The Cold War- Vietnam Flashcards

1
Q

What was Vietnamization?

A

the term used by Richard Nixon to describe US policy towards South Vietnam in the later stages of the Vietnam War. Vietnamization was Nixon’s policy to enable South Vietnam to take a greater responsibility for the war while America started a planned withdrawal, while at the same time supporting the government in Saigon in its fight against the Viet Cong.

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2
Q

In ___, Nixon announced the first reduction in troop numbers – Vietnamization were to be withdrawn. However, this still left ___ US troops in South Vietnam. In ___, Nixon announced a further ___ men were to leave South Vietnam.

A

June 1969, 515000, December 1969, 60000

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3
Q

French came back wanting Vietnam again- war for _ years

A

1945, 9

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4
Q

China goes communist and helps Vietnam and the US backs France w __ a year

A

1949, $500mill

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5
Q

Vietnam divided into North and South. US prevented elections bc they feared communists would win

A

1954

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6
Q

North Vietnam army creates the Ho Chi Minh trail to carry supplies down to South Vietnam

A

1959

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7
Q

North Vietnam creates the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam (Viet Cong)

A

1960

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8
Q

___ American ‘advisors’ help organise the S.Vietnam army

A

1961, 16000

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9
Q

The Viet Cong uses guerilla tactics against S.Vietnams army and gov. More american advisors and equipment arrives in Vietnam

A

1962/3

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10
Q

North Vietnamese patrol boats fire on American warships on Gulf of Tonkin. The American Congress give Johnson authority to do whatever he thinks necessarcy

A

1964

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11
Q

Operation rolling thunder
American combat troops (___marines) come ashore at Da Nang
Major Viet Cong offensive
Battle in La Dreng Valley - comms heavily lose

A
1965
Feb
March,3,500
June/Sep
November
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12
Q

The US begins policy of Vietnamization - US air power continues to bomb N.V intense fighting continues throughout year ___ battle for Hamburger Hill

A

1969, May

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13
Q

Fighting spreads to Cambodia-US Secretary of State Kissinger and N.V leader Le Duc begin secret peace talks

A

1970/71

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14
Q

Most American forces now out of Vietnam, Maj comm offensive in __ captures most land but is recaptured by S.V army by the end of the year. American heavy bombers bomb __ and ___

A

1972, March, Hanoi, Haiphong

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15
Q

Ceasefire signed in __ and end of draft in the USA- last US troops leave Vietnam

A

1973, Paris

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16
Q

Major NV army offensive against SV

A

1974

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17
Q

SV capital Saigon falls to communists; US officials evacuated by helicopter

A

1975

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18
Q

Japan’s initial involvement in Vietnam

A

conquered Vietnam in WW2, Viet Minh emerged from communist Ho Chi Minh. Viet Minh entered Hanoi 1945 and declared independence

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19
Q

France initial involvement in Vietnam

A

Before ww2 Vietnam ruled by France, 1945 wanted to rule again, 9 years of war with Viet Minh and the French. Ho supported by China. French pulled out in 1954

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20
Q

America initial involvement in Vietnam

A

1954, US prevented elections from happening. 1955 helped Ngo Dinh Diem set up the Republic of South Vietnam bc he was anti-communist. Supported him w $1.6 billion + he was overthrown by the army in 1963 who were just as bad and supported by the US.
In response, Viet Cong formed and attacked American air force and supply bases.

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21
Q

Why did the US get increasingly involved in Vietnam

A

CONTAINMENT
stopping the spread of communism
DOMINO THEORY
Eisenhower was convinced China and USSR planning to spread communism through Asia. Vietnam would lead to Laos, Cambodia etc.
AMERICAN POLITICS
1950s +60s won elections by talking tough about communism
MILITARY/INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
Gov. gave huge budgets to military commanders- both military and big businesses encouraged more war for money

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22
Q

Main reasons for US involvement

A

French Losing 1954
Gulf of Tonkin Ships fired at 1964
Containment/domino theory

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23
Q

Ho Chi Minh death

A

September 1969

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24
Q

Viet Cong training

A

Had experience and HO helped them train- but very little training

25
Q

Viet Cong tactics

A

Used booby traps - small bombs, used poison and faeces
wore down enemy morale and used ho chi minh trail- americans shouldn’t have bombed because they were in Laos and Cambodia, but they did anyway

26
Q

Viet Cong Support

A

China, North Vietnam, Villagers, Laos and Cambodia

27
Q

Viet Cong extra benefits

A

Had a motivated mindset and encouraged the US to do drugs

28
Q

US Army training

A

little training- 1 year to be soldier, 3 weeks basic training and 8 weeks advanced

29
Q

US equipment and supplies

A

Had helicopters, armoured vehicles, chemical weapons,(agent orange) and large bombs. Had guns food ammunition, medical supplies, grenades but were loaded down by heavy military backpacks

30
Q

US methods

A

used blanket bombing, including bombing Ho Chi Minh trail

Search and Destroy tactic in villages to try and find Guerilla fighters

31
Q

US support

A

only from gov, conscription meant htat mose didnt want to be there & americans didn’t support towards the end of the war

32
Q

extra US issues

A

drug abuse, missing home, no support from media

33
Q

Military disadvantages in America

A

60% of soldiers killed aged 17-21
didn’t know what they were fighting for
majority of troops from immigrant backgrounds
over 500000 incidents of desertion

34
Q

Total war cost

A

$173 billion

35
Q

Tons of Napalm and Herbicides dropped

A

20,000 tonnes napalm, 100mill lbs of Herbicide

36
Q

How many shells fired a day

A

10000

37
Q

N.V and Viet cong deaths

A

1 million

38
Q

Total no. of US soldiers involved

A

2,594,000

39
Q

Total no. of US casualties

A

58,220

40
Q

Total no. of US wounded

A

303,644

41
Q

total military casualties

A

1.475 million

42
Q

total civilian casualties

A

4 million

43
Q

total wounded from both sides

A

2.094 million

44
Q

approximate cost for each enemy killed by the USA

A

$168,000

45
Q

The Tet Offensive

A
  • 1968 during Tet new year holiday, viet cong fighters attacked over 100 cities and other military targets
  • 4500 viet cong fighters tied down much larger US and south Vietnamese force in Saigon for 2 days
  • USA won because Viet cong lost 10,000 experienced fighters- badly weakened. Made media go negative and gov. started questioning purpose of war
46
Q

My Lai

A
  • March 1968- Charlie company started search and destroy mission in QUang Ngai in S.Vietnam- told to destroy all houses dwelling and livestock bc all villagers had left for market.
  • Early morning 16th March, 300-400 villagers murdered in 4 hours in MY LAi, mainly women children and old men.
47
Q

Result of My Lai

A

Ended in the trial for mass murder of Lieutenant William Calley. Sep 1969 charged with murdering 109 people - 10 other members charged. August sentenced to 20 years of hard labour but released in 1974.
Deeply saddened American public- clearest evidence war had gone wrong

48
Q

Early Stages of Media

A

Followed official line of policy- supported gov

US Army created MACV to liaise with journalists

49
Q

1967 and later stages of Media

A
  • TV taking over from papers, more raw account of war
  • more graphic images- increasing doubts, 1/4 of reports showed dead bodies
  • Walter Cronkite declared war was unwinnable - most agreed
  • media undermined and crippled war effort
50
Q

President Johnson started __ programme but was cancelled because

A

Great society, war cost over $20 billion so money could not be divided equally

51
Q

___ said why should he fight for a country which discriminates against him

A

Muhammad Ali

52
Q

Kent State protest
__ students died
___ students injured
___students protested and set fire to buildings which lead to more campaigns
president campaigns and gov couldn’t continue the war with such little support

A

2nd May 1970
9
11
1000

53
Q

US tried to get out of Vietnam by

1)Sweet talk

A

negotiating - 1969 Kissinger and Le Duc Tho

54
Q

2)Sneak out

A

400,000 troops withdrawn

By March 29th last US forces had withdrawn

55
Q

3)Look tough

A

bombed Laos and Cambodia March 1969 - May 1970

56
Q

4)Make friends

A

S.A.L.T treaties allow discussion between comm and non-comm superpowers
USSR and China- make them encourage Vietnam to give up

57
Q

5)Peace

A

document signed in March 1973.

58
Q

6)Remove funding :0

A

1973- S.V had no military backup, no money

59
Q

Ending the S.V War- 1975
Nixon promised to continue financial and military support to Vietnam but___ refused to allow it.New president __ also didn’t manage, so w/o US air power or military back up. __ could not survive for long. ___ N.V attacked S.V- Saigon fell to comm forces ____.
____ S.V escaped, ____ left behind

A
Congress
Ford
S.V
Dec 1974
April 1975
500,000
1 million