Vietnam War Lecture by Mr. Beat Oh

Jun 29, 2024

Vietnam War Lecture by Mr. Beat Oh

Introduction

  • Speaker: Mr. Beat Oh
  • Personal anecdote: Registrations for the draft at 18
  • Definition of "the draft": military conscription, an obligatory registration for all American males aged 18 to 25 with the Selective Service System.
  • Main Idea: When a war draft during wartime
    • The last draft in the US was in 1973
    • This lecture covers the Vietnam War, which led to a lot of controversies in the US society.

Background of Vietnam War

  • Initially, Vietnam was influenced and taken over by China and then France.
  • Several Vietnamese revolutionary groups, notably the Việt Minh led by Hồ Chí Minh, were formed to fight against French and Japanese occupations during World War II.

First Indochina War (1946-1954)

  • After WWII, the French did not grant Vietnamese independence, leading to war between French forces and the Việt Minh.
  • Battles: Guerrilla warfare by the Việt Minh, underground tunnels, ambushes, etc.
  • The US began to aid France due to anti-communist sentiment.
  • Significant battle: Battle of Dien Bien Phu where the Việt Minh won decisively.

Geneva Conference (1954)

  • Temporarily divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel: North Vietnam (DR of Vietnam) and South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam).
  • US opposed elections which could bring communists into power.
  • South Vietnam's presidency established under Ngo Dinh Diem.

Rise of Viet Cong and Growing American Involvement

  • Formation of the Viet Cong, supported by North Vietnam.
  • Eisenhower sent military advisors, weapons, and money.
  • Rise to presidency of John F. Kennedy (JFK) who continued to send military aid despite warnings (e.g., from Charles de Gaulle).
  • Buddhist crisis in South Vietnam (1963): Anti-Diem protests, notable self-immolation of Buddhist monk Thích Quảng Ðức.
  • JFK's assassination led to Lyndon Johnson's presidency.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident and Resolution (1964)

  • Alleged attacks on US ships that led to Congress passing the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, granting Johnson broad military powers.
  • Major escalation of the war: Operation Rolling Thunder (sustained bombing of North Vietnam) and ground troops deployment.
  • Draft initiated due to growing troop numbers.

Difficulties and Controversies (1965-1968)

  • Search-and-destroy missions, which often destroyed villages and led to civilian casualties.
  • Use of herbicides like Agent Orange: Long-term health effects on both soldiers and civilians.
  • Growing anti-war protests in the US, particularly on college campuses, media coverage showing harsh realities of war.
  • Tet Offensive (1968): Large-scale attack by North Vietnam and Viet Cong, reducing US public support for the war.

Political Instability and Further Developments

  • Johnson decided against seeking re-election for 1968.
  • Candidates: Eugene McCarthy, Robert Kennedy (assassinated), and Hubert Humphrey.
  • Richard Nixon won the presidency in 1968 on a platform with a "secret plan" to end the war.

Nixon's Strategy and Vietnamization

  • Nixon's strategy of Vietnamization: Gradually turning the war over to South Vietnam
  • Continued bombings, including secret bombings in Cambodia
  • Release of Pentagon Papers exposing military cover-ups

End of War and Legacy

  • Paris Peace Accords (1973): Marked the official withdrawal of American troops
  • Fall of Saigon (1975): North Vietnam captured South Vietnam, ending the war
  • Legacy: Seen as a major failure and mistake
  • Long-term effects on veterans, relations between the US and Vietnam, environmental damage
  • Vietnam War syndrome: Hesitancy to involve in foreign wars until 9/11

Personal Reflection

  • Influence of Vietnam War on Mr. Beat Oh's own decision not to volunteer for the military

This lecture highlights the complexity and lasting impacts of the Vietnam War, from initial conflicts with French colonial rule, the rise of communist movements, extensive US military involvement, public dissent, and the eventual legacy of the war.