THE VIETNAM WAR
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All you can read about the Vietnam War
WRITEN AND EDITED BY THOMAS DOWNEY
SUBTOPICS INCLUDE... - VIETNAM WAR ORIGINS - VIET-CONG - IMPORTANT FIGURES
MRS. HOLLAND’S D BLOCK ENGLISH CLASS
- THE TET OFFENSIVE
ISSUE NUMBER 1,975 SPECIAL EDITION! FOR 10 CENTS ON MONDAY MORNINGS!
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Soldiers running from a recent bombing
VIETNAM WAR ORIGINS
A young soldier walking toWards base
This iconic memorial shows the people who lost their lives in Vietnam and can be found in Washington D.C.
“‘My father used to call all soldiers angel Warriors,’ he said. ‘Because usually they get boys to fight Wars. Most of them to young to vote.’ ‘How old are you?’ I asked. ‘23’ he said. ‘Why aren’t you retired?’” The Vietnam War was a bloody War fought between Communism and
sent some advisors to Vietnam. But on November 22, 1963 that all changed
democratic Americans fighting for the protection of South Vietnam in 1955-1975 In 1945 and the Second World War has just ended and millions of American Soldiers just risked their lives for there country. Now, Americans faced another problem, Communism. Ho Chi Minh attempted to declare independence from France. The French refused because Ho Chi Minh believed in Communism and America is fighting the
when J.F.K. was famously assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald. After
Heading quote from “Fallen Angles”
U.S.S.R. in the Cold War. The French fought in Vietnam but
with the Vietnam War. But as troops were sent to Vietnam, Americans were worried, confused and scared. The citizens of America were faced with the Cold War, Space Race, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the J.F.K. assassination and now american solders will have to go back to War from WWII and Korea to fight
America, under the lead of John. F. Kennedy, didn’t fight, but still
VIETNAM WAR ORIGIN TIME-LINE
this, Lyndon B. Johnson went to office and sent troops to Vietnam and this was the official start of American involvement
in the Vietnam War. And they don’t know what they are dealing with...
VIETNAM LOOKS TOWARDS COMMUNISM
VIETNAM SPLITS!
FRANCE TAKES CONTROL
AMERICA JOINS THE MIX...
After World War II, Ho Chi Minh wanted independence from France, to practice Communism with the Russians.
After Communism had taken over North Vietnam, South Vietnam remained the same which caused the spit.
When Ho Chi Minh and Communism split Vietnam it ended colonialism for France. So the French wished to regain control.
In 1965, 70,000 U.S. advisors were sent to Vietnam and thats when the Americans involvement really began.
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THE VIETCONG
America has now entered one of the most famous American Wars but do they know who they’re dealing with... Vietcong Introduction
underground. But the Vietcong had many
The Vietcong were a group of terrorists
mines, booby traps and genius battle
designed by Ho Chi Minh. They are most famous for their tenacious fighting and the Tet Offensive. The Vietcong were the strategic soldiers of the Vietnam War. They hid in a series of complex tunnels as seen on the right. They were mischievous, clever and communist. This
other tricks up their sleeves. Such as Land strategies. Yes, the Vietcong had their battle plan all mapped out and America wasn’t sure what just hit them.
Vietcong Impacts on the War The Vietcong had serious impacts on
wasn’t good for President Johnson. He wasn’t
the Vietnam War without them, Communism
aWare of the strategies Ho Chi Minh and the
wouldn’t spread to neighboring countries,
Vietcong were pulling off. The U.S. were not
the American troops wouldn’t have another
accustomed to this and they weren’t able to
group of Communists to face along with
adapt from their conventional Warfare tactics
North Vietnam. Without the Vietcong’s
unlike WWII and Korea. So slowly, but surely the
strategies and bloodthirsty attitude, the Tet
American troops started getting weaker and
Offensive would never have occurred.
weaker. Soldiers got injured and sent home, and the Vietcong still remain hidden
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This is a map of the series of tunnels and traps the Vietcong used underground.
IMPORTANT FIGURES
Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh
the Vietcong would use unconventional
Ho Chi Minh was the leader of North Vietnam and led Vietnam in Communism
Richard Nixon
which inspired Dwight D. Eisenhower's
After famously losing the 1960
idea of the Domino Theory. The Domino
election to J.F.K., Richard Nixon became
Theory is that a political event, such as
president following Johnson. He couldn’t
Communism, takes hold in one country, it
have had a better time to restore his
will cause similar events in neighboring
reputation than in the Vietnam War. His
countries, like falling dominos. This is
strategy to win the War was to launch a
exactly what happened in Vietnam, Laos
bombing campaign of North Vietnam. But
and Cambodia. Anyway, back to Minh.
to his dismay his plan to bomb Vietnam as
Minh was the leader of Vietnam during the
much as possible didn’t work at all, in fact
War, he led the Vietcong and outsmarted 2
it made Ho Chi Minh and North Vietnam
U.S. presidents during the War and that is
angrier. And as Communism spread to
why he is responsible for being victorious
Laos and Cambodia, Richard Nixon sent
and making Vietnam a Communist state.
troops to Laos and Cambodia which
Lyndon B. Johnson Lyndon B. Johnson was the 36th President and was Vice President to JFK. He went into office following JFK’s assassination. He brought the U.S. army to Vietnam to fight but, little did he know that
Lyndon Johnson
tactics and wear down our army.
Soldiers being sent by LBJ to fight off the Vietcong
Richard Nixon
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wasn’t a place where Americans were allowed to go. So, Richard Nixon couldn’t cover that up, (Just like Watergate) and he started losing support for the War.
THE VIETNAM WAR HAS TAKEN A DIRTY TURN. VIETCONG AND COMMUNISM SPREADS AND BEGIN WHAT WAS A HOLIDAY INTO A NIGHTMARE The Tet Offensive was one of the most vicious things in the Vietnam War and effected thousands of lives... On January 31st, 1968 the Vietcong organized over 100 attacks on towns and cities in South Vietnam. The Communist planned this rebellion to encourage South Vietnam to join Communism and to for America to hold back on their bombing attacks. While troops tried to stop the attack Americans watched in horror on live television. Despite Americas power, North Vietnam came with a strategic victory and began turning point in the War.
IMPACTS OF THE Tet OFFENSIVE Although Tet didn’t inspire Southern Vietnamese, it did achieve success in strategy and combat and because of this, the U.S. grew even weaker then before and the was a big advantage for Communism and North
The damage caused by the Tet Offensive
Vietnam.
Remembering the Vietnam War The Vietnam War has taken a place in
Dear Mom,
history and a place in thousands of
Life here in Vietnam is really
peoples hearts. It will be remembered for
tough. I’m having trouble dealing with
our loses and its history. We are very
the loss of one of my best friends,
The Tet Offensive In motion
fortunate that the people of the 21st
Johnson. Can you give some advice?
The Tet Offensive was brought to
century don’t have to face the countless
life on January 31st, 1968 as Vietcong forces attacked the first 13 cities. Suddenly the Vietcong started attacks
Love Richie
problems the people of that time did. We should always remember this time and keep it at the bottom of our hearts.
military bases, businesses, government buildings. The Vietcong
Dear Richie, I think that it is nice you care for him, but there are a lot of other problems that you are facing.
used the element of surprise to their advantage and spread out all of their
Thousands of soldiers die in battle and we should remember them. But focus
attacks as seen on the top right.
on other things I miss you. Love Mom,
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[5]
Work Sited Rice, Earle. The Tet Offensive. San Diego: Lucent, 1996. Print. Myers, Walter Dean. Fallen Angels. New York: Scholastic, 1988. Print. "Vietnam War History." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.
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Lexicon Organizer
The Vietnam W
Choose 20 words from your bookmark that BEST REFLECT the historical time period in which your book take ORGANIZE the words in ALPHABETICAL ORDER!!!
Word
Part of Speech (noun, verb, adj)
Definition (in context with the story)
Sentence from book & Page #
How is this w meaningful to time period of y book? Explai
1. Alpha
Noun
The first letter of the military alphabet
“We had reached Alpha Company in the boonies and were sitting in the commanding officers’ hooch.” Page 32
This helps show ho people talked at th time.
2.Appendicitis
Noun
A serious medical condition where the appendix feels pain
“I thought I was having an attack of appendicitis.”Page 88
These were some medical problems people had in Vietn
3. Artillery
Noun
large caliber guns used in warfare on land.
“If you hunt a squirrel with a rifle, what do you hunt a bear with? Artillery.” 49
This is what people called guns at the t
4.Boonie
Noun
Short for boondocks
“We headed towards the boonies."
This is what the outlands were calle
5. Bravo
Noun
The second letter in the military alphabet (In this case.)
“Sergeant Wolcott from Bravo Company was sergeant of the guard, and he came to give us a pep talk.” 70
This is how soldier talked at the time.
6.Comrade
Noun
A companion during a time of war.
“We looked around and we couldn’t find any other comrades.” 178
This is what friends were called in warf
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Lexicon Organizer
The Vietn
Choose 20 words from your bookmark that BEST REFLECT the historical time period in which your ORGANIZE the words in ALPHABETICAL ORDER!!! 7. Cigarette
Noun
A cylinder of paper with finely cut tobacco rolled for smoking.
“‘Then he asked me for a cigarette It shows and we was sitting there smoking
did and w like back
when the captain came in.” Page 47
8. Communist
Noun
A person that believes in the principles of communism
“We were supposed to pass it It shows around that anybody who was a struggle communist and wanted to change would be on our side.”
9. The domino theory
Noun
The idea that if a political event happens in one country the neighboring countries will do the same.
“Lobel said something about the domino theory, how if Vietnam fell to the Communists then the rest of Asia might fall as well.” Page 77
10. Harlem
Noun
A place in New York “‘New York,’ I said. ‘Harlem.’”
This is w soldiers c my book.
11. Hooch
Noun
A shelter
“We had reached Alpha Company in the boonies and were sitting in the commanding officers’ hooch.” Page 32
This is w called ba shelters i
12. Latrine
Noun
A toilet used in
“We found some shade,
This is w
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This is w Vietnam commun and Cam because neighbor
Lexicon Organizer
The V
Choose 20 words from your bookmark that BEST REFLECT the historical time period in which ORGANIZE the words in ALPHABETICAL ORDER!!!
camps
dropped our gear, and Jenkins and Johnson went looking for a latrine.” Page 30
calle
That diffe weap
13. Magazines
Noun
A chamber of which bullets are kept in a gun.
“Once they saw him, they put down their magazines and gathered around him.” Page 45
14. Medic
Noun
Short for medical doctor.
“He got up right away to look for Peop a medic.” Page 88 med
15. NVA
NOun
North Vietnam soldier
“We saw a dead NVA soldier lying on the ground.” PAge 183
This were
16. Poncho
Noun
A special type of rain jacket
“It started raining again and I needed my poncho.”
It rai Vietn soldi ponc
17. Rice Paddy
Noun
A field of which rich can be grown
“We were on flat ground going along a row of rice paddies.” Page 39
This cultu
18. R.P.G.
Noun
Rocket Propelled Grenade.
“We looked around and got out This our R.P.Gs.” what as w
19. Sergeant
Noun
A noncommissioned ‘“Don’t think about anything,’ officer in war Sergeant Simpson had said.’” 193
This millit
20. Vietcong
Noun
A communist soldier ‘“Have you seen any Vietcong,’
Thes
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Lexicon Organizer
The Vietnam W
Choose 20 words from your bookmark that BEST REFLECT the historical time period in which your book ta ORGANIZE the words in ALPHABETICAL ORDER!!! fighting for Vietnam. I asked.” page 9
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the U.S. fought a