ROUNDTABLE: WHY VIETNAM?



I. VIETNAM'S COLONIAL PAST

Ho Chi Minh, ardent Vietnam nationalist and founding member of the Vietnamese Communist Party. Ho led resistance against colonizers in Vietnam his entire life, and would later become the leader of the northern section of Vietnam.







The Dominio Theory








French at Dienbeinphu, 1954

The French found themselves surrounded and outgunned at Dienbeinphu. After failing to get military support from the U.S., the French surrendered in May 1954







Vietnam Divided








The New "Leaders" of South Vietnam

Bao Dai, "Emperor" of Vietnam
Ngo Dinh Diem, with Eisenhower







Diem's South Vietnam

Buddhist monk protesting Diem's regime
Viet Cong opposing Diem







II. KENNEDY'S VIETNAM

Kennedy consulting his brother, Bobby
JFK explaining the situation in Vietnam







III. LYNDON B. JOHNSON'S VIETNAM

Johnson taking the oath of office
Pro-Johnson Vietnam rally







Gulf of Tonkin and Taking the War to North Vietnam

Video Clip: LBJ on Vietnam







Operation Rolling Thunder, 1965

Video Clip: U.S. Bombing North Vietnam







Protesting Vietnam













Reporting Vietnam

Video Clip: Reporter in Vietnam







A War of Body Counts

Video Clip: Westmoreland: We're winning the war
General Westmoreland







The Costs of Vietnam








IV. THE END OF JOHNSON: THE TET OFFENSIVE

Video Clip: Vietnamese Planning for the Tet Offensive







A President Resigns

Video Clip: LBJ Announces Won't Run for Re-election







V. WHAT WILL THE 1968 ELECTION BRING?