Lecture Notes: The Vietnam War and The Great Society

Topic 8.8 The Vietnam War

Thematic Focus

• America in the World (WOR): Interactions shape America’s role globally.

Learning Objective

• Explain causes and effects of the Vietnam War.

Historical Developments

• Containment of Communism:

  • U.S. aimed to prevent spread of communism, influenced by expansionist Communist ideology and Soviet actions.
  • Key events: Domino Theory, Tonkin Gulf Resolution, Tet Offensive.

• Cold War Alliances:

  • Post-WWII decolonization led to nationalist movements.
  • New nations often non-aligned during Cold War.

• Debate Over Executive Power:

  • War Powers Act emerged from debates over presidential authority in military actions.

The Vietnam Divide

• North Vietnam (Communist, led by Ho Chi Minh) vs. South Vietnam (Democratic, U.S.-supported).
• Domino Theory: U.S. feared South Vietnam's fall to communism would lead to regional domino effect.
• U.S. foreign policy focused on containment of communism.

Assassination of Kennedy / Gulf of Tonkin Incident

• Lyndon B. Johnson became President after Kennedy's assassination.
• Gulf of Tonkin Incident: Alleged attack on U.S. battleship by North Vietnam.
  • Led to Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, allowing broad military action without formal war declaration.
  • Sparked debate on executive military power.

Military Involvement in Vietnam

• Johnson’s Strategy: Step-by-step escalation, assuming U.S. pressure would subdue North Vietnam.
• Escalation led to significant U.S. troop involvement, revealing North Vietnamese resilience.

Vietnam War at Home

• Domestic Opposition: War sparked intense protests and debates in the U.S.
• Credibility Gap: Discrepancy between official reports and televised war realities.
• Tet Offensive: Surprise attack by North Vietnam, leading to heavy U.S. casualties and ending Johnson’s escalation.
  • Nixon’s election focused on reducing U.S. involvement through "Vietnamization".

Topic 8.9 The Great Society

Thematic Focus

• Politics and Power (PCE): Shaping policy, institutions, and citizen rights.

Learning Objective

• Explain debates on government role over time.

Historical Developments

• War on Poverty: Focus on poverty despite postwar affluence.

• Liberalism: High influence mid-1960s, aimed at social goals domestically.

  • Johnson's Great Society sought to eliminate poverty, end discrimination.

• Migration and Settlement (MIG): Effects of immigration laws on U.S. demographics.

  • Immigration Act of 1965: Abolished quotas based on national origins, increased immigration diversity.

Introduction to The Great Society

• Lyndon Johnson: Perceived as unsophisticated, skilled politician with a focus on social reform.
• Great Society Program: Expansion of New Deal reforms.

The War on Poverty

• Michael Harrington’s Influence: His book highlighted poverty, leading to Johnson's "war on poverty".
• Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO): Established to sponsor self-help programs.

The Election of 1964

• Johnson vs. Goldwater: Liberal agenda vs. conservative opposition.
  • Democrats depicted Goldwater as extremist.

Great Society Reforms

• Significant programs included Food Stamp Act, Medicare, Medicaid, and Immigration Act.
• Increased funding for public services and environmental efforts.
  • Responses to works like Nader’s "Unsafe at Any Speed" and Carson’s "Silent Spring".
  • Beautify America campaign led by Lady Bird Johnson.

Evaluating the Great Society

• Criticism: Seen as unrealistic, inefficient, costly.
• Defense: Provided needed assistance to marginalized groups.
• Vietnam War's escalation impacted domestic achievements.

Changes in Immigration

• 1965 Immigration Act Impact: Ended ethnic quotas, increased legal immigration, especially from Latin America and Asia.
• Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986: Addressed illegal immigration, imposed penalties, granted amnesty.

These notes provide a comprehensive overview of the Vietnam War and Great Society policies, highlighting key objectives, events, and outcomes necessary for understanding these complex historical periods.