The Vietnam War

"After consultation between the governments of South Vietnam and the United States, the United States Government has agreed to the request of the Government of Vietnam to station two United States Marine Corps Battalions in the Da Nang area to strengthen the general security of the Da Nang Air Base complex." With these simple words began a military presence that would within four years involve an army of half a million men. It would also create a divisive atmosphere at home. It would divide families, drive thousands of young men to demonstrate, engage in civil disobedience, even to leave their country. It was America's longest war. The primary source documents, essays, and historical photographs in this portfolio give students a way to explore a very complicated war, in great depth. The documents provide historical context by giving voice to many different perspectives. They reflect the attitudes of the people who actively supported the war, those who passionately opposed it, and those who merely wanted to survive it. As an anonymous soldier said before he was shipped out, "I don't care about going. I care about coming back." This portfolio includes a Study Guide with reproducible student activities, and a timeline of events between 1941 and 1982. 5 Illustrated Broadsheet Essays: * Beginnings to the Gulf of Tonkin * Gulf of Tonkin and the Tet Offensive * The Anti-War Movement * Vietnamization and the Paris Peace Accords * The Fall of Saigon and the Aftermath 16 Primary Source Documents: * Front page of San Francisco Chronicle, May 8, 1954 * Text from Congressional Record of peace agreement of July 1954, signed by the Vietnamese and the French * Newspaper story on marines landing at Da Nang, March 8, 1965 * After-combat report, Nov. 6, 1965, on "Drang River Ambush" * "Nine Rules" of conduct for U.S. soldiers * "Standing Orders, Rogers Rangers" Advice to soldiers * Vietcong policy toward POWs * Second Brigade's "Blackhorse Hoofbeats" newsletter, Oct. 15, 1967 * Vietcong after-action report, Feb. 9, 1968 * Congressional Medal of Honor recommendation for Nicholas Cutinha, August 10, 1968, and award dated April 23, 1970 * Draft document collection: Selective Service questionnaire, draft birthday / lottery number chart, and draft classification guidelines * "New Mobilizer" newsletter, January 1970 * Letter from soldier Tom Lucas to Albert Ettinger, Feb. 5, 1970 * Joint Peace Treaty among students of the United States, South Vietnam, and North Vietnam, December 1970 * Bureau of Public Affairs pro-war publication, May 6, 1971 * Front page of the San Francisco Chronicle, April 30, 1975