GCSE History Reacons to US involvement in Vietnam Summary Opposion to the Vietnam war in the USA emerged in the 1960s. It grew due to TV coverage of the conflict and the growing number of US casuales (58,000 US soldiers lost their lives in Vietnam). Many young men resisted ‘The Draſt’ which called them up for war. Rallies and protest marches against the war took place and government reacon to these protests culminated in the Kent State University shoongs in 1970. During this protest four young American protest- ers were shot dead. This opposion to the war meant that President Johnson did not stand for re-elecon in 1968 and the newly elected president, Richard Nixon, promised to bring peace. However, a sig- nificant number of American people DID support the Vietnam War, Nixon termed this group ‘The Silent Majority.’ Key Figures Muhammed Ali American heavyweight boxing champion who refused The Draſt in 1966. He was arrested and stripped of his boxing tles. LBJ—President Johnson Cricised for his handling of the Vietnam war including US tac- cs and his abandonment of the Great Society iniave. Lieutenant Calley Found guilty of murder aſter his platoon wiped out the village of My Lai in 1968 (347 people tortured and killed). Sentenced to 20 years hard labour, he served only 3. Le Duc Tho Negoated a peace agreement with Henry Kissinger. Refused to accept the Nobel Peace Prize “my country is not at peace.” Henry Kissin- ger Respected and well known journalist who reported from Sai- gon during the Tet Offensive. He was shocked by the apparent success of the Vietcong. 1960 Vietcong created TIMELINE OF THE VIETNAM WAR 1954 French defeat and Vietnam split in two 1973 Cease- fire. US troops leave 1961 Kennedy sends 16000 US advisers to Vietnam 1965 First US troops arrive. Bombing of N. Vietnam begins 1968 The Tet Offen- sive, military defeat for the Vietcong 1969 Nixon begins Viet- namizaon 1975 S Vietnam de- feated. The Republic of Vietnam created US Taccs Vietcong Taccs Bombing raids (Operaon Rolling Thunder) began in 1965 and lasted unl 1968. Agent Orange was sprayed across the jungle to remove leaves and expose the Vietcong. Bombs also contained napalm, pe- troleum jelly that burned at a high temperature. Search and Destroy raids dropped troops by helicopter to search villages for Vietcong and burn their houses and food. Guerrilla warfare was preferred. Hit and run aacks and ambushes were used. Booby traps like the spike trap pit were used. The Vietcong lived in tunnels underground and blended in with local villagers. They also offered to help with the farmers to win ‘hearts and minds’ in the south. The Ho Chi Minh trail provided weapons, ammunion, food and medical supplies.
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Summary
Opposition to the Vietnam war in the USA emerged in the 1960s. It
grew due to TV coverage of the conflict and the growing number of
US casualties (58,000 US soldiers lost their lives in Vietnam). Many
young men resisted ‘The Draft’ which called them up for war. Rallies
and protest marches against the war took place and government
reaction to these protests culminated in the Kent State University
shootings in 1970. During this protest four young American protest-
ers were shot dead. This opposition to the war meant that President
Johnson did not stand for re-election in 1968 and the newly elected
president, Richard Nixon, promised to bring peace. However, a sig-
nificant number of American people DID support the Vietnam War,
Nixon termed this group ‘The Silent Majority.’
Key Figures
Muhammed
Ali
American heavyweight boxing champion who refused The Draft in
1966. He was arrested and stripped of his boxing titles.
LBJ—President
Johnson
Criticised for his handling of the Vietnam war including US tac-
tics and his abandonment of the Great Society iniative.
Lieutenant
Calley
Found guilty of murder after his platoon wiped out the village
of My Lai in 1968 (347 people tortured and killed). Sentenced
to 20 years hard labour, he served only 3.
Le Duc Tho Negotiated a peace agreement with Henry Kissinger. Refused
to accept the Nobel Peace Prize “my country is not at peace.”
Henry Kissin-
ger
Respected and well known journalist who reported from Sai-
gon during the Tet Offensive. He was shocked by the apparent