Cause Paragraph

Question 1

When and where did US military Intervention in Vietnam take place

Answer 1

March 8th, 1965, when the first Navy ship of Marines landed on Vietnamese soil at Da Nang

Question 2

Explain US Policy of containment

Answer 2

The Cold War, on the side of the US, was to stop the spread of communism as quickly as possible.
The domino theory came about as communism spread across Asia, suggesting that if one government became communist, neighbouring countries would also become it, each falling like a line of dominos.
The Truman Doctrine was a policy of containment that urged the US government to stop the spread of the Soviet Union and communism.

Question 3

The spread of communism in Asia (evidence)

Answer 3

1949 - 1953
First China, then North Korea. The US helped South Korea repel the communists, showing that US military intervention could stop the spread of communism.

Question 4

The US supported the French in the First Indochina War

Answer 4

They feared communist leadership of the Viet Minh under Ho Cho Minh.
Between 1950 - 54 the US spent $2.6 billion in helping France, this was 80% of the total cost of the war. In response to Chinese communists taking over in 1949, US contributes $23 million. Congress refused to send military support to Dien Bien Phu, so President Eisenhower covertly sent unmarked US planes to drop supplies to the French.

Question 5

Dien Bien Phu and the Geneva conference

Answer 5

Geneva conference - april 1954
To discuss ceasefire opportunities, both sides wanting an advantage at the negotiating table.
Dien Bien Phu lasted for 57 days, ending in a humiliating defeat for the French.
This was won by exploiting the French’s underestimation of the Viet Minh. The Viet Minh employed guerilla tactics. Because of this win, the Geneva Conference was skewed in Viet Minh’s favor, with the Geneva Accords ending French rule.
USA and South Vietnam refused to sign it
North Vietnam only signed it due to communist pressure