Vietnam War: (Part 1) Introduction

Vietnam War: Introduction

Part 1

The Pentagon Papers

A former marine did a study during the Vietnam War and found information that "the government had misled the public about the progress of the war". Some of that information Americans were unaware of was the following:

"Details about American enemies and allies had been kept secret. The facts about the numbers of soldiers and civilians killed had been misreported. Even the financial costs were unclear."

Poll

If you were the person that knew about the true information, what would you do?

• Share the information to the newspapers to save many lives, but you'd likely be put in prison for telling the government's secrets for the rest of your life.

• Do nothing and let the war play out no matter how many soldiers and innocent people died.

The Pentagon Papers uncovered

• Daniel Ellsburg, the former marine who had this info since 1969: FBI wanted him for espionage (spying) on the U.S. government

• In 1971, Ellsburg first sent the docs to the U.S. Secretary of State...nothing happened.

• Ellsburg then sent the papers to the newspapers...and then, the American people knew what was being hidden.

• He was charged with 12 felonies and 115 years in prison

Poll

Do you think what Ellsberg did was wrong?

• Yes, secret information about the government should stay confidential

• No, sometimes secrets need to be told

• He should not have gone to the newspapers, but telling the U.S. Secretary of State was ok.

Charges Dropped

Improper search of Daniel Ellsburg from illegal wire taps.

Open Ended

Why might the government keep war records secret?

Open Ended

How do you think the public reacted to seeing the Pentagon Papers? Why?

The Vietnam War

Today, you will learn about the history of Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh, the leader of Vietnam.

End of this Quizziz lesson.