The Cold War: Vietnam
Protest and Silence: Comparing the Vietnam and Korean Wars
Lesduur is: 50 minOnderdelen in deze les
Protest and Silence: Comparing the Vietnam and Korean Wars
Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson you will be able to:
explain why reactions to the Vietnam and Korean Wars were so different,
analyse causes of protest
reflect on how war impacts society.
Quick Retrieval: Korean War Knowledge
1. What type of war was the Korean War? 2. Why is it called the 'forgotten war'? 3. What was the outcome?
Two Wars, Two Public Reactions
Korean War
Vietnam War
Two Wars, Two Public Reactions
Vietnam War
Millions protested.
Extensive media, political and cultural attention.
Strong public opposition.
Few public protests.
Limited media coverage.
Generally accepted by society.
Korean War
Images of Protest: Vietnam vs Korea
Observe these contrasting images of public reaction. What differences stand out?
Images of Protest: Vietnam vs Korea
Images of Protest: Vietnam vs Korea
Images of Protest: Vietnam vs Korea
In Korea, nobody wins. In Vietnam, the USA withdraws
Vietnam Basics: Conflict Overview
1887 - 1954: Vietnam is part of French Indochine (lots of Vietnamese resistance)
France tries to keep control, but war for independence breaks out.
1954: France is defeated at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu
Vietnam is 'temporarily' split in two:
North Vietnam, led by Ho Chi Minh (communist)
South Vietnam, supported by USA, anti-communist
Then: usual story. USA fears the domino theory and sends money, weapons and advisors to South Vietnam
The war escalates
In South Vietnam, Vietnamese people start fighting the government in order to join the North and become really independent:
Viet Cong (VC)
USA increases involvement by sending thousands of soldiers and heavy bombing.
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
Described in August 1964 to US Congress as two unprovoked attacks by North Vietnamese torpedo boats on two American military ships.
Not sure there really were attacks,
but president Johnson got permission to increase USA involvement even more.
Not the usual USA war
Guerilla warfare: enemy hides in the jungle, no real front
Difficult conditions: heat, humidity, jungle, tunnels
Lots of impact on civilians, also because controversial weapons like napalm were used
Media: first tv war, shocking images at home
The war becomes unpopular
high casualties
unclear progress
disturbing images on tv, newspapers, magazines
Large protests in the USA (picture in Washington) and Europe.
End of the war
1975:
USA withdraws troops.
North Vietnam wins.
Vietnam becomes one communist country.
A year later, the South Vietnamese capitol Saigon is renamed Ho Chi Minh City.
Vietnam: More Than a Military Conflict
The war challenged US politics, divided society, and raised questions about morality and the media.
Table Activity: Comparing the Two Wars
Dates?
Who fought?
Outcome?
Public reaction?
Korean War
Vietnam War
Dates?
Who fought?
Outcome?
Public reaction?
Bigger Picture: Wars and Society
How do wars affect society far from the front lines? Think about media, politics, daily life, and morality.
Looking Ahead: Protest Movements
Later this year, we will explore other protest movements. Consider how the Vietnam War shaped civil activism.
