How did Vietnam impact cold war relations Flashcards
when did most of the war end and what was going on in america that year
1972, year of election
how did the war impact cold war relations (6)
1- escalated tensions
2- détente was interrupted
3- weakened US image
4-increased soviet influence
5- economic strain
6- had long term impacts
what were the long term impacts (2)
- the end of the war led to a communist vietnam, impacting the regional balance of power
- US foreign policy became more conservative, and hesitant to involve itself in future conflicts to not have a repeat
did the USSR also face difficulties supporting NV
yes, both the US & USSR did
how did soviet influence increase
because the USSR supported north vietnam, gaining influence in the region.
It also strengthened communist movements in other countries
how was USA percieved as
as a bully
what did the weakenign of US image lead to
loss of international allies and increased criticism
how did the war interrupt détente
it strained relations, ruining détente progress as focus shifted from arms control to containment
how did it escalate tensions (3)
US involvement deepened the ideological struggle between communism and capitalism
mistrust and hostility between USA & USSR increased
propaganda used by both sides to demonise each other
how did america leave vietnam
quickly and hurridly
why was there such a huge crisis when US was leaving vietnam
many vietnamese wanted to leave because they knew they either wouldn’t be safe or lead a happy life in communist vietnam
so the US needed to take planes of soldiers and citizens, but there werne’t enough as the NV army was invading quickly, and so people would hide inside the wheel holes of planes, cling on to the wings
why did north vietnam end up with billions of dollars worth of american hardwear
because the american withdrawal was so rushed and chaotic that they ahd no time to destroy anything (guns, tanks, weapons)
what did the NV do with the SV soldiers
rounded them up and put them into work camps or prison camps
how did the rushed leave of america affect their image (how were they viewed as before, and how did it change after)
they used to be seen as protectors, and beacons of hope, but when they knew that SV would lose and still left, the world knew that 0peace with honour’ was just for their own benefit
why was withdrawal so rushed ?
because Saigon fell to NV control much sooner than expected
