3.1 - Reasons for US involvement in the conflict in Vietnam, 1954-63

Question 1

When did the French withdraw from Vietnam?

Answer 1

1954

Question 2

Describe the events that led up to the battle at Dien Bien Phu.

Answer 2

• After WW2, French wanted to regain former colony in Vietnam, however the Vietminh (led by Ho Chi Minh) wanted independance and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) was declared. Vietminh controlled the north; French controlled south and fighting broke out between them.
• China supported the Vietminh and the US supported the French; both by giving supplies, advisers and troops.
• Soldiers sent by US not ordered to fight as US reluctant to be involved in war. Yet, by 1954 US support so strong they paid for 80% of the cost of France’s war with the Vietminh.

Question 3

When was the battle at Dien Bien Phu? What was the immediate outcome?

Answer 3

• French and Vietminh fought at Dien Bien Phu in 1954.
• French forced to surrender due to the strength of Vietminh which was a significant reason for the French withdrawal.

Question 4

What were the consequences of the battle at Dien Bien Phu?

Answer 4

• Geneva Conference (1954) attempted to restore peace. The Geneva Accords divided Vietnam into two countries : North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam led by Ho Chi Minh) and South Vietnam (State of Vietnam led by Bao Dai until 1955, when Ngo Dinh Diem became president).
• They were seperated by a demilitarised zone.

Question 5

What were the reasons for greater US involvement in Vietnam?

Answer 5

1. Eisenhower and the “domino theory”.
2. Weakness of Diem’s government

Question 6

Describe Eisenhower and the “domino theory”.

Answer 6

• Eisenhower worried if Vietnam became communist, other countries in the region would follow. This was called the “domino theory”.
• Eisenhower set up the Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO) in 1954; its aim was to stop the spread of communism in Southeast Asia.

Question 7

Describe the weaknesses of Diem’s government.

Answer 7

• Diem’s government was unpopular and corrupt; it had little respect for the rural population and Buddhists (made majority of population).
• Different revolutionary groups, collectively called the “Vietcong”, developed in South Vietnam to fight against Diem’s government. North Vietnam backed the VC.
• Eisenhower supported Diem by sending advisers to train the South Vietnamese Army (ARVN) to fight the VC (Eisenhower did not send troops as he did not want to risk nuclear war with China and USSR).

Question 8

When did Kennedy become president of the USA?

Answer 8

1961

Question 9

How was there greater US involvement with Vietnam under Kennedy?

Answer 9

• He wanted to avoid direct military contact however he recognized that VC were gaining ground.
• Sent more advisers to South Vietnam.
• He authorised the use of chemical sprays (Agent Orange) to kill jungle areas where VC were hiding in from 1961 (Operation Ranch Hand).
• Changed tactics to searching VC fighters, not just trying to draw them into battle.

Question 10

What were the US concerns about Diem?

Answer 10

• Kennedy had concerns about Diem’s effectiveness as leader of South Vietnam.
• In Jan 1963, the ARVN lost the Battle of Ap Bac, even though they had US air support and 5x as many soldiers as VC.
• US media reported battle as a defeat; Kennedy worried about negative publicity of Diem’s leadership.

Question 11

What were further ways Diem’s unpopularity grew?

Answer 11

• May 1963 : Diem’s government fired at a Buddhist procession.
• June 1963 : Buddhist monk self-immolated (burned himself to death) in protest about Diem’s government. Protest generated worldwide publicity.

Question 12

What occurred due to Diem’s increasing unpopularity?

Answer 12

• Kennedy put pressure on Diem’s government to make peace with Buddhists; this was ignored.
• Kennedy made it obvious that he had withdrawn all support for his leadership.
• In November 1963, ARVN generals overthrew and assassinated Diem; USA did not intevene.

Question 13

When was the Strategic Hamlet Program? What was it?

Answer 13

• 1962
• Diem and USA built new villages to house locals away from Vietcong, so VC could not recruit them to fight. The aim was to create support for the government and provide security for the villagers.

Question 14

How did the Strategic Hamlet Program make the USA more unpopular in South Vietnam?

Answer 14

• ARVN forcibly relocated villagers as they did not want to leave their ancestral homes.
• There was not enough food or basic provisions in some of the new villages and many villagers starved to death.