Intended to justify the U.S. presence in Vietnam, GUARDIANS AT THE GATE presents an overview of the war, framed by the words of President Lyndon Johnson. The films opens with footage of bombs exploding in Vietnam (:28). This war, we are informed was created by North Vietnam and spurred by Communism (:46) as the mission was to conquer South Vietnam. The prime minister of the North, Ho Chi Minh, is shown in 1954 at his headquarters (1:05). For seven years, he had fought against the French (1:34). Yet French resistance collapses as they no longer have to means to continue (1:45). In Geneva, the Soviet foreign minister is present as one of the two Communist countries (2:09) in addition to thirteen other nations which all agree to recognize the sovereignity of Vietnam. The agreement creates two Vietnam’s divided by the 17th Parallel (2:38). As Communist troops enter into Hanoi, nearly a half million refugees flee south (2:50). South Vietnam’s first leader, Ngo Dinh Diem (3:26) opposes Communism and citizens rally behind him as the country prospers. Despite aggression as the North invades (3:56), the South had been able to double it’s yield of rice and enough cotton is produced in textile plants for everyone (4:10). However, in the North, women are rationed to 25 yards of cotton annually (4:18). Buddhist’s demonstrate against Diem for a stronger representation in the government (4:49). In 1963, Diem is overthrown and killed, triggering a series of military coups (4:59). Unrest continues as a new general emerges (5:04).

Communist guerrillas commit terrorist attacks (5:19) and the US begins to participate more actively in the conflict (5:28). A State Department White Paper (5:52) details the South’s plight as North Vietnam campaigns to conquer them. Captured documents from a sunk armoured cargo ship are proven to have originated from Northern Vietnam as well as Czechoslovakia and China (6:09). They proove Hanoi’s aggression. Russia’s Kosygin and other Soviet leaders meet and agree to do whatever is necessary to conquer South Vietnam (6:40). In February of 1965, the Vietcong carry out attacks hitting three American bases as eight servicemen are killed and 125 are injured (7:13). This spurs 18,000 American military and civilian dependants to be sent home (7:25). The US and Southern Vietnam plan an aerial strike on the North (7:36) hitting the chief strategy area of the Vietcong (7:49). The footage then shown had been released from Hanoi and taken during the bombing of Hanoi and shooting down of a US plane (8:04). Aircraft over Saigon signify a change in government (8:16) and the Army and Navy forces organize a coup (8:25). In March of 1965, bombs explode in front of the US embassy, killing two Americans and twenty South Vietnamese (8:50). Six nations send aide to South Vietnam (10:16) including 15,000 from North Korea as well as a detachment of Australian volunteers (10:29) and 50,000 more American men. The film is coming to a close as President Johnson announces “We did not choose to be the guardians at the gate, but there is no one else… we will not surrender…will not retreat…this is why we are in Vietnam,” (11:13). This film was presented by Security National Bank and Motor Bank (12:22).

We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! See something interesting? Tell people what it is and what they can see by writing something for example: “01:00:12:00 — President Roosevelt is seen meeting with Winston Churchill at the Quebec Conference.”

This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com

On July 28, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson gave a speech outlining an escalation in American involvement in Vietnam. The arguments Johnson presented were later characterized as a statement of “Why We are in Vietnam”. This short, entitled “Guardians at the Gate”, uses Johnson’s speech as voice-over to graphically illustrate American goals in the war. It concludes with a fateful announcement: “I have today ordered to Vietnam the Air Mobile Division and certain other forces which will raise our fighting strength from 75,000 to 125,000 men almost immediately. Additional forces will be needed later, and they will be sent as requested. This will make it necessary to increase our active fighting forces by raising the monthly draft call from 17,000 over a period of time to 35,000 per month, and for us to step up our campaign for voluntary enlistments.”

Intended to justify the U.S. presence in Vietnam, GUARDIANS AT THE GATE presents an overview of the war, framed by the words of President Lyndon Johnson. The films opens with footage of bombs exploding in Vietnam (:28). This war, we are informed was created by North Vietnam and spurred by Communism (:46) as the mission was to conquer South Vietnam. The prime minister of the North, Ho Chi Minh, is shown in 1954 at his headquarters (1:05). For seven years, he had fought against the French (1:34). Yet French resistance collapses as they no longer have to means to continue (1:45). In Geneva, the Soviet foreign minister is present as one of the two Communist countries (2:09) in addition to thirteen other nations which all agree to recognize the sovereignity of Vietnam. The agreement creates two Vietnam’s divided by the 17th Parallel (2:38). As Communist troops enter into Hanoi, nearly a half million refugees flee south (2:50). South Vietnam’s first leader, Ngo Dinh Diem (3:26) opposes Communism and citizens rally behind him as the country prospers. Despite aggression as the North invades (3:56), the South had been able to double it’s yield of rice and enough cotton is produced in textile plants for everyone (4:10). However, in the North, women are rationed to 25 yards of cotton annually (4:18). Buddhist’s demonstrate against Diem for a stronger representation in the government (4:49). In 1963, Diem is overthrown and killed, triggering a series of military coups (4:59). Unrest continues as a new general emerges (5:04).

Communist guerrillas commit terrorist attacks (5:19) and the US begins to participate more actively in the conflict (5:28). A State Department White Paper (5:52) details the South’s plight as North Vietnam campaigns to conquer them. Captured documents from a sunk armoured cargo ship are proven to have originated from Northern Vietnam as well as Czechoslovakia and China (6:09). They proove Hanoi’s aggression. Russia’s Kosygin and other Soviet leaders meet and agree to do whatever is necessary to conquer South Vietnam (6:40). In February of 1965, the Vietcong carry out attacks hitting three American bases as eight servicemen are killed and 125 are injured (7:13). This spurs 18,000 American military and civilian dependants to be sent home (7:25). The US and Southern Vietnam plan an aerial strike on the North (7:36) hitting the chief strategy area of the Vietcong (7:49). The footage then shown had been released from Hanoi and taken during the bombing of Hanoi and shooting down of a US plane (8:04). Aircraft over Saigon signify a change in government (8:16) and the Army and Navy forces organize a coup (8:25). In March of 1965, bombs explode in front of the US embassy, killing two Americans and twenty South Vietnamese (8:50). Six nations send aide to South Vietnam (10:16) including 15,000 from North Korea as well as a detachment of Australian volunteers (10:29) and 50,000 more American men. The film is coming to a close as President Johnson announces “We did not choose to be the guardians at the gate, but there is no one else… we will not surrender…will not retreat…this is why we are in Vietnam,” (11:13). This film was presented by Security National Bank and Motor Bank (12:22).

We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! See something interesting? Tell people what it is and what they can see by writing something for example: “01:00:12:00 — President Roosevelt is seen meeting with Winston Churchill at the Quebec Conference.”

This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com