Big Question 4 - Why did the USA become involved in Vietnam? Flashcards
What is containment?
Preventing the spread of something
What was the USA’s containment policy called?
The Truman Doctrine
What did the Truman Doctrine state?
The USA’s policy on preventing the spread of communism internationally - that for every communist action, there would be an equal or greater American action
Which European country did America support in Vietnam?
France
What organisation was established to fight against French colonial rule in Indochina?
Viet Minh
How much did the USA fund the French was effort against the Viet Minh in Vietnam?
$500 million / year
Why did the USA fund the French in Indochina despite their anti-colonial stance?
They wished to remain on the good side of countries in Western Europe to maintain a unified defence against the expansion of communism in Europe
Who initially armed, trained, and funded the Viet Minh?
The USA
Why did the USA initially aid the Viet Minh?
To attempt to remove colonialism from around the world at a time when it was an equally prevalent issue in America’s mind to communism
What was the leader installed by the USA in South Vietnam called?
Ngo Dinh Diem
Why did Eisenhower and subsequently JFK support Diem?
He was staunchly anti-communist
How much financial aid did the USA provide Diem’s government?
$1.6 billion
Why did Vietnamese peasants dislike Diem?
He was anti-Buddhist, treated the peasant population of South Vietnam with little regard, and was highly corrupt
Which monk publicly cremated himself in opposition to Diem’s treatment of the Buddhist population?
Thiq Quang Duc
What was American politics highly focused on in the 1950’s and 1960’s?
Communism
How could presidential candidates easily obtain votes?
Being tough on communism and promising strong, anti-communist policy such as ‘protecting’ South Vietnam
Which presidential candidates ran with a strong anti-communist message?
Eisenhower and JFK
What is the Military-Industrial Complex?
The interaction whereby arms manufacturing companies are funded by the military and therefore have an interest in lobbying the military to go to war for self-interest and financial gain.
Which president warned the USA to be aware of the influence of a growing Military-Industrial Complex?
Eisenhower
Why might American companies have lobbied to have the CIA train and arm the Viet Minh?
The Viet Minh would be provided with weapons purchased from those companies
What was the Domino Theory?
If one country was allowed to fall to communism, the countries around it were sure to follow
Which countries were American officials worried might turn to communism if Vietnam united under a communist government?
Laos, Cambodia, Burma, Thailand, and India
What doctrine was domino theory an integral part of?
The Truman Doctrine
