Cold War: Nations Flashcards
1
Q
Vietnam: Origins
A
- First Indochina war - since 1946.
- France wanted to regain it as a colony
- Communist Viet Minh vs French
- US intervention in 1949/1950
- Containment, especially after events in Asia - The US were propping up Bao Dai - “Playboy and puppet of the Westerners”
- 1952: USA bearing 1/3 of cost of war
- FR = War of Colonialism
- USA = Struggle against Communism
- Mao supports Viet Minh
2
Q
Vietnam: The Geneva Accords
A
- 1954
- End of First Indochina War
- Divided Vietnam into North and South (17th Parallel)
- Called for reunification in 1956
- Anguished peace.
3
Q
North Vietnam
A
- Economic Crisis (Used to rely on South for productivity)
- Fear of Communism caused experts to move South
- Land Reform plan began in 1953
- Increased production but 50,000 people executed
- Large protests but did not hurt Ho Chi Minh’s popularity
- Repression and exit of intellectuals mean lack of opposition
4
Q
South Vietnam
A
- US wanted to build a strong anti-communist state
- Diem (First President) = Dictatorship, very anti-communist, Catholic
- Backed by US with Economic and Political aid - No elections held in 1956 (Geneva Accords)
- “Cornerstone of the free world in SE Asia” - JFK
- “An example for people who hate tyranny and love freedom” - Eisenhower on Diem
5
Q
Problems in the South
A
- Dangerous dependence on US aid
- Repression: 25,000 communist supporters arrested and sent to prison camps
- Diem failed to win support of those in rural areas
- No attempt to engage in redistribution
6
Q
SEATO
A
- South East Asian Treaty Organisation
- Created by Eisenhower administration in 1955
- Aimed to block Communist gains in South East Asia
- Promoting Economic growth - Included countries from outside the region
- Philippines and Thailand were only countries from SE to participate
- Had no Military forces of its own
7
Q
Laos and its importance to Vietnam
A
- US injected money to help a pro-west government
- Conflict between Phoumi and Pathet Lao
- Other SEATO members did not support intervention
8
Q
USA and Vietnam
A
- Vietnam intertwined with US interests across the globe - needed to show support for allies
- 1961/1962: Acceleration in increase of US involvement
- ‘Operation Beefup’ - Sent US advisors to help train Army to fight Viet Cong
- 12,000 advisors by 1962.
9
Q
South Vietnam in the War
A
- Growing support for the Viet Cong
- 1963: VC controlled 40% of southern rural areas
- Dissatisfaction as a result of Diem’s repression
- Buddhist Crisis
- Washington wanted to get rid of Nhu
- Americans shocked by fraught relations between Washington and Saigon.
10
Q
Buddhist Crisis
A
- Conflict between Catholics and Buddhist
- Catholics were given preferential treatment under Diem while Buddhists were repressed
- 1963: Monks self-immolation in protest against repression
- Diem was seen as illegitimate and not possessing support of the people
- Ngo Dinh Nhu: Diem’s brother who spearheaded anti-Buddhist campaign
11
Q
Coup in the South
A
- Coup d’etat: November 1, 1963
- Diem and Nhu are captured and murdered
- USA do not stop the Coup and help install new government
- Military Revolution Council takes power
12
Q
The Tet Offensive
A
- January 31 - February 2, 1968
- Attack on all major cities and military bases in South
- Vietnamese New Year (Tet Holiday)
- Psychological impact on the USA after major political centers were attacked: Saigon and US Embassy
- Decrease in Public opinion
- Anti-War movement grew - LBJ announced he would not seek a second term
- Turning Point
13
Q
Vietnamization
A
- Train, equip and expand the South Vietnamese Army so they could take over the Military responsibilities
- The USA would then be able to slowly withdraw troops
- June 1969: 25,000 troops withdrawn
- Another 60,000 by the end of the year - 1973: Peace agreement with N. Vietnamese leaders
- US Withdrawl of remaining troops
- Immediate cease-fire
- Return of POWs
- North recognize the legitimacy of South government
14
Q
Nixon and Cambodia
A
- February 22, 1969: VC launch offensive on US troops in South from Cambodia.
- Nixon decided to bomb Cambodia to destroy the VC bases (May 18, 1969).
- This was kept a secret from the public. Nixon even lied to congress and high-ranking military officers
- The information was leaked and led to government and FBI investigations
15
Q
Germany: East and West
A
- East:
- Included Berlin which was also divided
- Economic stagnation
- Immigration to West Berlin - West:
- Bizonia (1947) followed by Trizonia (1948)
- Joined NATO in May 1955
- New Currency: Deutsche Mark
