneva Accords - July 1954
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Officially ended France-Vietminh struggle
US and South Vietnam didn’t sign Accords
Divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel
• Separated by a demilitarized zone (DMZ)
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Partition was to be temporary
• Elections were planned in 1956 -- didn’t occur
• President Diem (South Vietnam) feared Ho Chi
Minh of North Vietnam would win
Southeast Asia Treaty
Organization (SEATO)
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Initiated by the US in Sept 1954 to prevent
spread of communism -- “Domino Theory”
Member nations were: US, Great Britain,
France, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand
Philippines, and Pakistan
Didn’t require participants to support each
other with military force
Politically justified US actions in S Vietnam
US Involvement 1955 to 1964
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US reluctantly moved to fill power vacuum
• April 1955--US agrees to advise S Vietnam
• Green Berets arrive Oct 1959 -- to train only
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1959 -- North Vietnam increased actions to
unify North and South
• US increased action to prevent a North victory
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Aug ‘64 -- N Vietnamese gunboats attack 2
US destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution -Aug
‘64
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Passed by Congress 5 Aug 1964
• Radically altered the War in Southeast Asia
• Empowered President Johnson to:
“To take all necessary steps to repel armed
attack against US forces”
“To take all necessary steps, including
force, to assist S Vietnam and any member
of SEATO”
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Committed US to fight for S Vietnam
US Build-up -- 1965 to 1968
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March 1965 -- US Marine and Army arrive
• “Rolling Thunder”bombing campaign begun
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By 1969, US troop strength reached
543,000 (500,000 supported the war from
other Asian countries and Pacific bases)
US became heavily involved in fighting a
guerrilla war-- they were not prepared
30 Jan ‘68 -- North launched Tet Offensive
Tet Offensive of 1968
The Beginning of the End
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North attacked 12 US bases and Embassy
Objective -- Shatter the South’s army and cause
a civilian revolt -- Neither happened
A tactical failure -- a huge strategic success
• American confidence in war effort plummeted
• Opposition to the war increased significantly
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After Tet, US objective was to get out, quickly
and gracefully
Vietnamization
The US Withdrawal
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Nov 1968 -Nixon elected on promise to
end the war in Southeast Asia
Nixon’s Vietnamization program was to
return the war to the South Vietnamese
• US to provide advice, training and material
• Returned US and S Vietnam to pre-1965 roles
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US forces began withdrawing in June 1969
• US morale dropped / winning no longer a goal
Events Surrounding the
Paris Peace Talks
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Talks began in ‘68 but achieved nothing
• North Vietnam knew time was on their side
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US units continued to withdraw
• By 1972, 200,000 US troops had left Vietnam
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March ‘72-- North launched its “Easter
Offensive” against South Vietnam
• Attack repelled by US air power (Linebacker I)
Events Surrounding the Paris
Peace Talks (Cont)
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Talks resumed following the Easter
Offensive --again little movement
Late 1972, Nixon ordered massive bombing
of North Vietnam (Linebacker II)
Linebacker II forced the North to negotiate
in earnest
Peace Accords signed 27 Jan 1973
• Called for US to withdraw all units by Mar ‘73
The Fall of South Vietnam
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Between ‘73 and ‘75, North continued to build
strength in violation of Peace Accords
Nixon preoccupied with Watergate
US Congress tired of Vietnam and refused to help
Feb ‘75, North launched the Ho Chi Minh
campaign against the South
• South easily defeated without US air support
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Laos and Cambodia fell quickly thereafter
The War in Southeast Asia
Costs to the US
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58,135 Americans killed, 153,000
wounded, 2500 missing in action
$141 billion spent
6.3 million tons of bombs dropped (12
times more than Korea, 2 times more than
WW II)
2,257 aircraft lost ($3.1 billion value)
5.2 million combat sorties flown
The War in Southeast
Asia Results
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US reluctance to enter military conflicts that don’t
directly threaten national interests
Congressional restriction on President’s ability to
commit US military forces
Lessened public opinion of the government and
the military
The all-volunteer military force
Increased emphasis on military resources,
training and weapons