DNL : The Vietnam War

Session 1: From Post-WWII America to 1963

From 1945 to 1963, the United States underwent a transformative

period, both domestically and internationally. The post-World War II era
was marked by the onset of the Cold War, and the U.S. played a central
role in global geopolitics. Moreover, the Cold War rivalry escalated as
both the United States and the Soviet Union developed nuclear
capabilities. The geopolitical tensions heightened with the USSR's
successful testing of an atomic bomb in 1949. The aftermath of World
War II saw an « Iron Curtain » (Churchill, Fulton 1946) dividing Europe
into Western democracies and Eastern European states under Soviet
in uence.

Meanwhile, by October 1949, Mao Tse-Toung’s triumph in the Chinese

Civil War established the People's Republic of China, fundamentally
reshaping the geopolitical dynamics of Asia. A few months later, the
United States heavily involved in the Korean War (1950-1953); a con ict
triggered by North Korean forces' invasion of South Korea. The U.S.,
leading a United Nations coalition, intervened to counter the spread of
communism in the region; but China also sent thousands of soldiers
helping north korean communists. These parallel events marked critical
junctures in the early Cold War period, shaping the contours of U.S.-
China relations and in uencing the geopolitical landscape of East Asia.

Internally, the Baby Boom reshaped American society, in uencing

demographics, cultural norms, and economic patterns. This
demographic surge contributed to the rise of the American Way of Life, Mao Tse Toung speech, October 1st,
characterized by economic prosperity, suburbanization, and 1949; below : Korean War Map.
consumerism. The nation's citizens enjoyed an improved standard of
living, re ecting the postwar economic boom. The 1950s were also
marked by the beginning of the civil rights struggle unfolded—a
powerful social movement aimed at eradicating racial discrimination -
against afro American people - and promoting equal rights for all
citizens.

Apart from segregation laws, the only negative aspect of this period
seems to be Senator Joseph McCarthy's anti-communist crusade,
known as McCarthyism, which cast a shadow over the early 1950s,
leading to widespread fear and accusations: the infamous 'red scare.'
The Hollywood Blacklist and investigations by the House Un-American
Activities Committee were emblematic of this era of political paranoia.

However, in 1960, Kennedy’s victory to the presidential election,

symbolized a generational shift in leadership. His commitment to civil
rights, economic reform, and space exploration left a lasting impact.
Kennedy's iconic speech in Berlin in 1963, where he declared, "Ich bin
ein Berliner," solidi ed the United States' dedication to defending
democratic principles in the face of Cold War divisions. But, Kennedy’s
assassination the very same year also marked the end of a peaceful
resolution of the cold war and the beginning of a strong American
involvement in Vietnam…

Classroom activity : Write a re ective narrative imagining yourself

as a high school student in the late 1960s. Comment on the societal
changes and the general atmosphere in America after World War II First picture: American way of life in the
by describing your childhood. Include details on your family life and 50’s; Second Picture : Segregation in a
its links to WWII and the Korean War, experiences of segregation, bus; Third picture : Kennedy’s speech
McCarthyism’s paranoia over society, and any in uences from the in Berlin, 1963.
broader cultural shifts shaping the American way of life.
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 DNL : The Vietnam War

Session 2: 1963-1965 - The Start of American Involvement in Vietnam,

Kennedy's Assassination, and Civil Rights

Alongside the backdrop of Cold War tensions, Kennedy's « New Frontier

policies » aimed for societal advancement, but the Cuban Missile Crisis in
October 1962 underscored this fragile global landscape. Simultaneously, the
Civil Rights Movement reached a critical juncture during these years. The
March on Washington in 1963, led by Martin Luther King Jr., became an
emblematic moment in the pursuit of racial equality and justice. However,
right after the tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy and
meanwhile the Civil Rights Movement progress, the years 1963 to 1965
witnessed the start of American engagement in Vietnam.

Actually, Vietnam was the former biggest part of Indochina, the Asian French
Colony. During World War II, Indochina was occupied by Japanese troops On the left : Ho Chi Minh, North
from 1940 to 1945. The Vietnamese resistance, led by Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnam leader; on the right, Diem,
Viet-Minh communist party, emerged during this war. Post-World War II, as South Vietnam leader.
decolonization unfolded, France quickly recognized independence for
Indochina and Vietnam in 1949. However, tensions arose over the leadership,
French o cials refused that Ho Chi Minh would seize power with its
communist party while French troops were ghting to prevent communist
North Korea to dominate South Korea. This led to the Indochina War, lost by
French troops. Actually they su ered a decisive defeat at Dien Bien Phu in
1954.

The end of the war was then soon negotiated at the Genova conference
which divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel, similarly to Korea's division at the
38th parallel.The North became communist, while an independent
government ruled the South. The planned 1956 referendum by the conference
for reuni cation never materialized. South Vietnam's leader, Diem, resisted to
apply it, fearing Ho Chi Minh's popularity. The National Liberation Front of
South Vietnam, or Vietcong, emerged then in the South, supported by North
Vietnam. The Vietcong fought the South Vietnam army to seize power and
reunite with North Vietnam, prompting U.S. military advisors' intervention to
help Diem to ght them back.

Diem was later assassinated in a coup just before J.F. Kennedy's

assassination. The Gulf of Tonkin incident, occurring in August 1964, involved
reported attacks on U.S. Navy destroyers by North Vietnamese patrol boats,
ultimately leading to the escalation of American military involvement in the
Vietnam War. This incident is debated today by historians, notably about the
fact it could have been created or exaggerated by the CIA to push forward
American involvement in Vietnam. By 1965, signi cant American troop In 1963, Diem faced a strong
deployments occurred, with fears of the « Domino Theory », pushing the U.S. internal resistance, to which he
to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia (The domino theory replied with his oppressive regime.
was a belief during the Cold War that if one country in a region fell to To protest against that, Buddhist
communism, neighboring countries would also follow suit, like a row of falling monk Thich Quang Duc immolated
dominoes).The Vietnam War escalated, with General Westmoreland leading himself.
American forces. Despite initial defensive intentions, the con ict became
increasingly violent. Ho Chi Minh's statement re ected the growing Below : General Westmoreland
determination of North Vietnam against the U.S.: "You can kill ten of our men
for every one we kill of yours. But even at those odds, you will lose, and we
will win."

Classroom activity : Build upon your previous narrative, incorporating the

impact of President Kennedy's assassination, the escalation of American
involvement in Vietnam, and the unfolding Civil Rights Movement.
Consider how these events may have a ected your family's perspectives
and your own personal experiences as a middle school student.
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Session 3: 1965-1967 - Escalation in Vietnam and Combat Methods

The Vietnam War marked a paradigm shift in U.S. military engagement,

presenting unprecedented challenges for American soldiers. Tasked with
defending South Vietnam against the elusive Vietcong guerilla, U.S. troops
operated in small combat units crossing challenging marshlands and rain-
soaked jungles, rendering traditional tanks ine ective. These soldiers faced
heightened vulnerability to ambushes and traps meticulously set by the
Vietcong.
In 1963, they were around 12 000
Conducting "Search and Destroy" missions, U.S. soldiers were dropped into Americans military advisors. They
di erent locations by helicopters, exhibiting suspicion towards civilians as were rstly professional soldiers,
the Vietcong often disguised themselves among the population. To counter but soon, USA started to send
the Vietcong's underground tactics, American soldiers had to navigate the young conscript soldiers, young
intricate network of tunnels meticulously dug by their adversaries, adding an men who were doing their military
unusual and stressful dimension to the con ict. service and didn’t choose to be
drafted into the war. In 1965,
In response to the challenges of maintaining control over South Vietnam, the almost 200 000 soldiers were send
U.S. military command introduced new weapons, notably the infamous to Vietnam, in 1968 more than half
Napalm and Agent Orange. These chemical agents aimed to eliminate a million…
Vietcong hiding spots and disrupt their strategies, yet the con ict persisted.
Frustrated by the resilience of the Vietcong, the U.S. Air Force initiated
extensive bombing operations over North Vietnam during "Operation Rolling
Thunder" from 1965 to 1968. More bombs were dropped over North Vietnam
during this operation than throughout the entire span of World War II
worldwide. However, despite these drastic measures, the combined e orts
of U.S. and South Vietnam troops proved insu cient to secure victory in the
protracted war. The Vietnam War, with its unconventional nature and
unconventional tactics, highlighted the limitations of traditional military
strategies and underscored the complexities of counterinsurgency warfare.

The ght for desegregation also found an echo in Vietnam War. On one
hand, US Army send a lot of afro-americans to Vietnam in combat units to
show to the world they didn’t apply no more segregation (they were almost
no ghting afro-americans units in the previous wars till the Korean War). On
the other hand, afro-americans soldiers su ered more than white soldiers
during the con ict : around 25% of wounded Americans soldiers in 1965
were afro-americans. Uno cially, segregation was continuing on the
battle eld and black soldiers didn’t have the same recognition. They were
charged in priority when they were problems (like in case of rapes against
Vietnamese women for example).

Moreover, black soldiers could identify themselves to Vietnamese soldiers

because of their skin colour… and the fact that some white armed men
wanted to rule them. In 1967, the famous Boxer Muhammad Ali refused to
go to Vietnam. He said :”Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go
10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on Brown people in
Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs? […]
No Vietcong ever called me a nigger”. He was put on trial, managed to
defend himself and didn’t go to jail, but he had to pay a 10 000$ ne and
wasn’t able to participate to any Boxing tournament during four years (even
if he was the world Champion).

Classroom activity : Expand your narrative by delving into the escalating

con ict in Vietnam. Describe the methods of combat employed and
how news of these developments reached your high school in a
desegregation context. Discuss the evolving sentiments within your
community and family regarding the war and its implications on your
daily life.
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 DNL : The Vietnam War

Session 4: 1968 : The Tet O ensive and Its Consequences.

In 1968, the Tet O ensive unfolded as a pivotal phase, marking the zenith
of the Vietnam War. Approximately 80,000 Vietcong soldiers launched a
coordinated assault on over a hundred cities in South Vietnam. This
massive operation, the Vietcong's largest since the war's inception, took
the American military command by surprise. The unexpected and well-
organized o ensive challenged the conventional expectations of guerrilla
warfare. The nature of combat shifted as Americans found themselves
battling in the streets of Vietnamese cities rather than the usuals
marshlands and jungles. While better prepared for urban warfare, the sheer
scale of the o ensive led to signi cant losses for U.S. troops, vividly
captured by foreign journalists through impactful photographs that
depicted the stark realities of the con ict.

The Tet O ensive proved to be a turning point in shaping American public

opinion on the war. It became crystal clear that the United States was
unlikely to secure victory in Vietnam. Although control over South
Vietnamese cities was retained in 1968, the inability to halt the Vietcong's
ongoing resistance became obvious. That same year, Robert F. Kennedy,
the brother of JFK, declared that the war was unwinnable, a sentiment
tragically echoed by his assassination on June 6, 1968, during his
presidential campaign.

Certain events during this period further shocked public opinion. Eddie
Adams' iconic photograph depicting a South Vietnamese o cer killing a
young Vietcong in the streets not only won a Pulitzer Prize but also altered
the perception of the U.S. involvement in Vietnam. More shockingly, the
My Lai massacre unfolded on March 16, 1968, just a month and a half
after the Tet O ensive commenced. Dozens of American soldiers
indiscriminately killed around 500 civilians, including numerous women
and children, in a horrifying act. When the My Lai massacre became public
knowledge a year later, it intensi ed ongoing anti-Vietnam War protests.

Indeed, in 1967, Martin Luther King, known for his advocacy against
segregation through non-violent means, had already initiated protest
marches against the Vietnam War. But tragically, he was assassinated on
April 4, 1968, just ve days after expressing his conviction that the Vietnam
War was "one of the most unjust wars that has ever been fought in the
history of the world." Following King's assassination, Chicago witnessed a
massive strike that evolved into one of the most signi cant riots in U.S.
history. Over two days of unrest, police actions resulted in the death of
eleven civilians, all of whom were African Americans, amplifying the racial
tensions underlying the protests.

Later that same year, at the Mexico City Olympics, African American
athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos made an iconic raised- st gesture
during the medal ceremony, symbolizing their protest against racial
injustices. This became a powerful moment of political protest in sports,
occurring as the positive international image of the USA began to be
eroded by the war in Vietnam.

Classroom activity : Continue your narrative by exploring the turbulent

year of 1968. Imagine what may have happened to your relatives in
Vietnam. Imagine that a comrade brought Eddie Adam’s picture at
school and what happened. Imagine how you could have discuss at
school about King’s assassination and its consequences, and about
My Lai massacre.
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Session 5: Delusions and Anti-War Protests

As said previously, the 1960s marked a transformative era, especially

for the post-war children who came of age during the Baby Boom. This
demographic shift contributed to the youthful vibrancy of American
society, sustained by economic prosperity. Eager to forge a di erent
path than their parents' wartime experiences, this burgeoning youth
sought inspiration for a new societal vision.

Many young individuals found in uence in Eastern philosophies,

particularly those from India, mirroring the non-violent spirit embraced
by gures like Martin Luther King, who drew from Gandhi's teachings.
The emergence of a counter-culture became manifest, embodied by the
Hippie and "Peace and Love" movement. The 1950s and 1960s
witnessed the rise of new forms of music such as rock and roll, soul,
and surf music in California, accompanied by a literary renaissance with
the Beatnik movement with authors like Jack Kerouac.

The fear of being drafted into the Vietnam War intensi ed anti-war
sentiments among the youth, culminating in the "Summer of Love" in
1967 in San Francisco. This marked a turning point as the Hippie
counter-culture spread nationwide, motivating countless young people
to non-violently protest against the war. Woodstock in August 1969
stands out as a symbolic gathering where perhaps half a million people
voiced their collective rejection of war through music and unity.

The global resonance of the anti-Vietnam War protest movement

extended beyond the United States, with international demonstrations
taking place in Europe and Japan. While numerous artists joined the
cause, not all of them were American. Among the notable gures during
this period was the British Beatle, John Lennon, who penned the iconic
anthem "Give Peace a Chance" in 1969. This track marked Lennon's
debut as a solo artist after departing from The Beatles.

The song was recorded spontaneously in a single take during June

1969, while Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, conducted a "bed-in" in
Montreal, as part of their peace movement. Five months later, at a
protest rally against President Richard Nixon and the Vietnam War, half
a million people united in singing "Give Peace a Chance," cementing its
status as a powerful anti-war anthem with a global impact. Additionally,
the Kent State shootings in 1970, where four unarmed students were
killed by the Ohio National Guard during a protest against the Vietnam
War, further fueled public outrage and intensi ed the anti-war
sentiment.

While the Hippie movement gradually waned in the 1970s, young artists
continued to criticize the ongoing war. In 1972, actress Jane Fonda
took a bold step by lming in North Vietnam to expose the devastating
impact of American bombings, becoming a prominent voice against the
con ict. The intertwining of cultural expressions, music, and activism
during this period re ected a generation's pursuit of peace and social
change.

Classroom activity : Develop your narrative by incorporating the

rise of anti-war sentiments and protests. As a high school student,
tell us about one « protest song » you have listened to, or a music
festival or a protest you may have gone to. Explore the diversity of
perspectives within your community, considering how these
protests shaped your understanding of the war and its societal
implications.
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Session 6: The "Week That Changed the World" : Aftermath Re ections

Amidst the substantial nancial resources allocated to the Vietnam War, the
United States embarked on an ambitious space program, culminating in the
historic achievement of landing a man on the Moon in July 1969. Richard
Nixon, who had been elected with a pledge to end the war, assumed the
presidency and personally congratulated the astronauts. This event didn’t
overshadowed the turmoil of Vietnam War, but gave new perspectives to
Nixon who wanted to give a better image of America.

To assert a semblance of victory before withdrawing troops, Nixon also

orchestrated a diplomatic surprise by visiting China from February 21 to 28,
1972. This unexpected meeting allowed Nixon to extend a handshake to
Mao Zedong, who had been a formidable adversary since the early days of
the Cold War (specially during the Korean War). This event became known
as the "Week That Changed the World." Despite the historical animosity,
Nixon's visit signi ed a peaceful intent and set the stage for negotiations to
conclude the Vietnam War. Prior to this, he had already initiated a gradual
withdrawal of U.S. troops, and by the end of 1972, combat units were no
longer present, leaving only military advisors to assist South Vietnam in
organizing its defense.

However that very same year, the iconic photograph by Nick Ut, commonly
known as the "Napalm Girl," immortalized the heart-wrenching impact of
the Vietnam War with the frightening image of nine-year-old Phan Thi Kim
Phuc eeing naked and terri ed after a napalm attack in Trang Bang. This
picture tragically echoed to Country Joe McDonald singing his famous lyrics
at Woodstock Festival : « What are we ghting for ? ».

Later on, the infamous Watergate Scandal unfolded, leading to Nixon's

resignation from the presidency in 1974. Following the departure of
American troops, the situation in Southeast Asia became critical. South
Vietnam lacked the military capability and resolve to withstand the o ensive
launched by the Vietcong and North Vietnam against Saigon. In 1975, two
years after the withdrawal, North Vietnamese forces entered the capital,
marking the end of the war. Poignant images of refugees attempting to
escape, including the iconic helicopter scene at the U.S. embassy, deeply
impacted public opinion.

Post-war, the aftermath was marked by a signi cant exodus of Vietnamese

people seeking refuge abroad, known as the "boat people." While 2.5
million were welcomed in Western countries, approximately 250,000
perished during perilous escapes. Despite the establishment of communism
in Vietnam, the country experienced subsequent con icts, notably engaging
in wars with Cambodia and China in 1978 and 1979. The fall of Saigon had
devastating consequences in Cambodia, where a quarter of the population
fell victim to the Khmer Rouge regime, resulting in approximately 2 million
deaths—occurrences that unfolded in close proximity to the former South
Vietnam.
Classroom activity : Conclude your narrative with the nal stages of the
Vietnam War. Consider how your character, a now college student,
views the conclusion of the war and its long-term e ects on American
society. Don’t forget that many Vietnam vets were completely rejected
by the American society and imagine that some boat people might
have been welcomed in your neighborhood. Do you speak to them ?
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