Escalation Under Johnson Flashcards
What were Johnson’s goals in Vietnam
They were the same as Kennedy’s
Set up a goverment the south Vietnamese people wanted
Stopping communism,keeping south vietnam seperate
Stopping the war escelating and avoiding nuclear war
Was Johnson’s position at the start of the war better or worse than Kenedy’s+reasons
His position was worse than Kenedy’s in 1960 as the Vietcong were stronger,south Vietnamese goverment weaker and the USA was more unpopular in South Vietnam
Why were the Vietcong more of a threat in 1964 when Johnson came into office
-NLF provided a political leadership structure
-China provided aid
-Local support was won by propoganda from VC in villages
-VC Ideals stressed they were fighting the USA and to end poverty
-Goverment seen as puppets,were weak and were resented for moving people to strategic hamlets
When was the Gulf of Tonkin Incident and what happened
1964-North vietnamese torpedo boats allegedly attacked US ships helping ARVN ships in Gulf of Tonkin.Johnson then ordered US planes to strike North Vietnamese targets in retaliation
What was the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
After the Gulf of Tonkin Incident,It gave Johnson the power to take all necessary steps to stop attacks on US forces without consulting Congress or declaring war including sending troops to Vietnam
How did the North Vietnamese react to the Gulf of Tonkin
Even though it was not technically a declaration of war.They knew it basically was so they increased involvement in South Vietnam in partnership with the VC
How did the North Vietnamese involve themselves more in South Vietnam after the Gulf of Tonkin resolution
They fought at Binh Gia and won,They attacked the US airfield at Pleiku and urged the VC to attack US bases
What was the situation like in Febuary 1965 in Vietnam
US involvement was costing 2 million a day.Both sides were commited to a war neither really wanted,The US wanted South Vietnam to become independent and defend itself whether as the North Vietnamese wanted the South Vietnamese to revolt and unite with North Vietnam
What policy did the Americans follow in Vietnam to try and win the war
They attempted to win the ‘hearts and minds’ of the Vietnamese people
