Conflict and tension in Asia, 1950–1975, Part two: Escalation of conflict in Vietnam Flashcards
What was Indochina?
A french colony comprised of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
Why did France lose Indochina?
They were beaten by the Nazi regime. The Japanese take control of Vietnam.
Why did the USA support the french in taking control of Indochina?
The US wanted to ‘contain’ communism.
How much of the war was the US funding in 1953?
By 1953, the US was paying 80% of France’s war in Vietnam.
When was the battle of Dien Bien Phu?
May 1954
When were the Geneva Agreements?
July 1954
What were the main reasons the french were defeated at Dien Bien Phu?
- Terrain suited the Vietminh
- French did not expect the Vietminh to have artillery and ani-air guns.
How many french casualties were there by the end of the battle?
8000 men had died
What was the French government’s response to defeat in Dien Bien Phu?
- The French prime minister resigned.
- The parliament voted to end the war and leave Vietnam.
What were the conditions of the Geneva Agreement?
(Five conditions)
- Vietnam divided
- Ho Chi Minh leading the North. Ngo Dinh Diem leading the South.
- French leave Vietnam. Vietminh leave South Vietnam.
- People could decide on which side they wanted to live on.
- Elections to be held in 1956 to unite the country.
What were the main reasons for the civil war in South Vietnam?
- Diem refused to have elections.
- Diem persecuted Buddhists, in a Buddhist country.
- Diem jailed his political opponents.
What was Diem’s religion?
Diem was Catholic.
What did NLF stand for?
National Liberation Front
When was the NLF created?
1960
Why was the NLF created?
To fight against Diem’s regime to unify Vietnam.
What did ARVN stand for?
Army of the Republic of Vietnam
When was the ARVN created?
1955
Why was the ARVN created?
Created to protect Diem’s regime from communists, the NLF, and Buddhists.
How did Diem persecute communists?
He made a law in 1959 that meant military courts could execute anyone found being part of a communist organisation e.g. Vietminh.
How was Diem corrupt?
He used his power to benefit his family - controlling businesses and trade.
What were the main reasons Diem was so unpopular?
- Persecution of communists
- Corruption
- Nepotism
- Persecution of Buddhists.
- Relocation of peasants
When did Diem’s rule start and end?
1954 - 1963
What referendum was there in 1955?
In 1955, the people of South Vietnam voted for Diem or his rival, Bo Dai. Diem won with 98.2%. He cheated.
Why did the US stop supporting Diem?
- He was too corrupt.
- He was too unpopular. The Buddhist persecution made supporting him impossible.
What were the aims of the Vietcong?
To overthrow Diem’s regime and unify Vietnam.
What made the Vietcong so popular with the peasants?
- They were forbidden to mistreat them.
- Diem taxed and relocated many peasants. The Vietcong fought to end Diem’s regime, which the peasants wanted.
What guerrilla tactics did the Vietcong use?
- Ambushes
- Sabotage
Who supported the Vietcong?
North Vietnam, China and the USSR.
Where was the Vietcong based?
Mainly in South Vietnam.
In what year did the Truman Doctrine start?
1947
What was the Truman Doctrine?
America’s commitment to containing communism.
What did Domino Theory state?
That if one nation becomes communist, the neighbouring countries will follow in a domino effect.
What year did Diem’s regime collapse?
1963
Why did the US decide to increase involvement after Diem?
At the time of Diem’s assassination, the South was at its weakest.
In what ways was the USA limited in the extent to which it could get involved in Vietnam?
- It didn’t want another Korea
- It didn’t want the USSR or China to get involved.