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The Growth of Vietnamese Nationalism
Many political parties wanted independence of French colonial rule. Ho Chi Minh helped found the Indochinese Communist Party in 1930, working for independence. He fled and returned in 1941 where Japan had taken control of the country. He then organized a nationalist group by the name of Vietminh, trying to unite communist and non-communists to expel the Japanese. The United States then sent aid to the Vietminh. The category for this to fall under would be political. -
A Bloody Stalemate — “Search and destroy"
More than 180,000 U.S. troops were fighting in Vietnam. Vietcong used many ambushes, booby traps, and other tactics against Americans. The Vietcong blended in with the general population to surprise attack the American troops. American troops countered these attacks by bombing their positions, getting them out in the open, and destroying their supply lines. Even though they had huge losses, they had no intention to surrender. The category for this to fall under would be military. -
The Antiwar Movement Emerges- Teach-ins Begin
As the war went on public support began to dwindle down. Many had a hard time believing what the Johnson administration said about this war. In February 1966, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee called in policy makers to discuss military strategies. A teach-in started in 1965, discussing the many issues surrounding the war. Many opposed the war with different reasons The category for this to fall under would be economic and political. -
Nixon Wins the Presidency
The presidential election of Richard Nixon and George Wallace of Alabama who both ran. Wallace attracted the American people who were threatened by the civil rights movement, while Nixon’s campaign promised to unify the nation. He stated he had a secret plan to bring peace to Vietnam. Nixon won by a percentage of 43 to 42. The category for this to fall under would be political -
The War’s Human Toll
America paid heavy prices for the investment in Vietnam with 58,000 Americans dead and 300,000 injured. Around 1 million North and South Vietnamese soldiers died. The category for this to fall under would be economic and political. -
The War’s Impact on the Nation
This war left a huge mark on national politics. Congress passed the War Powers Act in 1973 to establish limits on executive power. This act made presidents inform Congress of commitment of troops abroad and to withdraw them unless Congress approved. This war shook the nations confidence, Vietnam made the Americans feel that the nations leaders had misled them. The category for this to fall under would be political.