Reasons For US Involvement 1954-63 Flashcards
What battle occurred on 13th March 1954?
The battle at Dien Bien Phu.
Who was involved in the battle at Dien Bien Phu?
Between Vietnamese and French troops.
What were the main reasons for the battle?
France wanted to regain control of its colony. The Vietnamese Vietminh, led by Ho Chi Minh, wanted independence.
Why did France lose control of Vietnam?
France lost control when Japan occupied it during WW2.
What did Ho chi Minh ask USA to help with independence?
Wanted USA to help secure Vietnam’s independence from France.
What did USA fear about Vietnam’s independence?
Ho Chi Minh would make Vietnam communist.
Who was in control of South Vietnam?
Bao Dai.
What did the French do to lure the Vietminh into battle?
Built an airstrip at Dien Bien Phu. They brought 15,000 troops and waited.
What were the French surrounded by at Dien Bien Phu?
50,000 Vietminh with anti-aircraft guns and other artillery.
How long did the Battle last? When did the French surrender?
Lasted 55 days. On 7th May 1954 they surrendered.
Why did the Vietminh win at Dien Bien Phu?
Local conditions. China’s help. Local support. Vietminh commitment. French problems.
How did local support help the Vietminh win at Dien Bien Phu?
Helped dig 5 new roads to move supplies. Helped move supplies. Spied on the French.
How did French problems lead to the Vietminh win?
Underestimated support for Vietminh. Didn’t expect Vietminh to be so armed. Supply planes shot down by Vietminh. Troops lacked commitment.
After the defeat of France in the battle what happened to Vietnam?
Was to be temporarily divided and separated by a demilitarised zone.
What was the northern part of Vietnam called? Who ran it?
Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Ran by Ho Chi Minh.
What was the Southern part of Vietnam called? Who ran it?
The State of Vietnam. Ran by Bao Dai. Later Ngo Dinh prime minister in June 1954.
How was there greater involvement under Eisenhower?
Instead of leaving Vietnam to work towards reuniting, he committed more US aid to South Vietnam, even after the French left.
What was the most significant reason for greater US involvement in Vietnam?
Fear of communism. If Vietnam became communist then other countries in Southeast Asia would follow. This was known as the ‘domino theory’.
What is SEATO?
South East Asia Treaty Organisation.
When was SEATO set up?
September 1954.
Who was members of SEATO?
UK, France, New Zealand, Australia, Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand.
Why was Diem’s government weak?
There were still communists in South Vietnam. Diem was catholic; most Vietnamese were Buddhist. Diem was Saigon based, he has little respect for peasants. Mainly gave jobs to family.
Who were the Vietcong?
Vietnamese Communists.
When did Kennedy become president?
1961.
By early 1961 how many Vietcong (VC) guerrillas were in the South?
12,000. Over half the country was under some level of communist control.
What did Kennedy want a policy of?
A policy of pacification for troops and South Vietnamese government to win support of the villagers.
What did Kennedy tell troops to do against VC?
Hunt them down. Don’t just lure them.
Why was it hard for ARVN to win over the villagers?
Many officers looked down on the villagers. While many villagers saw ARVN as part of the corrupt government system.
How did US Special Forces struggle to gain villager support?
VC would visit villagers during the night when US have gone. Being foreign soldiers was difficult to gain trust.
How much money did Kennedy spend on training ARVN?
40 million.
What did Kennedy authorise the use of?
Defoliant chemical sprays to kill crops and jungle plants.
What is Strategic Hamlet Program?
Large new villages (surrounded by barbed wire and guarded by the ARVN) with facilities such as schools and clinics.
Why did they make the Strategic Hamlet Program?
To stop the VC from recruiting villagers or getting supplies from them.
When did work on Strategic Hamlet Program start?
January 1962.
Why did the Strategic Hamlet Program fail?
US advisers and Diem’s government ignored that villagers didn’t want to leave their homes. Also failed to provide enough food.
What did Kennedy ask Diem to do with Buddhists? How did Diem react?
Kennedy pressed Diem to make peace the Buddhists. Instead Diem increased persecution, in August 1963, Diem’s troops raided a buddhist temple killing more.
What did Kennedy realise after Diem’s actions?
Diem would never run a democratic government and his government was too unpopular to survive.
What happened after USA announced they no longer support Diem’s government?
On 1st November, Diem was overthrown by ARVN generals. USA didn’t warn Diem of this. He was assassinated.
