Textbook 1108-1112 Flashcards
Who was described a novice in foreign affairs who was he similar to?
Johnson; similar to W. Wilson
Johnson initially kept troops in Vietnam while wanting his Great Society program to pass.
Johnson initially_____ in Vietnam, because he wanted his _______ to pass
Stayed in Vietnam;
he wanted his Great Society program to pass
How many US troops are in Vietnam from 1965–> 1966–>1969 –>?
US Troops in Vietnam:
1965: 184k
1966: 385k
1969: 542k
(triples from 1965 to 1969)
This reflects the escalation of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.
What incident justified increased military presence in Vietnam?
Tonkin Gulf Resolution
It was used by the Defense Department to justify military actions.
What false information was Johnson fed regarding the Gulf of Tonkin?
What was the truth?
Johnson was told fake information that North Vietnamese boats attacked U.S. ships at the Gulf of Tonkin.
In reality, US fired first while helping S Viet attack planned by the US
In reality, the U.S. fired first while assisting South Vietnam.
What did Johnson say after the Gulf of Tonkin incident?
It caused Johnson to ‘take all necessary measures to prevent further aggression.’
Only 2 senators voted against this declaration of war.
What event led Johnson to approve Operation Rolling Thunder?
VC attacks on a U.S. base in Pleiku resulting in 100 U.S. casualties.
This marked the beginning of sustained U.S. bombing of North Vietnam.
What was Operation Rolling Thunder?
Sustained US bombing of N Viet. Creates 2 fronts: N Viet bombing/ S Viet ground combat
What strategy did U.S. commander William Westmoreland launch against VC?
He launched a ‘search and destroy’ campaign against the VC.
The VC wore no uniforms and blended into villages during the day.
How did U.S. casualties affect public opinion?
U.S. casualties increased on TV, leading to rising criticism, but LBJ stood firm, stating ‘We will not withdraw.’
What was the U.S. goal in Vietnam according to Johnson?
The U.S. could not ‘win’ but aimed to prevent the VC and North Vietnam from winning and force a settlement.
What were ‘Teach-ins’?
‘Teach-ins’ were held at colleges to express criticism of the war.
Who launched an investigation of U.S. policy in Vietnam?
Sen. William Fulbright, head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
What was Kennan’s view on containment in Southeast Asia?
Kennan, who inspired the ‘containment’ policy, said containment wasn’t important for Southeast Asia.
How did Johnson respond to anti-war protesters?
He called them communists and used government agencies to punish them.
What terms describe supporters and opponents of the Vietnam War?
‘Hawks’ support the war, while ‘Doves’ oppose it.
Why was Vietnam called the ‘living-room war’?
It was the first war to be televised.
What did Johnson admit about the Vietnam War?
Johnson admitted that Vietnam was ‘a mess.’
How did U.S. bombing in Vietnam from 1965 to 1968 compare to WWII?
From 1965 to 1968, the U.S. dropped more bombs in Vietnam than in all of WWII.
The U.S. fought a limited war while the Vietnamese fought an all-out war.
