Vietnam War and the Great Society - Lecture Notes

Topic 8.8: The Vietnam War

Thematic Focus: America in the World (WOR)

• Diplomatic, economic, cultural, military interactions shape America's role in the world.

Learning Objective

• Explain the causes and effects of the Vietnam War.

Historical Developments

• U.S. aimed to contain communism (Domino theory, Tonkin Gulf Resolution, Tet Offensive).
• Postwar decolonization, nationalist movements led Cold War sides to seek new allies.
• Debate over executive power in foreign/military policy (War Powers Act).

1. The Vietnam Divide

• Vietnam was geographically and politically divided: North (Communist, Ho Chi Minh) and South (Democratic, U.S. ally).
• Eisenhower's Domino Theory: U.S. support for South Vietnam to prevent regional spread of communism.
• Foreign Policy: containment of communism; Kennedy increased military advisers.

2. Assassination of Kennedy / Gulf of Tonkin Incident

• Kennedy assassinated; Lyndon B. Johnson became president.
• Gulf of Tonkin Incident: North Vietnamese allegedly fired on U.S. battleship.
  • Led to Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, allowing presidential military action without formal war declaration.
  • Increased U.S. military involvement, sparking debate over executive power.

3. Military Involvement in Vietnam

• Johnson used step-by-step escalation strategy, underestimated North Vietnamese.
• U.S. troop presence increased massively, causing controversy over unclear war objectives.

4. Vietnam War at Home

• Domestic Opposition: Anti-war protests due to disinformation and televised war scenes.
• Credibility Gap: Discrepancy between government statements and televised reality.
• Tet Offensive: Surprise attack by North Vietnam, exposed U.S. military difficulties.
• Nixon's Strategy: Elected to reduce involvement via Vietnamization - removing troops but supplying aid.

Questions

1. U.S. Cold War Policy: Containment of communism.
2. Post-Kennedy Presidency: Lyndon B. Johnson.
3. Gulf of Tonkin Incident: Alleged attack on U.S. ship; led to military escalation.
4. Outcome of Incident: President gained military power; increased U.S. involvement.
5. Military Strategy Result: Step-by-step escalation; U.S. troops faced strong resistance.
6. Johnson’s Strategy: Escalation; failed due to underestimating enemy.
7. War Portrayal: Johnson painted a positive picture despite reality.
8. Television's Impact: Revealed the harsh reality, creating skepticism.
9. Credibility Gap: Difference between official statements and reality.
10. Tet Offensive Impact: Showed U.S. vulnerability, led to policy reevaluation.
11. Nixon's Goal: Withdraw troops (Vietnamization), maintain U.S. dignity.

Topic 8.9: The Great Society

Thematic Focus: Politics and Power (PCE)

• Debates on government’s role in social, political, economic life shaped policies and rights.

Learning Objective

• Explain causes and effects of policy debates over government's role.

Historical Developments

• Despite affluence, poverty remained; led to "War on Poverty."
• High influence of liberalism mid-1960s (anti-communism, social goals).
• Johnson’s Great Society aimed to end racial discrimination, poverty.

1. Introduction

• Lyndon Johnson took office post-Kennedy assassination.
• Advocated for New Deal expansion, initiated Great Society

2. The War on Poverty

• Inspired by Michael Harrington’s "The Other America."
• Johnson declared "unconditional war on poverty," creating OEO with broad self-help programs.

3. Election of 1964

• Johnson and Humphrey ran with liberal agenda.
• Faced conservative Barry Goldwater; campaign highlighted extremism.

4. Great Society Reforms

• Extensive legislative achievements (Food Stamp Act, Medicare, Medicaid).
• Federal funding for various social, educational programs.
• New cabinet departments; environmental and safety regulations.

5. Evaluating the Great Society

• Critics: Unrealistic, costly, centralized welfare state.
• Defenders: Vital assistance to marginalized groups.
• Escalation in Vietnam affected domestic achievements.

6. Changes in Immigration

• Immigration Act of 1965 ended quotas, increased immigration diversity.
• Shift towards more Latin American, Asian immigrants.
• Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 addressed illegal immigration.

Questions

12. Johnson’s Initial Perception: Unsophisticated compared to Kennedy.
13. Determination: Expand New Deal; called "Great Society."
14. Response to Harrington: Declared "war on poverty."
15. Congressional Support: Created OEO, funded anti-poverty programs.
16. 1964 Election: Liberal agenda vs. conservative extremism.
17. Great Society Reforms: Examples include Medicare, Medicaid, Immigration Act.
18. Critique vs. Defense: Unrealistic vs. essential support.
19. 1965 Immigration Act: Ended quotas, diversified immigrants.
20. 1986 Immigration Act: Addressed illegal immigration, provided amnesty.