Escalation Under Johnson Flashcards
What was Johnson’s aims in Vietnam?
To set up a new governemnt which the South Vietnamese people liked
Stop war and communism
Why was LBJ’s job in Vietnam harder than JRK’s?
VC was stonger
People liked the US less than before
When Johnson came to power how much control did the ARVN have over South Vietnam?
Only about 30-40%
Why was the VC becoming more dangerous in 1964?
Organisation Local aupport VC ideals Time South Vietnam's government Foreign aid
Why did Organisation make the VC more of a threat in 1964?
NLF provided a political leadership stucture
North Vietnam could rely on almost anyone to help out
They were organised into cadres
What were cadres?
VC organised there men into little 3 man cells so they could act quickly
Why did local support make the VC more of a threat in 1964?
People respected and help the VC
Why did VC ideals make the VC more of a threat in 1964?
VC stressed that they were fighting to:
Unite Vietnam
Against the US and its puppet government
To end poverty and injustice
Why did time make the VC more of a threat in 1964?
The VC had all the time in the world - they didn’t care how long it would take
Why did the South Vietnam governemnt make the VC more of a threat in 1964?
Made villagers turn against it and assentialy encouraged them to join the VC
Was seen as a puppet state
Governemt had in fighting in it
Why did foreign aid make the VC more of a threat in 1964?
USSR and China were suppling aid ed weapons, advicers, troops, bikes
In 1964 how many soldiers did the VC have?
Hard to tell
Around less that 100,000
In 1964 what was the ARVN’s advantages?
Greatly outnumbered the VC with 500,000 troops and they controlled the sky
Between whixh 2 years did x amount of supplies sent to North Vietnam?
1955-63
$100 million
By the end of 1964 how many advisers there there in South Vietnam?
Over 20,000
What was the name of the 2 ships in the Gulk of Tonkin?
Maddox
C, Turner Joy
What year did the Gulf of Tonkin incident happen?
1964
What happened on the 2nd August?
The Maddox radar showed 3 North Vietnam subs closing in. There was an exchange of fire
What happened on the 5th August 1964?
During a bad storm - alot of confusion
Another attack - claimed to have sunk 2 VC boats - LBJ was told although latter he was told that there was no attack.
LBJ ordered a US strike in retaliation which 2 of those planes were latter shot down
What happened on the 5th August 1964?
Johnson told Congress about the incident - and asked for congress to give him power to stop future attack
What happened on the 7th August?
Congress pased the Gulf of Tonkin resolution
What did the Gulk of Tonkin resolution do?
Gave Johnson the power to escualte and deseculate the war. Include sending US troops without consulting congressor officialy declaring war
What was confusing about the 2nd attack?
The storm may have caused the radar to make it apear like there was another attack
Which attack deffinatly happened in the Gulk of Tonkin?
The first one on the 2nd August
What was the North Vietnam’s reaction in Vietnam?
November 1964 - Febuary 1965 - more and more supplies was sent to the VC in the south
VC was urged to atatck more US bases (probaly by the North Vietnamese)
After the Gulf of Tonkin resolution which olaces were attacked by the VC?
Binh Gia
Pleiku
When did fighting begin at Binh Gia?
2nd December 1964
When did fighting end at Binh Gia?
3rd January 1965
What was the result of the fighting at Binh Gia?
VC victory
Over 50 helicopers destroyed or damaged
When did the battle at Pleiku happen?
7th Febuary 1965
What was the result of the battle at Pleiku?
9 dead
128 wounded
122 aircraft damaged or destroyed
(I think this is reffering to US losses
By Febuary 1965 how much was US involvment costing the USA?
$2 million a day
Why did neither the USA or North Vietnam want a war?
US wanted a democratic governemt that could deffend itself
The North only wanted a communsit revolt to unite Vietnam under communist rule
What was US involvment tike in 1965?
$700 million
184,300 troops
1,928 dead
