4. Provided college forProvided college for
returning World War IIreturning World War II
veterans (commonlyveterans (commonly
referred to as GIsreferred to as GIs))
THE G.I. BILLTHE G.I. BILL
Millions of GIs bought homes,Millions of GIs bought homes,
attended college, startedattended college, started
business venture, or foundbusiness venture, or found
jobs.jobs.
Provided one year ofProvided one year of
unemploymentunemployment
compensationcompensation
5. THE G.I. BILLTHE G.I. BILL VA MortgagesVA Mortgages
paid for nearly 5paid for nearly 5
million newmillion new
homes, byhomes, by
making homesmaking homes
affordable withaffordable with
low interestlow interest
rates and 30rates and 30
yearyear loans.loans.
Between 1945 and 1954,Between 1945 and 1954,
the U.S. added 13 millionthe U.S. added 13 million
new homes to its housingnew homes to its housing
stockstock
President Franklin Roosevelt signs the GI Bill in 1944President Franklin Roosevelt signs the GI Bill in 1944
6. Truman and civil rightsTruman and civil rights
One of the major actsOne of the major acts
mademade
by Truman was whenby Truman was when
he made an executivehe made an executive
orderorder
to end segregation into end segregation in
the armed forcesthe armed forces
One of the major actsOne of the major acts
mademade
by Truman was whenby Truman was when
he made an executivehe made an executive
orderorder
to end segregation into end segregation in
the armed forcesthe armed forces
Truman also askedTruman also asked
Congress to pass a civilCongress to pass a civil
rights bill that wouldrights bill that would
make lynching amake lynching a
federal crimefederal crime
Truman also askedTruman also asked
Congress to pass a civilCongress to pass a civil
rights bill that wouldrights bill that would
make lynching amake lynching a
federal crimefederal crime
7. ELECTION of 1948ELECTION of 1948
Thomas DeweyHarry S Truman Strom Thurmond
Many people didn’tMany people didn’t
think he would be re-think he would be re-
electedelected
Many people didn’tMany people didn’t
think he would be re-think he would be re-
electedelected
Truman angered manyTruman angered many
Southern Democrats bySouthern Democrats by
supporting integrationsupporting integration
People were so sure thatPeople were so sure that
Truman would lose that oneTruman would lose that one
headline even incorrectlyheadline even incorrectly
said that Dewey had wonsaid that Dewey had won
People were so sure thatPeople were so sure that
Truman would lose that oneTruman would lose that one
headline even incorrectlyheadline even incorrectly
said that Dewey had wonsaid that Dewey had won
Historians view theHistorians view the
Election of 1948 as theElection of 1948 as the
greatest election upset ingreatest election upset in
U.S. history.U.S. history.
8. THE COLD WAR
United States
Democracy
The era of confrontation and competition between
the U.S. and the Soviet Union when the threat of
nuclear war created constant world tension
vs.
Soviet Union
Communism
9. Differing PhilosophiesDiffering Philosophies
• Believed in democratic forms ofBelieved in democratic forms of
governmentgovernment
• Believed economic stability wouldBelieved economic stability would
keep peace in the wordkeep peace in the word
• Believed the free enterprise systemBelieved the free enterprise system
was necessary for economic growthwas necessary for economic growth
• Believed in a communistic formsBelieved in a communistic forms
of governmentof government
• Believed in workers revoltingBelieved in workers revolting
(striking) against business owners(striking) against business owners
and taking control of governmentand taking control of government
• Wanted to control countriesWanted to control countries
between Russia and Germanybetween Russia and Germany
10. SovietsSoviets
take overtake over
EasternEastern
EuropeEuropeSoviet troops move into Germany near the end of World War II
As World War II ended,As World War II ended,
the Soviet army occupiedthe Soviet army occupied
the countries of Easternthe countries of Eastern
Europe that Germany hadEurope that Germany had
conquered during the warconquered during the war
11. The Iron CurtainThe Iron Curtain
““AnAn iron curtainiron curtain has descended across thehas descended across the
Continent”Continent”
– Prime Minister Winston Churchill
Poland,Poland,
Romania,Romania,
Czechoslovakia,Czechoslovakia,
HungaryHungary
Bulgaria andBulgaria and
East GermanyEast Germany
became satellitebecame satellite
nations ofnations of
Soviet UnionSoviet Union
12. Peep under the
Iron curtain
March 6, 1946
• Who is “Joe”?
• What part of
Europe is sealed
off?
• What does the
wall symbolize?
13. Letter from U.S. diplomatLetter from U.S. diplomat
George Kennan that led toGeorge Kennan that led to
the U.S. policy ofthe U.S. policy of
containment ofcontainment of
communism.communism.
Kennan said the Russians were concernedKennan said the Russians were concerned
about invasions from the west and wanted aabout invasions from the west and wanted a
buffer zonebuffer zone
Russians wanted to spread communism
world-wide
U.S. should use diplomatic, economic andU.S. should use diplomatic, economic and
military actions to keep communismmilitary actions to keep communism
14. Truman DoctrineTruman DoctrineU.S. foreign policy established by President Truman saying
the U.S. would protect democracies throughout the world
““It must be the policy ofIt must be the policy of
the United States tothe United States to
support free peoplessupport free peoples
who are resistingwho are resisting
attempted subjugationattempted subjugation
by armed minorities orby armed minorities or
outside pressures”outside pressures”
---- Harry TrumanHarry Truman
15. It pledged that the United States
would fight Communism worldwide
Truman Doctrine was
an extension to the
U.S. foreign policy set
forth in the Monroe
Doctrine (1823) and
the Roosevelt
Corollary (1904)
Truman DoctrineTruman Doctrine
American tanks provided by the Truman Doctrine roll through TurkeyAmerican tanks provided by the Truman Doctrine roll through Turkey
16. Secretary of StateSecretary of State
George MarshallGeorge Marshall
toured Westerntoured Western
Europe; witnessedEurope; witnessed
widespreadwidespread
homelessness andhomelessness and
famine.famine.
Aid for EuropeAid for EuropeChildren in a London suburb, waiting outside the wreckage of what was their home
Fearing EuropeansFearing Europeans
would turn towould turn to
communism as ancommunism as an
answer to theiranswer to their
economic problems,economic problems,
Marshall proposedMarshall proposed
the U.S. help tothe U.S. help to
rebuild Europe,rebuild Europe,
leading to…leading to…
Fearing EuropeansFearing Europeans
would turn towould turn to
communism as ancommunism as an
answer to theiranswer to their
economic problems,economic problems,
Marshall proposedMarshall proposed
the U.S. help tothe U.S. help to
rebuild Europe,rebuild Europe,
leading to…leading to…
17. MarshallMarshall
PlanPlan
U.S. plan for rebuilding
Western Europe, and repelling
communism after World War II
Plan made U.S. heroes to
people of Western Europe.
Plan pumped
billions of dollars
into Western
Europe for food
and supplies
George C. Marshall
18. Marshall Plan aids Western Europe
The Marshall Plan proved to be a great successThe Marshall Plan proved to be a great success
Within 4 years, countries receiving aid
saw a 41% higher industrial production
than on the eve of World War II
Countries were stabilized and exports
were rising rapidly
Countries receiving aid under Marshall Plan
19. Eastern EuropeanEastern European
countries were offeredcountries were offered
to take part in theto take part in the
Marshall Plan…Marshall Plan…
…… but Stalin and otherbut Stalin and other
East European leadersEast European leaders
refused financial helprefused financial help
from the United Statesfrom the United States
What is this cartoonWhat is this cartoon
trying to say?trying to say?
20. The Potsdam Conference
The Potsdam Conference was a meeting of the Allied leaders
during World War II to decide what to do with Germany
21. Germany
Divided
Occupation zones
after 1945. Berlin is
the multinational area
within the Soviet zone.
After World War II,
Germany was divided
into four zones,
occupied by French,
British, American,
and Soviet troops.
British
French
American
Soviet
22. In June of 1948, theIn June of 1948, the
French, British andFrench, British and
American zones wereAmerican zones were
joined into the nation ofjoined into the nation of
West Germany after theWest Germany after the
Soviets refused to endSoviets refused to end
their occupation oftheir occupation of
Germany.Germany.
East and WestEast and West
GermanyGermany
formedformed
West
German
y
East
German
y
West Berlin
East Berlin
23. In response, the Soviets
cut off West Berlin
from the rest of the
world with a blockade.
(video – 1:46)
Eventual site of the Berlin Wall
24. Berlin AirliftBerlin Airlift
President TrumanPresident Truman
decided to avoiddecided to avoid
the blockade bythe blockade by
flying in food andflying in food and
other supplies toother supplies to
the needy people ofthe needy people of
West BerlinWest Berlin
At times, overAt times, over
5,000 tons of5,000 tons of
supplies arrivedsupplies arrived
25. Berlin AirliftBerlin Airlift
The Berlin Airlift savedThe Berlin Airlift saved
the people of West Berlinthe people of West Berlin
from falling underfrom falling under
Soviet Union controlSoviet Union control
The airlift continued forThe airlift continued for
11 months before Stalin11 months before Stalin
finally lifted the blockadefinally lifted the blockade
Soviet blockade of West
Germany convinced many
Americans that the
Soviets were trying to
conquer other nations
26. Birth of NATOBirth of NATO
North Atlantic Treaty OrganizationNorth Atlantic Treaty Organization
Formed in 1949 to protectFormed in 1949 to protect
Western Europe from SovietWestern Europe from Soviet
27. The Warsaw PactThe Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Pact was the Soviet Union’sThe Warsaw Pact was the Soviet Union’s
response to the creation of the North Atlanticresponse to the creation of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization
Poland,Poland,
Romania,Romania,
Czechoslovakia,Czechoslovakia,
HungaryHungary
Bulgaria andBulgaria and
East GermanyEast Germany
becamebecame
satellite nationssatellite nations
of Soviet Unionof Soviet Union
30. Cold War spreads toCold War spreads to
AsiaAsia Communists takeCommunists take
over in Chinaover in China
Mao Zedong takesMao Zedong takes
control of Chinesecontrol of Chinese
government fromgovernment from
Chang Kai-shek’sChang Kai-shek’s
Nationalist PartyNationalist Party
Half the world now appeared to be underHalf the world now appeared to be under
Communist controlCommunist control
The country of Korea became the nextThe country of Korea became the next
battleground in the Cold Warbattleground in the Cold War
China Korea
31. The Korean WarThe Korean War
Following World War II,
the Allies divided Korea at
the 38th
parallel
Soviets controlled North
Korea; U.S. sets up a
democracy in South Korea
Both governments claimed
to control all of Korea
The Cold War gets HOTThe Cold War gets HOT
32. The Korean WarThe Korean War
Syngman RheeSyngman Rhee
Kim Il-SungKim Il-Sung
““Domino Theory”Domino Theory”
Leader ofLeader of
North KoreaNorth Korea
A “Police Action” (1950-1953)A “Police Action” (1950-1953)
President ofPresident of
South KoreaSouth Korea
If one country falls to communism,If one country falls to communism,
others around it will fall as wellothers around it will fall as well
33. The Korean WarThe Korean War
On June 25, 1950,
North Korea invades
South Korea
Communist forces
push UN forces to
brink of defeat
UN forces under
Macarthur come to
the aid of South Korea
The Cold War gets HOTThe Cold War gets HOT
UN forces push North
Koreans back to
border of China
34. The Korean WarThe Korean War
China enters the warChina enters the war
North Koreans pushedNorth Koreans pushed
back to border with Chinaback to border with China
Chinese enter war on theChinese enter war on the
side of North Koreansside of North Koreans
MacarthurMacarthur
calls for ancalls for an
invasion ofinvasion of
China, wantsChina, wants
to use theto use the
atomic bombatomic bomb
Macarthur criticized TrumanMacarthur criticized Truman
for wanting a “limited war”for wanting a “limited war”
An artillery officer directs UN troops as they
drop white phosphorous on a Communist-held
post in February 1951.
35. The Korean WarThe Korean War
War ends in aWar ends in a
stalematestalemate
Korean War marked an importantKorean War marked an important
turning point in the Cold Warturning point in the Cold War
An armistice wasAn armistice was
signed ending thesigned ending the
war in July 1953war in July 1953
U.S. began a major militaryU.S. began a major military
build-up; began using militarybuild-up; began using military
force to prevent spread offorce to prevent spread of
Korea was dividedKorea was divided
at the 38at the 38thth
parallelparallel
36. A New Red ScareA New Red Scare
U.S. citizens in 1950s feared
Communists wanted to take
over the world. This fear was
known as the Red Scare.
Spies like Julius and
Ethel Rosenberg and
Alger Hiss caused fear
that our government
was infiltrated by the
Communists
37. House Un-American Activities CommitteeHouse Un-American Activities Committee
A New Red ScareA New Red Scare
Committee set up to investigateCommittee set up to investigate
Communist activities in the U.S.Communist activities in the U.S.
““Are you now orAre you now or
have you ever beenhave you ever been
a Communist?”a Communist?”
HUAC searched for Soviet spiesHUAC searched for Soviet spies
and Communist sympathizers.and Communist sympathizers.
House Un-American Committee meeting in 1948
38. The Hollywood TenThe Hollywood Ten
Movie stars Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart lead a
protest during height of Hollywood Blacklist controversy
People who were accused of beingPeople who were accused of being
Communists were often “blacklisted”Communists were often “blacklisted”
A group of Hollywood actors whoA group of Hollywood actors who
were blacklisted for refusing towere blacklisted for refusing to
answer HUAC questions becameanswer HUAC questions became
known as the “Hollywood Ten”known as the “Hollywood Ten”
If someone wasIf someone was
blacklisted, it meantblacklisted, it meant
they were deniedthey were denied
work or ostracizedwork or ostracized
from societyfrom society
39. McCarthyismMcCarthyism
In 1952, U.S. Senator
Joe McCarthy began
holding Senate hearings
McCarthy turned the hearings
into witch-hunts, destroying
numerous people’s reputations
on rumor and weak evidence
Numerous Americans
accused of having ties
to the Communist Party
40. U-2 IncidentU-2 Incident
Col. Francis GaryCol. Francis Gary
Powers’ spy plane wasPowers’ spy plane was
shot down over Sovietshot down over Soviet
airspace in 1960airspace in 1960
Incident cools Soviet-U.S. relationsIncident cools Soviet-U.S. relations
41. Russians launch SputnikRussians launch Sputnik
The Russians have beaten America intoThe Russians have beaten America into
space—they have the technological edge!space—they have the technological edge!
42. Russians launch SputnikRussians launch Sputnik
Impact of SputnikImpact of Sputnik
Congress establishesCongress establishes
thethe NationalNational
Aeronautics andAeronautics and
Space AgencySpace Agency
(NASA)(NASA) to conductto conduct
research in rocketresearch in rocket
and space technologyand space technology
Congress also passed theCongress also passed the NationalNational
Defense Education Act,Defense Education Act, whichwhich
provided money for education andprovided money for education and
training in science, math andtraining in science, math and
foreign languagesforeign languages
43. The Space Race BeginsThe Space Race Begins
In 1961, Russian cosmonaut YuriIn 1961, Russian cosmonaut Yuri
Gagarin blasted off into space,Gagarin blasted off into space,
making the Soviet Union the firstmaking the Soviet Union the first
nation to launch a human into orbitnation to launch a human into orbit
Kennedy said heKennedy said he
wanted U.S. to land awanted U.S. to land a
man on the moon byman on the moon by
the end of the 1960sthe end of the 1960s
44. Kennedy’s challenge wasKennedy’s challenge was
met on July 20, 1969,met on July 20, 1969,
when Neil Armstrongwhen Neil Armstrong
became the first human tobecame the first human to
step foot on the moonstep foot on the moon
““That’s one small step for man,That’s one small step for man,
one giant leap for mankind.” –one giant leap for mankind.” –
Neil ArmstrongNeil Armstrong
The Space Race BeginsThe Space Race Begins
45. Berlin Wall BuiltBerlin Wall BuiltSoviets wanted to keepSoviets wanted to keep
Germans from movingGermans from moving
out of East Germanyout of East Germany
into West Berlin,into West Berlin,
where they couldwhere they could
become freebecome free
Berlin Wall became theBerlin Wall became the
symbol of Communistsymbol of Communist
oppression around theoppression around the
worldworld
46. Ich bin ein Berliner!Ich bin ein Berliner!
(1963)(1963)
President KennedyPresident Kennedy
tells Berlinerstells Berliners
that the West isthat the West is
with them!with them!
48. Bay of Pigs DebacleBay of Pigs Debacle
CIA-trained Cuban
exiles led an attack
at the Bay of Pigs in
Cuba in an attempt
to overthrow Castro
Invasion was a
disaster and failed;
was a huge foreign
policy blunder for
the United States
(1961)(1961)
49. Cuban Missile CrisisCuban Missile Crisis
U.S. and Russia cameU.S. and Russia came
extremely close toextremely close to
nuclear war whennuclear war when
Russians place nuclearRussians place nuclear
missiles in Cuba inmissiles in Cuba in
November of 1962November of 1962
In response to U.S.In response to U.S.
missiles in Turkey, themissiles in Turkey, the
Russians began buildingRussians began building
missile bases in Cubamissile bases in Cuba
50. Cuban Missile CrisisCuban Missile Crisis
United States places anUnited States places an
embargo on incomingembargo on incoming
shipments to Cubashipments to Cuba fromfrom
the Soviet Union, U.S.the Soviet Union, U.S.
goes to DEFCON-3goes to DEFCON-3
Soviet ships reach theSoviet ships reach the
quarantine line, butquarantine line, but
receive radio ordersreceive radio orders
from Moscow to holdfrom Moscow to hold
their positionstheir positions
51. Cuban Missile CrisisCuban Missile Crisis
The RussiansThe Russians
agreed to take theiragreed to take their
missiles out of Cubamissiles out of Cuba
if the U.S. removedif the U.S. removed
theirs from Turkeytheirs from Turkey
Kennedy threatens a U.S.Kennedy threatens a U.S.
invasion of Cuba unlessinvasion of Cuba unless
Soviet missiles are removed;Soviet missiles are removed;
U.S. moves to DEFCON-2U.S. moves to DEFCON-2
President John F. Kennedy thinking in the Oval
Office during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962
55. Key figures in the Vietnam WarKey figures in the Vietnam War
Ho Chi MinhHo Chi Minh William WestmorelandWilliam Westmoreland Lyndon B. JohnsonLyndon B. Johnson
American commanderAmerican commander
in South Vietnam whoin South Vietnam who
told people in thetold people in the
media that the Unitedmedia that the United
States was close toStates was close to
winning the war, evenwinning the war, even
though it wasn’tthough it wasn’t
President of NorthPresident of North
Vietnam who led theVietnam who led the
efforts to defeatefforts to defeat
South Vietnam andSouth Vietnam and
support of the Southsupport of the South
VietnameseVietnamese
VietcongVietcong
President of the UnitedPresident of the United
States who was presidentStates who was president
during much of Vietnamduring much of Vietnam
War; greatly escalatedWar; greatly escalated
the U.S. soldierthe U.S. soldier
involvement in theinvolvement in the
conflictconflict
56. Key figures in the Vietnam WarKey figures in the Vietnam War
Robert McNamaraRobert McNamara Richard NixonRichard Nixon Ngo Dinh DiemNgo Dinh Diem
U.S. Secretary ofU.S. Secretary of
Defense during theDefense during the
Vietnam War who madeVietnam War who made
the American republicthe American republic
feel like we werefeel like we were
winning the warwinning the war
President of SouthPresident of South
Vietnam who whoseVietnam who whose
corruption and harshcorruption and harsh
standards ledstandards led
numerous people tonumerous people to
turn to the Vietcongturn to the Vietcong
President of thePresident of the
United States duringUnited States during
the latter part of thethe latter part of the
Vietnam WarVietnam War
57. Vietnam in the ’50sVietnam in the ’50s
Southeast Asia (aka: French Indochina)Southeast Asia (aka: French Indochina)
Following World War II, theFollowing World War II, the
French controlled southeastFrench controlled southeast
Asia (known as Indochina)Asia (known as Indochina)
Ho Chi Minh led a revoltHo Chi Minh led a revolt
against the French to gainagainst the French to gain
independence for Vietnamindependence for Vietnam
By 1954, the French fell to theBy 1954, the French fell to the
Vietminh and they withdrewVietminh and they withdrew
from Indochina, leavingfrom Indochina, leaving
Vietnam a divided countryVietnam a divided country
58. Domino TheoryDomino Theory
The Domino Theory was the belief that ifThe Domino Theory was the belief that if
one country fell to communism, the otherone country fell to communism, the other
Southeast Asian nations would eventuallySoutheast Asian nations would eventually
fall to communism as wellfall to communism as well
59. This map from an American
magazine published 14th
November 1950 shows how
much they feared the
spread of Communism in
the Far East.
60. South Vietnam problemsSouth Vietnam problems
A Buddhist monk commits suicide in protest to theA Buddhist monk commits suicide in protest to the
harsh policies of the S. Vietnamese governmentharsh policies of the S. Vietnamese government
The people of South Vietnam hatedThe people of South Vietnam hated
South Vietnamese president Ngo DinhSouth Vietnamese president Ngo Dinh
Diem. He was corrupt and did notDiem. He was corrupt and did not
govern in the best interest of the citizens.govern in the best interest of the citizens.
Diem was disliked becauseDiem was disliked because
he discriminated against thehe discriminated against the
Buddhist populationBuddhist population
Some Buddhist monksSome Buddhist monks
protested Diem’s rule byprotested Diem’s rule by
setting themselves on firesetting themselves on fire
61. Gulf of TonkinGulf of Tonkin
IncidentIncident
USS Maddox
In August of 1964, Pres. JohnsonIn August of 1964, Pres. Johnson
announced that North Vietnamannounced that North Vietnam
ships had fired on two Americanships had fired on two American
destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkindestroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin
Johnson insisted that theJohnson insisted that the
North Vietnamese attackNorth Vietnamese attack
was unprovoked andwas unprovoked and
responded by orderingresponded by ordering
American airplanes to attackAmerican airplanes to attack
North VietnamNorth Vietnam
62. Gulf of Tonkin ResolutionGulf of Tonkin Resolution
When, in August ofWhen, in August of
1964, Congress passed1964, Congress passed
the Gulf of Tonkinthe Gulf of Tonkin
Resolution, CongressResolution, Congress
handed over warhanded over war
powers to the presidentpowers to the president
After accusing N.After accusing N.
Vietnam of attacking theVietnam of attacking the
U.S., Johnson askedU.S., Johnson asked
Congress to give him theCongress to give him the
authorization to use forceauthorization to use force
to defend Americanto defend American
forcesforces
The President had the power toThe President had the power to
send U.S. troops into battlesend U.S. troops into battle
without a declaration of warwithout a declaration of war
63. Operation Rolling ThunderOperation Rolling Thunder
The U.S. bombing campaignThe U.S. bombing campaign
conducted against the Northconducted against the North
Vietnam from 1965 until 1968Vietnam from 1965 until 1968
The three-year assault wasThe three-year assault was
intended to get Northintended to get North
Vietnam to stop supportingVietnam to stop supporting
South Vietnamese guerrillasSouth Vietnamese guerrillas
OperationOperation
became mostbecame most
intenseintense
air/ground battleair/ground battle
waged duringwaged during
the Cold Warthe Cold War
64. VietcongVietcong
Guerrilla army based inGuerrilla army based in
South Vietnam (alsoSouth Vietnam (also
known as the NLF) thatknown as the NLF) that
fought the U.S. and Southfought the U.S. and South
Vietnamese governmentsVietnamese governments
during the Vietnam Warduring the Vietnam War
The Vietcong were SouthThe Vietcong were South
Vietnamese communistsVietnamese communists
who fought for Vietnamesewho fought for Vietnamese
unification on the side of theunification on the side of the
North VietnameseNorth Vietnamese
65. Vietcong AdvantagesVietcong Advantages
They were familiar withThey were familiar with
the landscape (rivers,the landscape (rivers,
lakes, etc.)lakes, etc.)
They could find a safeThey could find a safe
haven in Cambodia,haven in Cambodia,
Laos or South VietnamLaos or South Vietnam
They could often countThey could often count
on the support of theon the support of the
local populationlocal population
66. Ho Chi Minh TrailHo Chi Minh Trail
Red line indicates Ho Chi MinhRed line indicates Ho Chi Minh
Trail through Laos and CambodiaTrail through Laos and Cambodia
A look at the Ho Chi Minh Trail from road level, withA look at the Ho Chi Minh Trail from road level, with
camouflaged convoy truck approaching.camouflaged convoy truck approaching.
Path that ran from North Vietnam to
South Vietnam through Laos and
Cambodia system providing manpower
and materiel to the Vietcong
67. Tet OffensiveTet Offensive
January 30 – June 8, 1968January 30 – June 8, 1968
In early 1968, the Vietcong and the North VietnameseIn early 1968, the Vietcong and the North Vietnamese
launched a surprise attack throughout South Vietnamlaunched a surprise attack throughout South Vietnam
during the Tet, which is the Vietnamese New Yearduring the Tet, which is the Vietnamese New Year
68. Tet OffensiveTet Offensive
The Tet Offensive in 1968 was a surprise attackThe Tet Offensive in 1968 was a surprise attack
by the Vietcong throughout South Vietnamby the Vietcong throughout South Vietnam
While the VietcongWhile the Vietcong
suffered heavy losses,suffered heavy losses,
it was a major politicalit was a major political
victory for thevictory for the
VietcongVietcong
Tet was the turningTet was the turning
point in the war andpoint in the war and
showed that the U.S.showed that the U.S.
was nowhere close towas nowhere close to
69. Credibility GapCredibility Gap
William WestmorelandWilliam WestmorelandRobert McNamaraRobert McNamara
Opposition to theOpposition to the
Vietnam War grewVietnam War grew
in the United Statesin the United States
in the late 1960sin the late 1960s
Many AmericansMany Americans
were suspicious ofwere suspicious of
the government’sthe government’s
truthfulness abouttruthfulness about
the warthe war
Many Americans believed aMany Americans believed a credibility gapcredibility gap hadhad
developed (people lost trust in what thedeveloped (people lost trust in what the
government was telling them)government was telling them)
70. My LaiMy Lai
MassacreMassacre
March 16March 16thth
, 1968, 1968
An American platoonAn American platoon
had massacred morehad massacred more
than 200 Souththan 200 South
Vietnamese civiliansVietnamese civilians
who they thought werewho they thought were
members of the Vietcongmembers of the Vietcong
in a village called My Laiin a village called My Lai
Most of the victims were old men, women andMost of the victims were old men, women and
childrenchildrenThe My Lai massacre increased feelings amongThe My Lai massacre increased feelings among
many Americans that the war was brutal andmany Americans that the war was brutal and
71. Election of 1968Election of 1968
"I shall not seek, and I will not accept the nomination of my
party for another term as your President." March 31, 1968
Johnson refuses toJohnson refuses to
run for re-electionrun for re-election
After Johnson refused to run forAfter Johnson refused to run for
re-election and Bobby Kennedyre-election and Bobby Kennedy
was assassinated, the Democratswas assassinated, the Democrats
ended up choosing LBJ’s vice-ended up choosing LBJ’s vice-
president, Hubert Humphrey, aspresident, Hubert Humphrey, as
their presidential candidatetheir presidential candidate
Republicans nominate formerRepublicans nominate former
vice-president Richard Nixon,vice-president Richard Nixon,
who lost to JFK in 1960who lost to JFK in 1960
73. Draft Lottery BeginsDraft Lottery Begins
Many Americans who were against the warMany Americans who were against the war
believed the United States had an unfairbelieved the United States had an unfair
draft systemdraft systemMinorities made up a large percentage ofMinorities made up a large percentage of
people drafted and most soldiers werepeople drafted and most soldiers were
74. Kent State MassacreKent State Massacre
May 4, 1970May 4, 1970
In April of 1970,In April of 1970,
President NixonPresident Nixon
announced thatannounced that
American troops hadAmerican troops had
invaded Cambodiainvaded Cambodia
Anti-war protestorsAnti-war protestors
saw this as ansaw this as an
escalation of the war,escalation of the war,
sparking violentsparking violent
protests on collegeprotests on college
campusescampuses
At Kent State University in Ohio, protestorsAt Kent State University in Ohio, protestors
became violent. The Ohio National Guard wasbecame violent. The Ohio National Guard was
called in and fired upon the studentcalled in and fired upon the student
75.
76. 2626thth
Amendment ratifiedAmendment ratified
President Nixon signs the 26th AmendmentPresident Nixon signs the 26th Amendment
guaranteeing the right to vote for people over 18.guaranteeing the right to vote for people over 18.
Anger over the draft led toAnger over the draft led to
debates about the voting age.debates about the voting age.
Demonstrators help publicDemonstrators help public
rallies and marches.rallies and marches.
The average age of aThe average age of a
American soldier in VietnamAmerican soldier in Vietnam
was 19. Because you had towas 19. Because you had to
be 21 to vote, many peoplebe 21 to vote, many people
called for changes in votingcalled for changes in voting
laws, saying that if you’re oldlaws, saying that if you’re old
enough to fight in war, youenough to fight in war, you
should be old enough to vote.should be old enough to vote.
In 1971, the 26In 1971, the 26thth
Amendment was ratified,Amendment was ratified,
lowered the legal votinglowered the legal voting
age from 21 to 18age from 21 to 18
77. VietnamizationVietnamization
Vietnamization called for a
gradual withdrawal of
American troops as South
Vietnamese took more control
Even though the U.S. had begun cutting back itsEven though the U.S. had begun cutting back its
involvement in the Vietnam War, the American homeinvolvement in the Vietnam War, the American home
front remained divided and volatile as Nixon’s warfront remained divided and volatile as Nixon’s war
policies stirred up new waves of protestpolicies stirred up new waves of protest
78. U.S. pulls out of VietnamU.S. pulls out of Vietnam
In January of 1973, North and South
Vietnamese reach a cease-fire agreement;
By 1975, the United States withdraws all
of its people from Vietnam
In late1975, North Vietnam violated the
ceasefire and captured the South
Vietnamese capital of Saigon. The war was
79. War Powers ActWar Powers Act (1973)(1973)
Law was an attempt toLaw was an attempt to
set limits on theset limits on the
power of thepower of the
president duringpresident during
wartimewartime
Required theRequired the
president topresident to
inform Congressinform Congress
of anyof any
commitment ofcommitment of
troops with 48troops with 48
80. The Pentagon PapersThe Pentagon Papers
In 1971, a former Defense DepartmentIn 1971, a former Defense Department
worker leaked what were known as theworker leaked what were known as the
Pentagon Papers to the New YorkPentagon Papers to the New York
TimesTimes
The documentsThe documents
showed how variousshowed how various
administrationsadministrations
deceived Congress,deceived Congress,
the media, and thethe media, and the
public about how thepublic about how the
war was goingwar was going
The governmentThe government
had not beenhad not been
honest with thehonest with the
American peopleAmerican people