Reasons For Greater Involvement Under Eisenhower Flashcards

1
Q

Why did Eisenhowere commit more US aid to S. Vietnam even after French left?

A

Eisenhower feared if Vietnam became communist, other countries in Southeast Asia would follow (domino theory)

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2
Q

What did Eisenhower set up in September 1954?

A

South East Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO)

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3
Q

What did SEATO agree?

A

To act together, by force if necessary, to stop communism spreading to Southeast Asia

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4
Q

Which government in Vietnam had very little support?

A

Diem’s government

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5
Q

Where were there many communists even when Diem was in power?

A

South Vietnam

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6
Q

Why was there doubts that the South Vietnamese army would back Diem if war broke out?

A

. 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

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7
Q

How did Eisenhower support Diem?

A

Sent more advisors to train ARVN (S. Vietnam army)

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8
Q

Why didn’t US want to put in own troops to S. Vietnam?

A

They only wanted limited war and didn’t want a nuclear war with USSR and China

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9
Q

What did Bao Dai do in October 1955?

A

Spoke against Diem’s policies

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10
Q

How did Diem respond to Dai speaking out against Diem?

A

Held a referendum on what leader was wanted but it was fixed as US officials helped run the election

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11
Q

What was the result of the referendum?

A

Diem won and renamed Vietnam the Republic of Vietnam which he was the president for

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12
Q

How did Diem run the Republic of Vietnam?

A

. Changed government
. Stopped villages electing own officials

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13
Q

Why did Diem and USA become very unpopular in S. Vietnam?

A

Put disliked government officials in charge

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14
Q

What did Diem do in July 1956?

A

Refused to hold elections agreed at Geneva accords as government didn’t exist when the accords happened

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15
Q

Why did USA support Diem as he rejected elections?

A

They feared communism

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16
Q

Eisenhower continued to send aid to S. Vietnam. Why was it getting risky?

A

S. Vietnam could become dependent on US

17
Q

What was Diem doing wrong but what did he tell Eisenhower?

A

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)

18
Q

What campaign did Diem begin?

A

One against opponents (especially communists). Began to arrest political and religious opponents

19
Q

What did the ‘denounce a communist campaign’ in Diem’s campaign encourage?

A

Reporting communists

20
Q

What did ARVN do in 1957 for Diem’s campaign?

A

They were sent to countryside and 65000 suspected communists were arrested and 2000 killed

21
Q

How many officials had been killed by 1958?

A

400

22
Q

How did communists fight back to Diem’s campaign?

A

S. Vietnam groups (Vietcong - Vietnamese communists) fought Diem’s government
N Vietnamese supported VC and hoped for revolution

23
Q

How did N. Vietnamese and China get involved by May 1959?

A

Sent N. vietnamese troops and weapons into S. Vietnam along the Ho Chi Minh trail

24
Q

What made it clear Diem’s policies actions a civil war?

A

Once the VC and N. vietnamese troops starting fighting together against S. Vietnamese

25
Q

When was first attempt to overthrow Diem?

A

November 1960, failed

26
Q

How did Diem and USA relations worsen?

A

Diem blamed US for plot but USA urged Diem to become more democratic and make reforms for popularity, but Diem ignored this

27
Q

What was the National Liberation Front (NLF)?

A

Made in December by Vietcong and anti-Diem groups. Organised political opposition to Diem and urged villagers to support local VC groups

28
Q

How much of S. Vietnam was under government control by end of 1960?

A

Less than half