The Vietnam War
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Henry Kissinger
Nixon's National Security Advisor and Secretary of State.
advocated the bombing of Cambodia
helped develop "Vietnamization" policy
won the Nobel Peace Prize because he negotiated the cease-fire agreement with Le Duc Tho in 1973.
Richard Nixon
U.S. President 1969-1974
policy of "Vietnamization," withdrawal of U.S. troops and replace them with South Vietnamese army.
became the first president to resign from office following watergate scandal.
William Westmoreland
U.S. General
leader of American forces in Vietnam
was unimpressed by the South Vietnamese allies and continually asked for more troops to be sent
Ho Chi Minh
Communist –Totalitarian
North Vietnam
Popular because he gave land to peasants
Supported Viet Cong in South Vietnam.
John F. Kennedy
U.S. President 1961-1963
Believed in the Domino Theory
Increased the number of military advisors and army special forces, or Green Berets.
Advisors were not to take part in combat, but many did.
Assassinated in November 1963.
Dwight Eisenhower
U.S. President 1953-1961
Domino Theory; aided French forces at regaining control after WWII.
Began sending money and weapons to South Vietnam
sent Military advisors to train South Vietnamese army
Lyndon B. Johnson
U.S. President 1963-1969
Believed an expanded U.S. effort was the only way to prevent a Communist victory in Vietnam
Asked Congress to pass the Tonkin Gulf Resolution
Ngo Dinh Diem
Anti-communist
South Vietnam
Unpopular because seen as corrupt, brutal and favored wealthy. –Refused to partake in 1956 nationwide election.
Executed by U.S. backed military coup.
Le Duc Tho
directed Viet Cong military efforts in South Vietnam from 1955-75.
negotiated a cease-fire with Henry Kissinger in 1973
refused the Nobel Peace Prize, which he and Kissinger were awarded jointly.
Robert McNamara
U.S. Secretary of Defense user JFK and LBJ
supported increased U.S. involvement in Vietnam initially.
By 1967, he openly supported a peaceful solution to the conflict.
Click the Vietnam Online picture to visit PBS's American Experience Who's Who page. It lists all the key people by country and gives Biographies.