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.
Q: Who was Ngo Dinh Diem and why did the Americans support him?
A: Ngo Dinh Diem was the leader of South Vietnam, supported by the USA because he was a nationalist and anti-communist.
Q: What was the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam and what was its aim?
A: It was also known as the Communist Vietcong and aimed to defeat Diem’s government in South Vietnam.
Q: What was the Ho Chi Minh trail and why was it significant?
A: It was a supply route from China through Cambodia used by the Viet Cong to support their operations against South Vietnam.
Q: How did President John F. Kennedy increase American involvement in Vietnam?
A: He sent over 16,000 advisors to support the South Vietnamese and insisted on reforms, which were ultimately rejected by Diem.
Q: What was the purpose of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV)?
A: MACV provided military support and introduced tactics to disrupt the Viet Cong’s food supply and cover.
Q: What was the Strategic Hamlet Programme and what was its goal?
A: The program aimed to relocate peasants into armed villages to cut off support for the Viet Cong.
Q: How many hamlets were established under the Strategic Hamlet Programme by June 1963?
A: By June 1963, the programme extended to 7,205 hamlets, accounting for 70% of the South Vietnamese peasant population.
Q: What led to the downfall of Ngo Dinh Diem in November 1963?
A: Concern over his loss of control and brutal tactics led to American backing for his removal, resulting in his assassination by rebels.
Q: How did Lyndon Johnson’s policy change after Kennedy’s assassination?
A: Lyndon Johnson escalated and ordered full military involvement in Vietnam.
Q: How did American involvement in the Vietnam War affect superpower relations?
A: The US commitment to containment and willingness to go to war without UN support heightened tensions with the USSR and China.
Q: What was the long-term impact of the Vietnam War on American foreign policy in Asia?
A: The Vietnam War reinforced the USA’s determination to prevent the spread of communism in Asia, following the Domino Theory.
Q: What was the significance of the Vietnam War in the context of the Cold War?
A: The Vietnam War demonstrated the USA’s readiness to engage in military conflict to stop the spread of communism, which strained relations with the USSR and China.
