Kennedy And Vietnam 1961-63 Flashcards
Under President Kennedy there was greater US invilvement in conflict in Vietnam
He sent more advisors to South Vietnam ( about 16,000 more by late 1963.
Also, in 1961, Kennedy requested a report on the feasability of sending US soldiers for active service in Vietnam
How did Kennedy resct to the “domino theory “
When Kennedy became President ( 1961 ) he agreed with the “domino theory “
What techniques did Kennedy use to win the war but lacked success
He recognised the VC was gaining ground .
He changed tactics to searching for VC fighters , not just trying to draw them into battle
He authorised the use of chemical sprays such as Agent Orange, to kill crops and jungle areas wher the VC were hiding
Sent more advisors to SV , around 16,000 by late 1963)
Who did Kennedy have concerns about
Diem ‘m effectiveness as leader in SV
What led to questions and negative publicity over Diem’s government
In January 1963, the ARVN lost the battle of Ap Bac, even though it has US air support and 5 x as many aoldiers as the VC.The US media reported the battle as a defeat, despite the governemtns attempt to present it positively.Kennedy worried about the negative publicity of Diem’s leadership
How did Diem make his relationship worse with Kennedy other than the battle of Ap Bac
On 6 May, Diem’s government troops fired on a Buddhist procession, killing nine , which added to Diem’s unpopularity among thr Vietnamese people .
On 11 June, a Buddhist monk burned himself to desth in protest about Diem’s government .This generated worldwide publicity.
Kennedy put pressure on Diem’s government to make peace with the Buddhists , but Diem continued to prosecute them
How did Kennedy get rid of Diem
He did not want to publicly depose Diem, despite knowing how unpopular he was, but he made it obvious that he had withdrawn all aupport for his leadership.He knew Diem’s government would never be democratic
In November 1963, ARVN generals overthrew and assassinated Diem, USA did not intervene to prevent this
What programme made the US and Diem’s governement more unpopular
Strategic Hamlet Programme
Why were the Strategic Hamlets unpopular
The ARVN forcibly removed and reloacted villagers.However, villagers did not want to leave their ancestral homes.Also there was not enough food or basic provisions in some of thr new villages and many villagers starved to death
When was the Strategic Hamlet Programme
1962
What was the Strategic Hamlet Programme
Diem and the USA built new villages to house locals away from the Vietcong , so the VC could not recruit them to fight.
The aim was to provide security for the villagers and increase public support for thr government .The hamlets were supposed to have achools and medical centres
