The Cold War- Vietnam Flashcards
What was Vietnamization?
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.
In ___, Nixon announced the first reduction in troop numbers – Vietnamization were to be withdrawn.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.
June 1969, 515000, December 1969, 60000
French came back wanting Vietnam again- war for _ years
1945, 9
China goes communist and helps Vietnam and the US backs France w __ a year
1949, $500mill
Vietnam divided into North and South. US prevented elections bc they feared communists would win
1954
North Vietnam army creates the Ho Chi Minh trail to carry supplies down to South Vietnam
1959
North Vietnam creates the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam (Viet Cong)
1960
___ American ‘advisors’ help organise the S.Vietnam army
1961, 16000
The Viet Cong uses guerilla tactics against S.Vietnams army and gov. More american advisors and equipment arrives in Vietnam
1962/3
North Vietnamese patrol boats fire on American warships on Gulf of Tonkin. The American Congress give Johnson authority to do whatever he thinks necessarcy
1964
Operation rolling thunder
American combat troops (___marines) come ashore at Da Nang
Major Viet Cong offensive
Battle in La Dreng Valley - comms heavily lose
1965 Feb March,3,500 June/Sep November
The US begins policy of Vietnamization - US air power continues to bomb N.V intense fighting continues throughout year ___ battle for Hamburger Hill
1969, May
Fighting spreads to Cambodia-US Secretary of State Kissinger and N.V leader Le Duc begin secret peace talks
1970/71
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 ___
1972, March, Hanoi, Haiphong
Ceasefire signed in __ and end of draft in the USA- last US troops leave Vietnam
1973, Paris
Major NV army offensive against SV
1974
SV capital Saigon falls to communists; US officials evacuated by helicopter
1975
Japan’s initial involvement in Vietnam
conquered Vietnam in WW2, Viet Minh emerged from communist Ho Chi Minh. Viet Minh entered Hanoi 1945 and declared independence
France initial involvement in Vietnam
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
America initial involvement in Vietnam
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.
Why did the US get increasingly involved in Vietnam
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
Main reasons for US involvement
French Losing 1954
Gulf of Tonkin Ships fired at 1964
Containment/domino theory
Ho Chi Minh death
September 1969
Viet Cong training
Had experience and HO helped them train- but very little training
Viet Cong tactics
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
Viet Cong Support
China, North Vietnam, Villagers, Laos and Cambodia
Viet Cong extra benefits
Had a motivated mindset and encouraged the US to do drugs
US Army training
little training- 1 year to be soldier, 3 weeks basic training and 8 weeks advanced
US equipment and supplies
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
US methods
used blanket bombing, including bombing Ho Chi Minh trail
Search and Destroy tactic in villages to try and find Guerilla fighters
US support
only from gov, conscription meant htat mose didnt want to be there & americans didn’t support towards the end of the war
extra US issues
drug abuse, missing home, no support from media
Military disadvantages in America
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
Total war cost
$173 billion
Tons of Napalm and Herbicides dropped
20,000 tonnes napalm, 100mill lbs of Herbicide
How many shells fired a day
10000
N.V and Viet cong deaths
1 million
Total no. of US soldiers involved
2,594,000
Total no. of US casualties
58,220
Total no. of US wounded
303,644
total military casualties
1.475 million
total civilian casualties
4 million
total wounded from both sides
2.094 million
approximate cost for each enemy killed by the USA
$168,000
The Tet Offensive
- 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
My Lai
- 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.
Result of My Lai
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
Early Stages of Media
Followed official line of policy- supported gov
US Army created MACV to liaise with journalists
1967 and later stages of Media
- 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
President Johnson started __ programme but was cancelled because
Great society, war cost over $20 billion so money could not be divided equally
___ said why should he fight for a country which discriminates against him
Muhammad Ali
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
2nd May 1970
9
11
1000
US tried to get out of Vietnam by
1)Sweet talk
negotiating - 1969 Kissinger and Le Duc Tho
2)Sneak out
400,000 troops withdrawn
By March 29th last US forces had withdrawn
3)Look tough
bombed Laos and Cambodia March 1969 - May 1970
4)Make friends
S.A.L.T treaties allow discussion between comm and non-comm superpowers
USSR and China- make them encourage Vietnam to give up
5)Peace
document signed in March 1973.
6)Remove funding :0
1973- S.V had no military backup, no money
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
Congress Ford S.V Dec 1974 April 1975 500,000 1 million
