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Lesson Plan
US National Archives

National Archives: Lesson Plans Congress, the President, and the War Powers

For Teachers 10th - 12th Standards
Examine the power of Congress to make war by studying primary source documents from various wars throughout U.S. history. Students will analyze how the balance of authority between the legislative branch and executive branch has changed...
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Primary
George Washington University

National Security Archive: Kennedy Considered Supporting Coup in S. Vietnam

For Students 9th - 10th
A fascinating look into recently declassified tapes and documents that traced President John Kennedy's thinking on whether the United States should support a military coup against South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem in the summer of...
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Primary
Vassar College

Vassar College: The Wars for Vietnam: The Documents

For Students 9th - 10th
Document excerpts from the years 1954-1973 demonstrating U.S. support of South Vietnam. Includes links to other Vietnam sources.
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Handout
Flow of History

Flow of History: The Height of the Cold War (1957 72)

For Students 9th - 10th
The events surrounding the Cold War at its very height are the focus. Text plus a colored graphic flowchart make the topic visually appealing and of interest to both students and educators.
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Graphic
Flow of History

Flow of History: American Foreign Policy and Vietnam War (1954 75)

For Students 9th - 10th
The foreign policy of the United States and the Vietnam War are the focus. Text plus a colored graphic flowchart make the topic visually appealing and of interest to both students and educators.
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Article
Other

Cross Currents: Abraham Joshua Heschel

For Students 9th - 10th
This fond description of Heschel was written by one of his students. The article highlights Heschel's fight against racism and the Vietnam War.
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Primary
Other

In Retrospect: The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam

For Students 9th - 10th
Read excerpts from Robert McNamara's book "In Retrospect: The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam", in his words, "the book I was never supposed to write".
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Primary
Other

Funk and tepo.com: Operation Attleboro

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides one soldier's perspective of the largest battle of the Vietnam War at that time: "The Battle of Dau Tieng or Dong Minh Chau," code named, "Operation Attleboro."
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Website
Other

Cambodia: Beauty and Darkness

For Students 9th - 10th
Site about Cambodia is run by volunteers in the memory of those killed during the Khmer Rouge period. Oral histories, a five-part article about Cambodia's history, sets of photos, facts about traveling and statistical information make...
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Graphic
Other

Fall of Saigon

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides many personal accounts of the fall of Saigon from Marines involved in the evacuations. Pictures are also included.
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Website
University of Missouri

Famous Trials: The Pentagon Papers Trial

For Students 9th - 10th
When is the freedom of the press more important than classified foreign policy information? The Pentagon Papers Trial attempts to answer this constitutional quandary. Included in this site is a summary of the trial, the actual Pentagon...
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PPT
Virginia History Series

Virgina History Series: Virginia State History Post Wwii to Present Day [Pdf]

For Students 6th - 8th
Visualize the major events in the last half of the 20th century such as major wars and civil rights issues through the lens of the state of Virginia. In addition, learn about the pop culture of this time specifically in Virginia. Enjoy...
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PPT
University of North Carolina

University of North Carolina: Vietnam War [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
A presentation covering the history of the Vietnam War beginning with the war for independence from France when it was a French colony. Covers the Geneva Accord and the war between the North and the South and how America became involved....
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Article
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: Richard M. Nixon: Foreign Affairs

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview of the foreign policy of the Nixon administration with a focus on China, the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty with the U.S.S.R., and Vietnam.
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Website
Other

Kentucky Historical Society: Kentucky Military Treasures

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of personal stories, illustrated with artifacts, documents, and photographs, that exemplifies the military experiences of Kentuckians in America's wars, beginning with the War of 1812. Requires Adobe Flash.
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Primary
Mount Holyoke College

Mc George Bundy, a Policy of Sustained Reprisal

For Students 9th - 10th
The text of the policy of sustained reprisal from "The Pentagon Papers," covers introductory remarks, an outline of the policy, the expected effect of sustained reprisal policy, and present action recommendations.
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Article
PBS

Pbs News Hour: Carter's Pardon

For Students 9th - 10th
Here is a look back on the aftermatch of the Vietnam War. Some thoughts from experts on the issue of Jimmy Carter's pardon of Vietnam draft dodgers.
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Website
Other

Vietnam War Bibliography

For Students 9th - 10th
A great resource for print resources on the Vietnam War. The Table of Contents provide a good organizational tool of bibliographic information for anyone trying to understand the conflict.
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Primary
Vassar College

Vassar.edu: Mc George Bundy's Memo to President Johnson

For Students 9th - 10th
Excerpts from Bundy's memo to Johnson, advocating "sustained reprisal against North Vietnam" in response to the NLF attack on two U.S. army installations.
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Primary
Vassar College

Vassar: Wars for Viet Nam: Mc Namara Report to Kennedy

For Students 9th - 10th
Text of memo recommending significant involvement by U.S. forces in Vietnam by one of the principal architects of the war, Robert S. McNamara.
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Primary
Vassar College

Vassar: Eisenhower's Letter of Support to Ngo Dinh Diem

For Students 9th - 10th
Text of a letter sent from U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower to Diem.
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Primary
Vassar College

Vassar.edu: Excerpts From Law 10/59, May 6, 1959

For Students 9th - 10th
Excerpts of laws that Diem imposed on his people in Vietnam.
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Primary
Other

Photographer's Diary April 20 30, 1975: Fall of Saigon

For Students 9th - 10th
Read the detailed personal account of the fall of Saigon in 1975 by experienced photojournalist Dirck Halstead of Time magazine. Provides an individual's perspective as well as reporting important political and military events in a...
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Unit Plan
Virginia Tech

Digital History Reader: Who Won? Student Protest and Politics of Campus Dissent

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore American college students' political views, convictions, and concerns in the midst of the war in Vietnam through several articles, images, further reading, and writing assignments. Student protests on campuses across the nation...