Esculation of the conflict under Johnson Flashcards
What were Johnson’s aims?
- Stop the spread of communism
- Establish democratic government in South Vietnam supported by the people
- Avoid nuclear war
What problem did Johnson face with trying to stop the spread of communism?
The communists in Vietnam were getting stronger and harder to defeat
What problem did Johnson face when aiming to establish a democratic government in South Vietnam supported by the people?
The government of South Vietnam was very weak and unpopular
Why was it important for Johnson to prevent the situation deteriorating into a nuclear war?
Because the USSR was a superpower with nuclear capability
How did the Vietcong improve?
They became more organised and effective, and their numbers increased
How do the Vietcong’s ideas become more popular among the ordinary Vietnamese?
Because they sympathised with their view that Americans were imperialists wanting to control Vietnam for their own ends
How did the Vietcong receive support from the North Vietnamese?
They sent supplies and weapons
How did the Vietcong gain support from the South Vietnamese?
They were angry with the government and it’s dealings with the USA and policies such as the Strategic Hamlet Program
What made the Vietcong more of a threat?
They’re increased support from civilians
What was the Gulf of Tonkin Incident?
Where two US naval ships reported attacks by North Vietnamese torpedo boats off the North Vietnamese coast
What were the causes of the Gulf of Tonkin Incident?
- Increased build up of US advisers in South Vietnam under Johnson
- Regular US patrols by ships in the Gulf of Tonkin
- US involvement in ARVN raids on North Vietnam
What were the consequences of the Gulf of Tonkin incident?
- Johnson ordered air strikes against north Vietnam
- Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin resolution
What was the Gulf of Tonkin resolution?
It allowed Johnson to use armed force to defend south Vietnam and US troops already stationed there
How did the north Vietnamese respond to the Gulf of Tonkin resolution?
They expanded their involvement in South Vietnam
What was the Ho Chi Minh trail?
A network of paths and smaller trails, which connected north and south Vietnam (often passing through Laos and Cambodia)
