Confrontation and Cooperation, c1963–1972: Confrontation in the Vietnam War - Johnson's Policy in Vietnam

Question 1

When does Lyndon B. Johnson become president?

Answer 1

• 22 November, 1963

Question 2

Why did Johnson become president?

Answer 2

• Kennedy was assassinated on 22 November, 1963

Question 3

Situation that Johnson inherits in 1963

Answer 3

By 1965 there were 60,000 communist guerrillas in the South supplied by the Ho Chi Minh Trail.​​

By 1964, 35% of South Vietnam was in Vietcong hands.​

Question 4

What were Johnson’s main aims with regards to the Vietnam War?

Answer 4

• Win the war quickly, without it being Americanised
• Pressurise North Vietnam to desist military action in South Vietnam
• Don’t commit to negotiations with North Vietnam, in fears of a united communist Vietnam - firm believer in domino theory

Question 5

Define the term Americanisation

Answer 5

• Situation where the US would have primary control of the direction of the war
• South Vietnamese government and army serve US policies

Question 6

What strategy did Johnson agree to, outlining his initial aims?

Answer 6

• OPLAN 34A

Question 7

What was OPLAN 34A and its aims?

Answer 7

• Classified US strategy based on covert action involving commando raids, aerial reconnaissance missions and naval sabotage operations
• To increase pressure on North Vietnam to desist from its aggressive policies

Question 8

How did Johnson continue Kennedy’s policies in Vietnam?

Answer 8

• Increased the number of military advisers

- Kept to counterinsurgency strategy

Question 9

Outline the increase in military advisers under Johnson

Answer 9

• The number of military advisers increased from 16,000 to 23,000 under Johnson

Question 10

Define the term counterinsurgency

Answer 10

• Tactics used to defeat guerrilla warfare
• Involves intelligence gathering
• Targeting leaders
• Methods aimed at infiltrating enemy rather than direct confrontation

Question 11

What did the US’ European allies and the international community think of Johnson’s policies?

Answer 11

• Not convinced of Johnson’s approach ???

- International support began to diminish

Question 12

What advice did France’s leader, General Charles de Gaulle, give Johnson in relation to increased involvement in Vietnam?

Answer 12

• Warned Johnson that increased involvement could lead to a repeat of France’s defeats in Indochina ???

Question 13

How confident was the US in thinking that South Vietnam could conduct a war?

Answer 13

• Uncertain about South Vietnam’s capacity and determination ???

- Largely due to South Vietnam’s consideration of neutralism

Question 14

Define the term neutralism

Answer 14

• Scheme proposed by France
• Called for negotiated settlement, which would end all South Vietnam’s external military links
• Would leave South Vietnam exposed to North Vietnam ???

Question 15

How did the lack of international support impact Johnson’s policies?

Answer 15

• Johnson delayed drastic escalation by mid-1964 ???

Question 16

What was LBJ’s policy on Vietnam between 1963-64?

Answer 16

Offering financial and military aid to the South- carrying on JFK’s policy

Question 17

What events triggered Johnson to escalate the war in Vietnam?

Answer 17

• Gulf of Tonkin incident
• Tough anti-communist opposition in 1964 election race, Barry Goldwater, increases pressure

Question 18

When was the Gulf of Tonkin incident?

Answer 18

• 2 August 1964

Question 19

What was the Gulf of Tonkin

Answer 19

USS Maddox, US ship, and USS Turner Joy (allegedly) were attacked by North Vietnamese torpedo boats, increasing anti-communist pressure

Question 20

What was the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Answer 20

Aug 1964
permitted LBJ to take any measures necessary to retaliate to keep security

Question 21

How did LBJ describe the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Answer 21

Like Grandma’s nightshirt, because it covered everything

Question 22

When were the first US combat troops introduced

Answer 22

1965

Question 23

When was Operation Rolling Thunder

Answer 23

1965-68

Question 24

What was Operation Rolling Thunder in response to

Answer 24

Feb 1965
Vietcong attack on US base at Pleiku: 9 servicemen killed and 5 helicopters destroyed​

Question 25

What was Operation Rolling Thunder’s aim

Answer 25

To weaken the PAVN (approx 1 million tons of bombs dropped on Vietnam)

Question 26

How much was the war costing LBJ a day by the end of his presidency

Answer 26

$60 million / day

Question 27

By the end of LBJ’s presidency, how many US troops were in Vietnam

Answer 27

565,000 (shows massive escalation since 1965)

Question 28

In Sept 1964 how many PRC (Chinese) troops were location in south China, near Vietnam

Answer 28

300,000-500,000

Question 29

In 1964 China provided …. guns and in 1969 provided …. guns

Answer 29

1964: 80,000
1969: 139,000
Escalation!

Question 30

How do Soviets intervene in Vietnam during LBJ’s presidency

Answer 30

Provided missiles with MiG-21 jets

Question 31

When was the TET offensive

Answer 31

Jan - Sept 1968

Question 32

What was the TET offensive

Answer 32

simultaneous military attacks launched by Vietcong against US targets in the South, designed to create a rebellion. Failure for North as it failed and Vietcong decimated, 25,000 dead.

Question 33

What did the TET offensive show to the US public

Answer 33

For the US it highlighted the stalemate situation and ended hopes of swift victory.
Showed to US public they weren’t doing as well as thought - increased anti-war sentiment

Question 34

When was the My Lai massacre

Answer 34

March 1968

Question 35

What was the My Lai massacre

Answer 35

US soldiers brutally killed over 500 civilians, unprovoked, in the village of My Lai
Supposedly in search for VC

Question 36

What was the impact of the My Lai massacre

Answer 36

The story breaking in 1969, resulted in cultural change
Was a reason for vietnamisation

Question 37

When were the Pentagon Protests

Answer 37

1967

Question 38

What were the Pentagon Protests

Answer 38

50,000 peacefully marched to Pentagon in protest of the conflict