177. The Vietnam War: Lyndon Johnson, Americanisation, and Operation Rolling Thunder

The podcast explores the complexities of the Vietnam War, focusing on key decisions and turning points from the early 1960s through the Americanization of the conflict. It examines the motivations and constraints faced by leaders like JFK and LBJ, highlighting the internal debates within the US government regarding intervention. The discussion covers the assassinations of Diem and JFK, the growing instability in South Vietnam, and the Tet Offensive. Fredrik Logevall, author of *Embers of War*, provides historical context, analyzing the strategic miscalculations and the human cost of the war for both Americans and Vietnamese. The conversation also touches on the political and social divisions within the US, fueled by the escalating conflict.

Outlines

Part 1: Context, Coup, and Crisis

Part 2: Leadership Transition and Escalation

Part 3: Americanization and Military Strategy

Part 4: Human Cost and Tactical Struggles

Part 5: The Turning Point and Tet Offensive

Part 6: Political Fallout and Conclusion

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Empire: World History

Part 1: Context, Coup, and Crisis

Introduction to the Vietnam War Series and Guest Fredrik Logevall

The Shocking Image of a Self-Immolating Monk and the US Dilemma

Kennedy's Green Light to Diem's Coup and the Growing Insurgency

The Assassination of Diem and Nhu and Kennedy's Reaction

Part 2: Leadership Transition and Escalation

Speculating on a Surviving Kennedy and Introducing Lyndon B. Johnson

Johnson's Determination to Not Lose South Vietnam and Its Impact

Johnson's Plans to Americanize the Conflict and Allied Skepticism

Ho Chi Minh's Reaction to Diem's Death and the Pleiku Attack

Part 3: Americanization and Military Strategy

Operation Rolling Thunder and the Gloomy Realism Behind Closed Doors

Escalation of Troops, Domestic Policy Conflicts, and LBJ's Frustrations

Leaders Painting Themselves into a Corner and Life in North Vietnam

Social Structure in North Vietnam and the Scramble for Honor in Vietnam

Part 4: Human Cost and Tactical Struggles

The Devastating Scale of Bombing and Casualties in Vietnam

The Ho Chi Minh Trail and the "If It's Dead and Vietnamese, It's Vietcong" Mentality

The Loss of Territory in the South and LBJ's Nightmare

Part 5: The Turning Point and Tet Offensive

LBJ's Trapped Feeling and the Racial Disparity in the Draft

The Youth Devoured by War and the Tet Offensive

Le Duan's Rise to Power and Ho Chi Minh's Declining Influence

The Tet Offensive's Impact on American Disaffection and LBJ's Plummeting Approval

Part 6: Political Fallout and Conclusion

LBJ's Exhaustion, Depression, and Decision Not to Seek Re-election

LBJ's Preference for Nixon and Conclusion of the Episode

177. The Vietnam War: Lyndon Johnson, Americanisation, and Operation Rolling Thunder

Empire: World History

Part 1: Context, Coup, and Crisis

00:00Introduction to the Vietnam War Series and Guest Fredrik Logevall

Introduction to the Vietnam War Series and Guest Fredrik Logevall

01:14The Shocking Image of a Self-Immolating Monk and the US Dilemma

The Shocking Image of a Self-Immolating Monk and the US Dilemma

03:38Kennedy's Green Light to Diem's Coup and the Growing Insurgency

Kennedy's Green Light to Diem's Coup and the Growing Insurgency

06:42The Assassination of Diem and Nhu and Kennedy's Reaction

The Assassination of Diem and Nhu and Kennedy's Reaction

Part 2: Leadership Transition and Escalation

08:37Speculating on a Surviving Kennedy and Introducing Lyndon B. Johnson

Speculating on a Surviving Kennedy and Introducing Lyndon B. Johnson

11:21Johnson's Determination to Not Lose South Vietnam and Its Impact

Johnson's Determination to Not Lose South Vietnam and Its Impact

13:53Johnson's Plans to Americanize the Conflict and Allied Skepticism

Johnson's Plans to Americanize the Conflict and Allied Skepticism

16:25Ho Chi Minh's Reaction to Diem's Death and the Pleiku Attack

Ho Chi Minh's Reaction to Diem's Death and the Pleiku Attack

Part 3: Americanization and Military Strategy

19:14Operation Rolling Thunder and the Gloomy Realism Behind Closed Doors

Operation Rolling Thunder and the Gloomy Realism Behind Closed Doors

21:20Escalation of Troops, Domestic Policy Conflicts, and LBJ's Frustrations

Escalation of Troops, Domestic Policy Conflicts, and LBJ's Frustrations

24:14Leaders Painting Themselves into a Corner and Life in North Vietnam

Leaders Painting Themselves into a Corner and Life in North Vietnam

27:30Social Structure in North Vietnam and the Scramble for Honor in Vietnam

Social Structure in North Vietnam and the Scramble for Honor in Vietnam

Part 4: Human Cost and Tactical Struggles

30:32The Devastating Scale of Bombing and Casualties in Vietnam

The Devastating Scale of Bombing and Casualties in Vietnam

33:34The Ho Chi Minh Trail and the "If It's Dead and Vietnamese, It's Vietcong" Mentality

The Ho Chi Minh Trail and the "If It's Dead and Vietnamese, It's Vietcong" Mentality

36:18The Loss of Territory in the South and LBJ's Nightmare

The Loss of Territory in the South and LBJ's Nightmare

Part 5: The Turning Point and Tet Offensive

39:34LBJ's Trapped Feeling and the Racial Disparity in the Draft

LBJ's Trapped Feeling and the Racial Disparity in the Draft

42:51The Youth Devoured by War and the Tet Offensive

The Youth Devoured by War and the Tet Offensive

45:02Le Duan's Rise to Power and Ho Chi Minh's Declining Influence

Le Duan's Rise to Power and Ho Chi Minh's Declining Influence

47:48The Tet Offensive's Impact on American Disaffection and LBJ's Plummeting Approval

The Tet Offensive's Impact on American Disaffection and LBJ's Plummeting Approval

Part 6: Political Fallout and Conclusion

51:41LBJ's Exhaustion, Depression, and Decision Not to Seek Re-election

LBJ's Exhaustion, Depression, and Decision Not to Seek Re-election

54:41LBJ's Preference for Nixon and Conclusion of the Episode

LBJ's Preference for Nixon and Conclusion of the Episode