Final Flashcards
Why was Dien Bien Phu significant to the French and the United States?
Seizing the town would interfere with the Vietminh’s supply lines and force them into battle. The French defeat convinced them to make peace and withdraw from Indochina.
What two events convinced Truman to help France in Vietnam?
The fall of China to communism and the outbreak of the Korean War
What were the Geneva Accords?
Temporarily divided Vietnam along the 17th parallel
When did the U.S. step in to protect the pro-Western (non-communist) South Vietnam?
They were worried that South Vietnam would fall to communism.
What did President Eisenhower do to help South Vietnam?
He increased America military and economic aid
What is the domino theory? And why was it considered dangerous?
The belief if Vietnam fell to communism, so would other nations around Southeast Asia.
It was dangerous because Asia already lost 450 million people to communism and they couldn’t afford anymore losses.
Why was Diem’s South Vietnamese government so unpopular?
He showed favoritism toward Catholics and discriminated against Buddhists.
What happened to Diem’s government in 1963?
Diem banned the traditional religious flags for Buddha’s birthday. When Buddhists took the streets to protest, Diem’s police killed 9 people and injured 14 others. Because of this, a Buddhist monk set himself on fire. Diem was then executed by the U.S. Military.
Why did Kennedy believe he needed to stand up to communism in Vietnam?
He saw the Southeast Asian country as vitally important in the battle against communism.
What tactics were used by the Vietcong (NFL)? Why did this make them increasingly powerful? How did this style of fighting affect U.S. troops?
They used booby traps, hidden bombs, etc.
It was powerful because we least expected it
Because of this style of fighting, Eisenhower increased American aid and sent hundreds of military advisors to train in South Vietnam’s army.
Why was the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution significant? What U.S. president persuaded Congress to pass this resolution?
It authorized the president to take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the U.S. and to prevent further aggression.
President Johnson
Describe the controversy over the draft.
At the beginning of the war, a college student could usually defer military service until after graduation. By contrast, young people from low-income families were more likely to be sent to Vietnam because they were unable to afford college. This meant minorities, particularly African-Americans who made up most of the soldiers in Vietnam.
Why did President Johnson refuse to approve an attack on the Ho Chi Minh Trail?
The trail passed through countries not directly involved in the war.
President Nixon invaded Cambodia. What was the intended objective? Why did this invasion anger Congress and many other people?
The troops wanted to destroy Vietcong military bases there.
The invasion angered congress and many other people because it was viewed as widening the war.
How did television, especially news coverage, affect the U.S. perception of the war?
It showed people what the war was really like by using pictures and videos of wounded and dead Americans.
