Topic: Escalation in Vietnam Ch. 29.2
MAIN IDEAS
The Tonkin Gulf
Resolution
Air Strikes
Begin
U.S. Soldiers
in Vietnam
Strategies and
Tactic
Turning Points
in Vietnam
The Tet
Offensive
NOTES:

Lyndon B Johnson was determined to prevent Communists from taking
over S. Vietnam
o 1964- After a naval skirmish in Gulf of Tonkin, led to expansion of
U.S. involvement in Vietnam
 Congress creates Tonkin Gulf Resolution
 Gave President authority to take measures if there
were any armed attacks against US
o Used this to expand role in Vietnam

First US combat troops in Vietnam in 1965
o Also ordered Operation Rolling Thunder
 Air strikes on N. Vietnam
 Used to disrupt the Ho Chi Minh Trail
o Supply route used by N. Vietnamese
o Some of the trail was on neutral ground and
could not be attacked by land
 Napalm and Agent Orange
 Serious health problems
o 1968-a million tons of explosives were dropped on Vietnam
 Many Vietnamese soldiers and civilians killed.

Escalation
o 1968-500,000 US troops were serving in Vietnam

Rarely fought on frontlines
o Mostly fought in jungles and villages of S. Vietnam
o US-Search and Destroy missions
 Searched for hidden camps and destroyed with massive
firepower
o Vietcong and North Vietnamese Army (NVA) used guerilla warfare
 Deadly traps and land mines
 Knew local geography
 Received supplies from China and Soviet Union

US public confidence in war began to change
o Tet- Vietnamese New Year
 In the past, cease-fire occurred on holiday
o 1968- Vietcong and NVA launched attack
 Tet Offensive
 Surprise attacks all over S. Vietnam including US
Embassy in Saigon
Topic: Escalation in Vietnam Ch. 29.2
MAIN IDEAS
NOTES:



Hawks and
Doves


US forces fought off enemy attacks
Shocked Americans
o Were told the war was ending
General wanted 200,000 more troops
o Johnson denied it
Americans support for war turns
o My Lai- S. Vietnam
 US forces thought they were attacking Vietcong forces
 Killed 500 villagers including women and children
 US military tried to cover it up
 General was tried and convicted of murder
Americans wonder- Why are we in Vietnam,again?