Paper 3 - Vietnam War Flashcards
What is domino theory?
If one country becomes communist, then the neighbouring countries might also become communist.
What was the 1954 Geneva Agreement?
The peace treaty that said Vietnam should be divided into north and south along the 17th parallel.
North Vietnam would be led by Ho Chi Minh (communist, supported by China).
South Vietnam would be led by Ngo Dinh Diem (was supported by the USA so it didn’t become communist).
How did the USA break the Geneva Conventions?
President Eisenhower didn’t want South Vietnam to become communist. He supported President Diem, despite his election being corrupt. Eisenhower and the US government had no intention of letting elections take place in 1956 to see if Vietnam should be one United country again as they knew people would vote in favour and communism would win. The USA broke the Geneva Conventions as they didn’t allow the election to take place.
Why was South Vietnam President Diem unpopular?
He was Catholic (most of the country was Buddhist).
He elected Catholics to government and they persecuted Buddhists.
Took land away from peasants (against Eisenhower’s orders) and forced them to pay high taxes.
Placed Vietminh in prison camps and tortured them until they changed their views.
USA sent aid and military advisers to train the South Vietnamese army.
11th June 1963, a 73 year old Buddhist monk (Thich Quang Duc) set himself on fire in protest of Diem’s government (escalated US involvement further).
Which countries had controlled Vietnam before and during WW2?
France and Japan
Why did President Eisenhower increase involvement in Vietnam (1953-1961)?
Wanted to ensure that Southern Vietnam remained independent from communist control, wanted to support Diem.
Wanted to reduced influence from China.
Had to respond to a terror campaign which began against South Vietnam advisers (4,000 officials were assassinated each year towards the end of the 1950s).
Had to escalate involvement as the National Liberation Front (NLF) was set up to oppose the south.
What did President Eisenhower do to increase involvement in Vietnam (1953-1961)?
Sent aid and military advisers.
First sent $1,100 million.
In 1958 sent $241 million.
In 1959 sent $249 million.
Wouldn’t send troops though.
Why did President Kennedy increase involvement in Vietnam (1961-1963)?
Wanted to show support for the unpopular regime of Diem.
Wanted to defeat the NLF and VC.
VC we’re getting stronger (by 1964 there were 170,000 VC fighters who were carrying out guerrilla attacks, secured their first victory in January 1963).
What did President Kennedy do to increase involvement in Vietnam (1961-1963)?
Sent over 16,000 advisers to train the South Vietnamese army.
Equipped a further 20,000 troops.
Sent $270 million in military support.
Wouldn’t send US troops.
Gave support to Diem’s assassination.
Set up strategic hamlet programme (soldiers guard Vietnamese villages to restrict VC activities).
Why did President Johnson increase involvement in Vietnam (1963-1969)?
There were nearly 60,000 guerrilla groups operating in South Vietnam by the end of 1964.
35% of South Vietnam was occupied by VC.
2nd August 1964, US warship ‘Maddox’ was allegedly fired at by North Vietnamese troops in the Gulf of Tonkin. 2 days later there was reportedly a second attack.
What did President Johnson do to increase involvement in Vietnam (1963-1969)?
Continued to send money (1966 - $900 million), aid, supplies to South Vietnam.
After Gulf of Tonkin, combat troops were sent over (200,000 sent by end of 1965).
Increased air support and attacks.
Launched 1965 Operation Rolling Thunder (bombing campaign).
When was South Vietnam President Diem assassinated?
November 1963
Why did the VC use booby traps?
Booby traps were cheap and easy to make and very effective. Sharpened bamboo stakes, hidden in shallow pits under sticks and leaves, could easily pierce a boot. US soldiers lived in constant fear of ambushes and booby traps.
Booby traps caused 11% of American soldiers’ deaths.
Why did the VC use ambushes?
- Retreat when the enemy attacks.
- Raid enemy camps.
- Attack when the enemies tire.
- Perdue when the enemy retreats.
VC were almost impossible to identify. They didn’t wear uniforms and had no known base camp or headquarters. This helped them to carry out ambushes. The aim was to wear down enemy soldiers and wreck their morale.
Why did the VC win over South Vietnamese people?
Their tactics were dependent on the support of the local peasantry, who would be expected to hide the VC. The VC fighters were expected to be courteous and respectful to the villagers. They often helped the peasants in the fields during busy periods. The VC could hide weapons and ammunition in villages and could prepare for attacks and battles. Peasant support meant VC fighters could regroup and rest, meaning they were able to keep fighting against US.
However, VC could be ruthless when necessary. They were prepared to kill peasants who opposed them or cooperated with their enemies. They also killed police, tax collectors, teachers and other employees of the government of South Vietnam. Between 1966 and 1971, the VC killed an estimated 27,000 civilians.
Why did the VC use tunnels?
The VC feared US bombing raids so they dug tunnels and used them as air-raids. The tunnels were self-contained, booby-trapped and provided a safe place for guerrilla fighters.
They were extended rapidly when the USA arrived and had hospitals, kitchens and dormitories etc.
The tunnels were narrow, which suited small Vietnamese soldiers, but not the large Americans.
Why did the VC use the Ho Chi Minh Trail?
Steady supplies entered South Vietnam via the Ho Chi Minh Trail from North Vietnam. Guerrilla fighters with vast knowledge of the terrain could sneak in supplies to maintain guerrilla warfare.
What was 1968 Operation Rolling Thunder?
Widespread bombing raids on targets in North Vietnam, including the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Military and industrial areas were targeted. From 1968, more intensive attacks took place and lasted 3 and a half years. More bombs were dropped on Vietnam than Britain and France dropped during the entirety of WW2.
How successful was 1968 Operation Rolling Thunder?
Damaged North Vietnam’s supply route and war effort.
Caused damage to towns and cities, but mainly countryside was affected, which had limited impact overall.
North Vietnam had few factories to bomb.
North Vietnam grew even more supportive of the south. Supplies didn’t stop.
Cost was enormous - $400,000 to kill 1 VC fighter.
What was Agent Orange?
A highly toxic weed killer used to destroy the jungle so the VC couldn’t hide in it. 82 million litres of Agent Orange was used.
How successful was the US’ use of Agent Orange?
Had little effect on flushing out the VC. It fuelled the anti-war movement and increased demands for a peace agreement.
Strengthened support for the VC.
What was Napalm?
It was a bomb that exploded and showered victims with a burning petroleum jelly. It stuck to the skin and burned through to the bone.
How successful was the US’ use of Napalm?
Had little effect on flushing out the VC. It fuelled the anti-war movement and increased demands for a peace agreement.
Strengthened support for the VC.
How did the US defend and protect air bases?
In 1964-1965, US troops were used to defend the area around US air bases. They patrolled to ensure there were no VC in the area. They patrolled 60-80km around the bases. US forces forced the NVA into pitched battles.
How successful was the US’ defence and protection of air bases?
US forces lost less men in these pitched battles but the VC were still able to retreat into neighbouring neutral countries where US soldiers couldn’t follow. The high number of casualties didn’t deter the VC. High US casualties fuelled demands for peace.
What were Search and Destroy Missions?
Using helicopters, US soldiers would descend in a village and search for VC activity. They would kill any VC found, and destroy the village afterwards.
How successful were Search and Destroy Missions?
Some guerrilla fighters were killed but inexperienced troops could walk into traps. Incorrect information meant innocent villagers and civilians were killed.
Support for the VC increased.
When was the My Lai massacre?
16th March 1968
What happened to the people in My Lai?
A US patrol was carrying out a Search and Destroy mission just south of Khe Sanh during the Tet Offensive. Lieutenant Calley and his platoon wiped out the village of My Lai, killing at least 347 men, women, children and babies. Some of the women had been raped first.
The US military tried to keep news of the massacre quiet. They even boasted of its success in killing 90 VC fighters. However, a year and a half later, in November 1969, the US press got hold of the story from a soldier who had heard about the massacre. ‘Life’ magazine published details of the massacre which sparked an official investigation.
What happened to Lieutenant Calley and his platoon after the My Lai massacre?
Calley and 10 other officers were formally charged with murdering 109 people. The charges were too much for the army. They placed all the responsibility on Calley who was the only one found guilty. He was given 20 years of hard labour in 1971. However, he was released in 1974. High ranking officers who covered up the massacre received no punishment.
What impact did the My Lai massacre have on public opinion?
My Lai shocked US public opinion. It was the clearest evident that the war was going wrong. In November 1969, more than half a million anti-war protesters demonstrated in Washington DC. It was the largest political protest in American history. However, a large number of Americans either refused to believe the massacre happened or felt it was justified because the villagers were helping the VC.
In 1971:
65% of Americans asked disagreed with Calley’s sentence.
77% felt he was just following orders and was made to take the blame.
