 WITNESS TO HISTORY: THE VIETNAM WAR Objectives • Introduces students to the Vietnam War– in the field and on the home front • Stimulates discussion of an important event in 20th century history. • Provides primary source material for historical authenticity • Encourages students to study this subject in greater depth. Summary of Content This program looks at the history of the Vietnam War from the early US involvement following the end of World War II, through the US withdrawal in 1973, and the Communist victory in 1975. Archival footage documents the early involvement and the Domino Theory ; the Diem government ; the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution ; the Tet Offensive ; Cambodia; the final evacuation from South Vietnam; and the Communist take-over of South Vietnam.The program also examines the war on the home front : peace demonstrations; the anti-war movement ; the primary victory of Sen. Eugene McCarthy; Pres. Johnson’s withdrawal for reelection ; the peace talks; the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial. Discussion Questions 1. What was the Domino Theory? 2. Who was Ho Chi Mihn? 3. Why was it so important to the West that the Democratic Republic of Vietnam Ho Chi Mihn proclaimed after the end of World War II not be allowed to succeed? 4. Identify the following: a. French Indochina b. The Geneva Accords c. The Viet Mihn d. The Viet Cong e. Ho Chi Mihn Trail f. Agent Orange g. “Search and Destroy” missions 5. Who was Ngo Dihn Diem? Why did the US agree that his government should be replaced? 6. What was the Selective Service Act or the draft? How did it contribute to the anti-war movement in the US? 7. Why was there such opposition to the Vietnam War in the US? 8. What is “guerilla warfare?” How did that make the Vietnam War so difficult for the US to fight? 9. Why was the Tet Offensive considered a military defeat but a political and psychological victory for the North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong? 10. Pres. Nixon said that he wanted “peace with honor.” Was that achieved? Activities • The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution allowed Pres. Johnson to send combat troops to Vietnam without a formal declaration of war, thereby bypassing the Constitutional requirement that only Congress can declare war. Have students research and then discuss the history of the passage and repeal of the Resolution and its effect on American policy. • The Vietnam War was one of the most painful episodes in US history. Have students investigate and discuss the lessons learned from that war as they apply to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. For example, contrast the American public’s feelings about the soldiers who fought in Vietnam with their feelings towards to soldiers who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. And have them discuss the military policies toward the safety of the civilian population in Vietnam with the policies toward the civilian populations of Iraq and Afghanistan. • Opposition to the draft was one of the primary causes of the anti-war movement. Have students research and discuss the history of the draft in US history – from the Civil War through the Vietnam War. |
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