Ch 6: Major Battles & Offensives of the Vietnam War
About This Chapter
Major Battles & Offensives of the Vietnam War - Chapter Summary and Learning Objectives
Let instructors show you some of the strategies behind major offensives launched by the U.S. as well as North and South Vietnamese forces. You can also learn about the cost of these campaigns in terms of human casualties and analyze their impact on the course of the war. This chapter can teach you about:
- Initial clashes between South Vietnamese forces and the National Liberation Front (NLF)
- Outcomes of early engagements between the U.S., the NLF and the People's Army of Vietnam
- Objectives of the North Vietnamese's major offensives
- The effectiveness of U.S. search-and-destroy operations
| Video | Objectives |
|---|---|
| The Battle of Ap Bac: Causes and Impacts | Discuss the first major engagement between the Army of the Republic of Vietnam and the National Liberation Front. |
| U.S. Marine Corps vs. the National Liberation Front: Operation Starlite | Examine the outcomes of the U.S. Marine Corps' first engagement with the National Liberation Front. |
| Battle for the La Drang Valley: The U.S. Army vs. the People's Army of Vietnam | Analyze the first major American battle of the Vietnam War, which witnessed fighting between the U.S. and the People's Army of Vietnam. |
| Operation Masher/White Wing: Description, Phases & Strategies | Investigate the effectiveness of one of the larger operations to employ the search-and-destroy strategy. |
| Operation Junction City: Airborne Engagement During the Vietnam War | Study the Vietnam War's only airborne engagement. |
| The Tet Offensive: The First Major Offensive from North Vietnam | Analyze North Vietnam's first major offensive and its preliminary siege at Khe Sanh. Outline the objectives of North Vietnamese forces. |
| The My Lai Massacre: Causes and Significance | Survey causes of the American-led massacre at the My Lai hamlet. |
| The Easter Offensive of 1972: North Vietnam Attacks the South | Examine the second major offensive conducted by the North Vietnamese against South Vietnam. |
1. Major Battles & Offensives of the Vietnam War: Learning Objectives & Activities
This chapter will teach about the major battles that took place during the Vietnam War. You can use the key questions and learning activities to apply your knowledge after watching the lessons.
2. The Battle of Ap Bac: Causes and Impacts
The Battle of Ap Bac was the first significant engagement between tenets of North and South Vietnam. Learn about the battle, including the cause, the tactics and its impact on the Vietnam War in this lesson.
3. US Marine Corps vs the National Liberation Front: Operation Starlite
Operation Starlite represented the first major battle between the United States Marine Corps and the National Liberation Front. Learn about the campaign, including its strategy, engagement and outcome.
4. Battle for the Ia Drang Valley: The US Army vs The People's Army of Vietnam
The Battle for the Ia Drang Valley in 1965 was the first confrontation between the United States Army and the People's Army of Vietnam. Learn about the battle including the planning, combat and outcome in this lesson.
5. Operation Masher/White Wing: Description, Phases & Strategies
Operation Masher/White Wing embodied the concept of search-and-destroy during the Vietnam War. Learn more about Masher/White Wing, including its multi-phase strategy, engagements and results, in this lesson.
6. Operation Junction City: Airborne Engagement During the Vietnam War
Operation Junction City was a major search-and-destroy campaign led by the United States Army during 1967. Learn about the operation, including the use of American paratroopers, the battles and the results, in this video lesson.
7. The Tet Offensive: The First Major Offensive from North Vietnam
The Tet Offensive marked the first major conventional invasion by North Vietnam on South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Learn more about the invasion, including the planning, execution and outcome of the offensive.
8. The My Lai Massacre: Causes and Significance
The My Lai Massacre was a deviation from the normal military campaigns of the United States in the Vietnam War. Learn about the atrocity including its background, the events and its importance within the war in this lesson.
9. Primary Source: Ron Ridenhour's Letter about the My Lai Massacre
Of all the controversies of the Vietnam War, none were greater than the My Lai Massacre in 1968. American soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians, including women, children, and infants.
10. The Easter Offensive of 1972: North Vietnam Attacks the South
The Easter Offensive of 1972 was an effort by North Vietnam to eradicate South Vietnam, expedite the American withdrawal and unify the nation. Learn about the planning, execution and outcome of the campaign.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the History 108: History of the Vietnam War course
