Reasons For Greater Involvement Under Eisenhower Flashcards
Why did Eisenhowere commit more US aid to S. Vietnam even after French left?
Eisenhower feared if Vietnam became communist, other countries in Southeast Asia would follow (domino theory)
What did Eisenhower set up in September 1954?
South East Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO)
What did SEATO agree?
To act together, by force if necessary, to stop communism spreading to Southeast Asia
Which government in Vietnam had very little support?
Diem’s government
Where were there many communists even when Diem was in power?
South Vietnam
Why was there doubts that the South Vietnamese army would back Diem if war broke out?
. Many communists in S. Vietnam
. Other religious, political and criminal groups had own armies and supporters
. Diem was Catholic and there were religious clashes between Catholics and Buddhists
. Diem exluded other groups from government jobs
. Government was Saigon-based - little respect for peasants in villages and didn’t make reforms to support them
. Many villages run by corrupt officials or greedy landlords
How did Eisenhower support Diem?
Sent more advisors to train ARVN (S. Vietnam army)
Why didn’t US want to put in own troops to S. Vietnam?
They only wanted limited war and didn’t want a nuclear war with USSR and China
What did Bao Dai do in October 1955?
Spoke against Diem’s policies
How did Diem respond to Dai speaking out against Diem?
Held a referendum on what leader was wanted but it was fixed as US officials helped run the election
What was the result of the referendum?
Diem won and renamed Vietnam the Republic of Vietnam which he was the president for
How did Diem run the Republic of Vietnam?
. Changed government
. Stopped villages electing own officials
Why did Diem and USA become very unpopular in S. Vietnam?
Put disliked government officials in charge
What did Diem do in July 1956?
Refused to hold elections agreed at Geneva accords as government didn’t exist when the accords happened
Why did USA support Diem as he rejected elections?
They feared communism
Eisenhower continued to send aid to S. Vietnam. Why was it getting risky?
S. Vietnam could become dependent on US
What was Diem doing wrong but what did he tell Eisenhower?
He was not making reforms for S. Vietnamese and continued to oppress them. Took US money but not their advice as he ensured Eisenhower people supported him (they didn’t)
What campaign did Diem begin?
One against opponents (especially communists). Began to arrest political and religious opponents
What did the ‘denounce a communist campaign’ in Diem’s campaign encourage?
Reporting communists
What did ARVN do in 1957 for Diem’s campaign?
They were sent to countryside and 65000 suspected communists were arrested and 2000 killed
How many officials had been killed by 1958?
400
How did communists fight back to Diem’s campaign?
S. Vietnam groups (Vietcong - Vietnamese communists) fought Diem’s government
N Vietnamese supported VC and hoped for revolution
How did N. Vietnamese and China get involved by May 1959?
Sent N. vietnamese troops and weapons into S. Vietnam along the Ho Chi Minh trail
What made it clear Diem’s policies actions a civil war?
Once the VC and N. vietnamese troops starting fighting together against S. Vietnamese
When was first attempt to overthrow Diem?
November 1960, failed
How did Diem and USA relations worsen?
Diem blamed US for plot but USA urged Diem to become more democratic and make reforms for popularity, but Diem ignored this
What was the National Liberation Front (NLF)?
Made in December by Vietcong and anti-Diem groups. Organised political opposition to Diem and urged villagers to support local VC groups
How much of S. Vietnam was under government control by end of 1960?
Less than half
