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As far back as 1954, after the country of Vietnam had fought for its independence from France, the country had been experencing a politcal/power struggle. The country was split into half; the northern half of Vietnam wanted to be a Communist country and the souther half wanted no part of it. Communism was seen as the root of all evil by Americans, so the government kept a close eye on the developing situation.
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During the Kennedy and part of the Johnson administration, the United Staes support South Vietnam, but only econimically. There were American bases in South Vietnam, but the troops stationed there were not active in the fighting. There were about 17,000 Americans there before the U.S. got involved.
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President Kennedy was assassinated on Friday, November 22nd, 1963 in Dallas Texas. He was shot by sniper Lee Harvey Oswald with his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy next to him in a moving car. He left behind two children and a wife; vice-president Lyndon B. Johnson took office soon after.
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In 1964, President Johnson relased a statement saying that North Vietnam had attacked one of the U.S. bases stationed in South Vietnam. Few days later, the president declared war on North Vietnam and the U.S. enters the Vietnam War.
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Malcolm Little, or commanly know as Malcolm X, was assassinated by 2 Nation of Islam brothers in New York while deliverying a speech. He was targeted after leaving the Nation. His body had 21 bullets in it from a double-barreled sawed-offed shot gun.
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By the end of 1965:
- TIV: 184,300
- KIA: 1,363
- WIA: 7,645 -
A common American war tactic was air strikes/raids. Sound familiar? If so, then you should recall that similiar tactics were usedduring WW2
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By the end of 1967:
- KIV: 485,600
- KIA: 1,602
- WIA: 99,762 -
Martin Luther King, Jr., a prominate Civil Rights leader, was assassinated on a hotel balcony in Memphis, Tenneesee. He was assassinated by sniper James Earl Ray who is still serving time in prison for the murder.
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Richard Nixon becomes president after Johnson refuses another term; and gains a 2nd term in 1972.
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By the end of 1968:
-TIV: 536,100
- KIA: 30,160
- WIA: 192,850 -
To divert attention away from the troubles of the war, sex, drugs, and music provided that gate-way. The Woodstock music festival, one of the greatest musical concerts in American history, was held in White Lake, New York. The festival was a 3 day getway from the troubles of the world.
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By the end of 1969:
- TIV: 475,200
- KIA: 40,024
- WIA: 262, 796 -
Many young college students were outraged by the war; many help protest to speak out against the war. Some protests even turned violent, such as the the student killed by National Guardsmen in Ohio at Kent State (4).
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After 15 years of battle, the longest war in American history was finally over. Vietnam would become the only war ever lostby the U.S. President Nixon signed the treaty.
