Containment in Vietnam

https://www.pbs.org/video/stories-service-draft-union-square/

Written Discussion: Should those who burned draft cards be punished? Why or why not?

This is Vietnam.

Analyze the map and discuss:

The red line indicates the path of the "Ho Chi Minh" trail.

Jot down at least one OBSERVATION.

Over the course of the long war, many Americans questioned whether Vietnam was worth the cost. Supporters of the war were angered by the lack of support for the military and the struggle against communism.

How did Americans understand the war?

We are about to analyze media sources. Use loose leaf paper, draw a line down the middle. Jot down the MAIN IDEA of both pieces.

http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/492545/Green-Berets-The-Movie-Clip-Communist-Domination.html

Watch this clip from "Ballad of the Green Berets."

Notes: Why does the soldier say we need to fight?

What evidence does he use to support his claim?

Task: Read "Memorandum of the Foreign Affairs Adviser."

Answer: Was Vietnam worth the sacrifice?

Cite evidence from TWO of the sources in your reply.

Listen: This song came out during the war.

Notes: What is the artist's critique of the war?

Do you find it convincing?

Millions more Vietnamese would die.

56,000 Americans would die in the course of the war.

America entered the war in 1955 to prevent the spread of communism. They would stay until 1975.

Ho Chi Minh was the leader of the resistance.

Some historians say that he was a communist that wanted to spread a Soviet style revolution to Asia.

Others argue that he was a primarily a NATIONALIST, trying to free his country from European and American colonialism.

Turn and talk: Choose a question.

Why would Ho Chi Minh want to lie about being a communist?

Why would the United States care about Vietnam's Independence from France?

The Origins of the Vietnam War

The relationship between the countries was typically IMPERIALIST. The French extracted resources and subjugated the local population.

The French left in defeat in 1955

Before WWII, Vietnam was part of the French Empire.

The French left during the war, but returned after, attempting to recreate their empire. This time, the Vietnamese resisted.

Containment in Vietnam

Exit Slip: We have now examined two cases of the Truman Doctrine (containment)

Was this the right policy for the United States? Why or why not?

The National Security Agency (an INTELLIGENCE agency) claimed that Vietnamese ships attacked again on August 4, 1964, as another sea battle, but instead evidence was found of "Tonkin ghosts" (false radar images) and not actual North Vietnamese torpedo boats.

Did the Government Lie?

In the 2003 documentary The Fog of War, the former United States Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara admitted that the August 2 USS Maddox attack happened with no Defense Department response, but the August 4 Gulf of Tonkin attack never happened.

Did the "Domino Effect" of Soviet Expansion justify a lie?

On August 2, 1964, the destroyer USS Maddox, while performing a signals intelligence patrol, was pursued by three North Vietnamese Navy torpedo boats.

What happened next would begin a more than a decade of war in Vietnam.

Get Ready...

We all agreed that the government has lied before...but is there ever a situation in which the government should lie?

Explain in 2-3 sentences.