The Vietnam War’s Guilt rests upon the shoulders of ‘Uncle Sam’

Let’s delve into the Vietnam War, aiming for the truths we, as Americans, seek. This is a complex and painful period in history, shaped by multiple factors and perspectives.

How the U.S. Got Involved: The Seeds of Conflict

The roots of U.S. involvement in Vietnam stretch back to the aftermath of World War II and the rise of the Cold War.

French Colonialism and Vietnamese Nationalism: After WWII, France sought to reassert control over its Indochinese colonies, including Vietnam. However, a strong nationalist movement, led by the communist Ho Chi Minh and the Viet Minh, fought for independence. In 1954, the Viet Minh decisively defeated the French at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, leading to France’s withdrawal.
The Geneva Accords (1954): These agreements temporarily divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel into a communist North Vietnam and a non-communist South Vietnam. Elections to reunify the country were scheduled for 1956. However, the U.S. and the South Vietnamese government, fearing a communist victory, refused to participate in these elections.
The Domino Theory: The U.S. adopted the “domino theory,” which posited that if one Southeast Asian nation fell to communism, others would follow. This fear heavily influenced U.S. policy.
Support for South Vietnam: The U.S. began providing financial and military aid to the government of South Vietnam to bolster it against the communist North. President Dwight D. Eisenhower pledged firm support in 1955, and the U.S. sent military advisors to train the South Vietnamese army (ARVN).
Escalation under Kennedy: President John F. Kennedy increased U.S. involvement, expanding the number of military advisors from around 900 in 1960 to over 16,000 by 1963. He believed in containing communism but initially stopped short of large-scale military intervention.

The Escalation of the War

A series of events led to the full-scale U.S. military intervention:

The Gulf of Tonkin Incident (August 1964): This is a crucial and highly controversial event. The U.S. government claimed that North Vietnamese torpedo boats attacked two U.S. Navy destroyers, the USS Maddox and the USS Turner Joy, in international waters in the Gulf of Tonkin.
- The Truth: While the USS Maddox was indeed attacked on August 2nd, the alleged second attack on August 4th is now widely disputed. Evidence suggests it may have been based on misinterpreted radar signals and overeager sonar readings. A declassified National Security Agency report in 2007 concluded the August 4th attack never happened.
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution: Based on these alleged attacks, President Lyndon B. Johnson sought and obtained the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution from Congress. This resolution granted the president broad authority to “take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression” in Southeast Asia. This resolution became the legal basis for the massive escalation of U.S. military involvement.
Operation Rolling Thunder (1965-1968): Following the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, the U.S. launched a sustained bombing campaign against North Vietnam.
Deployment of Ground Troops (1965): The first U.S. combat troops landed in South Vietnam in March 1965. Their initial mission was to protect air bases, but their role quickly expanded to direct combat operations.

Lies and Justifications

The U.S. government employed several justifications for its involvement, some of which contained significant distortions or omissions:

The Unprovoked Attack in the Gulf of Tonkin: As mentioned earlier, the portrayal of the August 4th incident as an unprovoked attack was likely false and used to garner support for escalation.
The Domino Theory: While the fear of communism spreading was genuine for many policymakers, critics argued that the situation in Vietnam was more about nationalism and internal conflicts than a monolithic communist expansion.
Saving South Vietnam from Communist Aggression: While North Vietnam did support the Viet Cong in the South, the internal dynamics of the South Vietnamese government and the widespread discontent among its population were often downplayed.
The Idea of a Unified, Democratic South Vietnam: The reality was that the U.S. struggled to find stable and popular leaders in South Vietnam, often supporting regimes that were authoritarian and corrupt.

Puppet Leaders of South Vietnam

The U.S. supported a series of leaders in South Vietnam, many of whom were seen by the Vietnamese people as being heavily influenced by or puppets of the United States:

Ngo Dinh Diem (1955-1963): Initially supported by the U.S., Diem became increasingly autocratic and his preferential treatment of Catholics alienated the Buddhist majority. He was overthrown and assassinated in a U.S.-backed military coup in 1963.
A Succession of Military Juntas: Following Diem’s assassination, South Vietnam experienced a period of political instability with a rapid turnover of military-led governments. These included figures like General Duong Van Minh and General Nguyen Khanh.
Nguyen Van Thieu (1967-1975) and Nguyen Cao Ky (Vice President under Thieu): This duo led South Vietnam for a significant period. They were often criticized for their corruption and reliance on U.S. support. Both fled the country shortly before the fall of Saigon in 1975.

These leaders often lacked widespread popular support and their dependence on American aid fueled the perception of them as puppets.

Nixon’s Escalation and Prolongation of the War

While President Richard Nixon campaigned on a promise to end the war, his actions initially led to an expansion of the conflict:

“Vietnamization”: Nixon’s strategy aimed to gradually withdraw U.S. troops while training and equipping the South Vietnamese army to take over the fighting.
Secret Bombings of Cambodia and Laos: Nixon authorized secret bombing campaigns in neighboring Cambodia and Laos to disrupt North Vietnamese supply lines (the Ho Chi Minh Trail). These actions were kept hidden from the American public and Congress and further destabilized the region.
The Invasion of Cambodia (1970): U.S. and South Vietnamese forces launched an incursion into Cambodia, sparking widespread protests in the United States.
The Easter Offensive (1972): A major North Vietnamese offensive led to renewed U.S. bombing campaigns and increased military aid to the South.

While Nixon eventually negotiated the Paris Peace Accords in January 1973, leading to the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops, the U.S. continued to provide aid to South Vietnam. Many argue that Nixon’s policies prolonged the war for several years, resulting in further casualties on all sides, in pursuit of “peace with honor.” The fighting continued after the U.S. withdrawal, and South Vietnam eventually fell to the North Vietnamese in April 1975.

The Heavy Toll on LBJ

President Lyndon B. Johnson deeply felt the weight of the Vietnam War and its impact on American society.

The Great Society: Johnson’s ambitious domestic agenda, known as the Great Society, aimed to address poverty and racial injustice. However, the escalating costs of the Vietnam War diverted resources and attention away from these domestic goals.
Division and Protest: The war deeply divided the American public, leading to widespread protests and social unrest. Johnson became the target of intense criticism from both hawks who wanted a more aggressive approach and doves who called for an end to the war.
Civil Rights Movement: The Civil Rights Movement was reaching its peak during the Vietnam War. Many African Americans disproportionately served and died in Vietnam, while facing discrimination at home. This created significant tensions and fueled arguments that the war was unjust.
Personal Toll: The war took a significant personal toll on Johnson. He reportedly felt trapped and anguished by the conflict. The immense pressure and the erosion of his public support ultimately led him to decide not to seek re-election in 1968.

The Use of Drugs

The Vietnam War era saw a significant rise in drug use among American soldiers:

Marijuana: Marijuana was widely available and used by many soldiers as a way to cope with the stress, boredom, and trauma of war.
Heroin: Southeast Asia’s Golden Triangle was a major source of heroin, and its availability led to addiction among some U.S. troops. The psychological impact of the war and the ease of access contributed to this problem.
Impact: Drug use contributed to disciplinary problems, health issues, and long-term struggles for veterans returning home.

The Vietnam War remains a deeply significant and controversial event in American history. Understanding its complexities requires acknowledging the various factors that led to U.S. involvement, the justifications used, the human cost, and the long-lasting consequences for both the United States and Vietnam. You asked for the truths, and while historical interpretations can vary, the events and their impacts as described above represent the widely accepted understanding based on available evidence. Sources and related content

America’s Involvement | More Than Self: Living the Vietnam War – Atlanta History Center

www.atlantahistorycenter.com

books.google.com

Ho Chi Minh | American Experience | Official Site – PBS