Reason For Us Involvement In Vietnam Flashcards
Who are the vietcong
Vietnamese communist
Who is the NVA
North vietnamese Army
Who is the ARVN
Army of the rupubilic of vietnam (south Vietnam)
What happened after the war in 1950 about the French controlling vietnam
After the second world war, Vietnam was given back to the French, however the French became involved in a struggle with the communist Vietminh
So in 1950 the French appealed for US support
When was the battle of Dien Bien Phu
1954
What happened at Dien Bien Phu
Fremch bought 15,000 troops and waited to attack the Vietminh.
They had no idea that they were surrounded by 50,000 Vietnminh soliders woth anti aircraft guns and artillery.
They also had 200,000 civilian workers.
Fighting lasted 55 days. French surrendered
What were the reasons why the Vietminh won at Dien Bien Phu
Local conditions - Vietminh understood the country, saw that the French built a trap for themselves
China’s help - China supplied them with weapons and ammunition and some tropps
French problems - underestimated the support for the vietminh, supply planes shot down, the troops lacked commitment
Local support - helped move supplies and spy on French
Vietminh commitment
Why did Eisenhower have greater involvment in south vietman
This is because of the fear of communism and the domino theory - if the south became communist others will follow
Why was Diems government weak
Still many communists in the south
Little support with peasants as he did not make any reforms
Diem was catholic so he favoured catholics more
What did Kennedy do to increase involvment in south vietnam
Increased military advisors from 700 to 15,000
Ordered the building of the strategic hamlets - which were heavily defended villages that south vietnamese people were moved to to protect them from the vietcong
Why was Diem overthrown
This is because he was so currupt he was facing constant opposition.
Did not make peace with the buddests and kept on killing
Several busddist monks burned themselves in protest.
Kennedy threatened to stop military aid and then backed a plot to arrest him.
However he was murdered
