lesson 11 - flash cards
Q: When did Vietnam first come under French colonial rule and what was it called?
A: Vietnam was colonized by the French in 1887 and was called Indochina.
Q: Who occupied Vietnam during World War II and what happened after their surrender?
A: Japan occupied Vietnam during World War II, and after their surrender, Vietnam returned to French control.
Q: Who led the opposition against French rule in Vietnam and which region were they based in?
A: The opposition was led by the communist Ho Chi Minh, leader of the Viet Minh, and they were based in the North of Vietnam.
Q: When did the communists begin fighting a civil war against French rule in Vietnam?
A: The communists began fighting a civil war against French rule in the 1950s.
Q: What was the outcome of the French troops’ efforts against the Viet Minh by 1952?
A: By 1952, the French had been continuously defeated by the guerrilla warfare tactics of the Viet Minh, resulting in 90,000 French casualties.
Q: What significant event in 1954 led to the French withdrawal from Vietnam?
A: The French withdrew from Vietnam after their defeat at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954.
Q: What percentage of the French military operation in Vietnam was funded by the USA?
A: The USA funded 75% of the French military operation in Vietnam.
Q: Which countries supplied the Vietnamese communists during their conflict with the French?
A: The Soviets and Chinese supplied the Vietnamese communists during their conflict with the French.
Q: After the French withdrawal, which leader and region did the USA support in Vietnam?
A: After the French withdrawal, the USA supported the nationalists in the South under the leadership of Ngo Dinh Diem.
Q: What policy did American involvement in Vietnam illustrate?
A: American involvement in Vietnam illustrated their commitment to the policy of containment.
Q: What was established at the Geneva Summit in July 1954 to divide Vietnam?
A: The 17th parallel was established to divide Vietnam into two, with Ho Chi Minh leading the North.
Q: How long was the division of Vietnam supposed to last according to the Geneva agreements?
A: The division was supposed to last for two years until scheduled elections, after which the country would be unified under one rule.
Q: Why did Eisenhower not agree to the Geneva agreements?
A: Eisenhower did not want to legitimize a communist North Vietnam.
Q: What did the USA believe would happen to neighboring countries if Vietnam became communist according to the Domino Theory?
A: The USA believed that if Vietnam became communist, neighboring countries would also fall to communism.
Q: What was the US ‘New Look’ Policy?
The ‘New Look’ Policy involved strengthening America’s nuclear arsenal and military, emphasizing containment without direct military intervention.