US involvement in Vietnam
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the reasons why the US became more involved in Vietnam.
Key learning points
- America’s involvement in Vietnam escalated up to 1968, with successive presidents committing more troops to the war.
- Support for their country’s involvement in Vietnam was initially high in America, but diminished as the war dragged on.
- Large-scale protests against the war in Vietnam became more and more frequent in America.
Keywords
Engagement - in this context, an engagement is a fight or battle between armed forces
Protest - a protest is a statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something
Common misconception
Americans were supportive of any war against a communist country.
Many Americans did support action against communists but an increasing number did not support the manner in which their country was fighting
Teacher tip
At the start of the lesson, have students summarise their learning from each of the previous five lessons in the unit in the form of a picture or symbol and five key words. This will help consolidate their understanding of the unit as a whole.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does the 'S' stand for in Johnson's BEAST approach to the war in Vietnam?
Q2.Complete the sentence: Vietcong fighters were able to hide from US and ARVN troops in sophisticated systems.
Q3.What is meant by the term 'hotspot' in warfare?
Q4.Complete the sentence with the correct year: The Tet Offensive began on 31st January ...
Q5.Approximately how many US soldiers lost their lives during the Tet Offensive?
Q6.How did the Tet Offensive affect President Johnson's political career?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why can it be considered unexpected that the US supported the French in their effort to regain control of French Indochina?
Q2.Place the US presidents that were involved in Vietnam in the order in which they were in office.
Q3.Complete the sentence: Eisenhower's belief in the theory meant that he was willing to support Diem's corrupt government if it could prevent communism from spreading.
Q4.Which president authorised the use of napalm and Agent Orange in the Vietnam War?
Q5.Under Johnson, how many US troops were in Vietnam by 1968?
Q6.Complete the sentence: in the summer of 1967, 100 000 Vietnam War protesters took part in a demonstration dubbed the 'March to the ...'.
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: US involvement in Vietnam, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: US involvement in Vietnam, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the The USA, 1954–75 conflict at home and abroad unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.