Vietnam: A Television History; Tet, 1968; Interview with W. W. (Walt Whitman) Rostow, 1981

04/20/1981

Walt Rostow served as Special Assistant for National Security Affairs for Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. In this capacity, he played a significant role in shaping U.S. policy in Southeast Asia. He discusses his optimism for the war through 1967, and even more so after the Tet Offensive. Mr. Rostow describes the positions of fellow administration insiders such as Clark Clifford, Dean Rusk, and the Wise Men. He reflects on Lyndon Johnsons decision not to seek reelection, and the decisions to pursue peace talks and to halt bombings in Vietnam. He gives his opinions of what ultimately went wrong in Vietnam, and the impact that the Vietnam War has had on the United States.

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Series: Vietnam: A Television History
Program: Tet, 1968
Program Number: 107
Title: Interview with W. W. (Walt Whitman) Rostow, 1981
Series Description: This 13 part series covers the history of Vietnam from France's colonial control, through the 1945 revolution, to the 1975 U.S. evacuation from Saigon and the years beyond. The series' objective approach permits viewers to form their own conclusions about the war. 101--Roots of a War--Despite cordial relations between American intelligence officers and Communist leader Ho Chi Minh in the turbulent closing months of World War II, French and British hostility to the Vietnamese revolution laid the groundwork for a new war. 102--The First Vietnam War (1946-1954)--The French generals expected to defeat Ho's rag-tag Vietminh guerrillas easily, but after eight years of fighting and $2.5 billion in U.S. aid, the French lost a crucial battle at Dienbienphu--and with it, their Asian empire. 103--America's Mandarin (1954-1963)--To stop the spread of communism in Southeast Asia, America replaced France in South Vietnam--supporting autocratic President Ngo Dinyh Diem until his own generals turned against him in a coup that brought political chaos to Saigon. 104--LBJ Goes to War (1964-1965)--With Ho Chi Minh determined to reunite Vietnam, Lyndon Baines Johnson determined to prevent it, and South Vietnam on the verge of collapse, the stage was set for massive escalation of the undeclared Vietnam War. 105--America Takes Charge (1965-1967)--In two years, the Johnson Administration's troop build-up dispatched 1.5 million Americans to Vietnam to fight a war they found baffling, tedious, exciting, deadly and unforgettable. 106--America's Enemy (1954-1967)--The Vietnam War as seen from different perspectives: by Vietcong guerrillas and sympathizers; by North Vietnamese leaders; by rank and file; and by American held prisoner in Hanoi. 107--Tet (1968)--The massive enemy offensive at the Lunar New Year decimated the Vietcong and failed to topple the Saigon government, but led to the beginning of America's military withdrawal. 108--Vietnamizing the War (1968-1973)--President Nixon's program of troop pull-outs, stepped-up bombing and huge arms shipments to Saigon changed the war, and left GI's wondering which of them would be the last to die in Vietnam. 109--Cambodia and Laos--Despite technical neutrality, both of Vietnam's smaller neighbors were drawn into the war, suffered massive bombing, and in the case of Cambodia, endured a post-war holocaust of nightmare proportions. 110--Peace is at Hand (1968-1973)--While American and Vietnamese continued to clash in battle, diplomats in Paris argued about making peace, after more than four years reaching an accord that proved to be a preface to further bloodshed. 111--Homefront USA--Americans at home divide over a distant war, clashing in the streets as demonstrations lead to bloodshed, bitterness and increasing doubts about the outcome. 112--The End of the Tunnel (1973-1975)--Through troubled years of controversy and violence, U.S. casualties mounted, victory remained elusive and American opinion moved from general approval to general dissatisfaction with the Vietnam war. 113--Legacies--Vietnam is in the Soviet orbit, poorer than ever, at war on two fronts; America's legacy includes more than one half million Asian refugees, one half million Vietnam veterans and some questions that won't go away. Series release date: 9/1983
Program Description: The massive enemy offensive at the Lunar New Year decimated the Vietcong and failed to topple the Saigon government, but led to the beginning of America's military withdrawal.
Duration: 00:48:31
Asset Type: Raw video
Media Type: Video
Subjects: Watergate Affair, 1972-1974; Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American; Rusk, Dean, 1909-1994; Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Mass media and the war; Bombing, Aerial--Vietnam; United States--History--1945-; United States--Armed Forces; United States--Foreign relations--Treaties; Vietnam--History--1945-1975; Tet Offensive, 1968; Presidents--Messages; Rostow, W. W. (Walt Whitman), 1916-; Cabinet officers; Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Influence; Morale; Vietnam War, 1961-1975; Vietnam--Politics and government; Vietnam (Republic); Logistics; Strategy; Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines), 1908-1973; United States--Politics and government; Presidents--Election; Vietnam (Democratic Republic)
Locations: LBJ Library, Austin, TX
Genres: Documentary
Topics: War and Conflict
Creators: Ellison, Richard (Series Producer)
Contributors: Rostow, W. W. (Walt Whitman), 1916- (Interviewee)
Publication Information: WGBH Educational Foundation
Citation: Chicago: “Vietnam: A Television History; Tet, 1968; Interview with W. W. (Walt Whitman) Rostow, 1981,” 04/20/1981, GBH Archives, accessed December 22, 2024, http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_933687866A3B451CAEAE44C48140DEC2.; MLA: “Vietnam: A Television History; Tet, 1968; Interview with W. W. (Walt Whitman) Rostow, 1981.” 04/20/1981. GBH Archives. Web. December 22, 2024. <http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_933687866A3B451CAEAE44C48140DEC2>.; APA: Vietnam: A Television History; Tet, 1968; Interview with W. W. (Walt Whitman) Rostow, 1981. Boston, MA: GBH Archives. Retrieved from http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_933687866A3B451CAEAE44C48140DEC2

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Vietnam: A Television History; Tet, 1968; Interview with W. W. (Walt Whitman) Rostow, 1981