The Global War 1955 – 1963: Conflict in Asia - Indo-China Under Ho Chi-Minh in the North and Diem in the South Flashcards
Who controlled Vietnam Since 1887
France
Who did France lose Vietnam to in 1940
Japan when they invaded in WWII
After the Japanese were defeated in WWII who rule
briefly The Democratic Republic of Vietnam, led by Ho Chi Minh
When was the Franco-Vietnam War
1946-54
In 1952, USA were footing ….% of the French bill
In 1954, USA were footing ….% of the French bill
As part of containment, USA support France
In 1952, USA were footing 30% of the French bill
In 1954, USA were footing 80% of the French bill
What battle does the Franco-Vietnam War end with
The Battle of Dien Bien Phu
When is the Battle of Dien Bien Phu?
March - May 1954
What happens at The Battle of Dien Bien Phu
Viet Minh defeat French as the French positioned themselves in a basin + Viet Minh’s tactics of disguising as civilians
When was the Geneva Conference on Indo-China
1954 April - July
Why was Minh unhappy with the Geneva Conference?
As the Viet Minh were winning the War, even raised their flag at Dien Bien Phu.
So felt negotiations were not fair
What was agreed at The Geneva Conference?
Vietnam divided at 17th parallel
Communists w/ Minh as PM in North
Diem, pro-capitalist premier in South, with Bao Dai (puppet emporer)
Truce
There would be election after two years for a single Vietnamese government
Reactions to the agreement
US and North Vietnam did not sign it, South weren’t even present- had no legal force
Did not satisfy the north as failed at reunification and Ho cried as they exited
US not satisfied as land given to communists and domino partially fallen.
French not satisfied as lost a colony.
Who was Ngo Dình Diem
Became president of Sout Vietnam in 1955
pro-US, pro-capitalist
Very unpopular, bhuddist persecution
When does Diem depose Bao Dai in rigged election
Oct 1955
With Diem as President what was established in the South after Bao Dai was deposed
The first Republic of Vietnam (RVN)
Outline the main events of Indo-China under Ho Chi-Minh in the North and Diem in the South
• August 1955
- Diem refuses to hold elections in 1956 to reunify Vietnam
• 1956
- North Vietnamese army puts down revolt and about 6000 are killed
• August 1956
- Ho Chi Minh issues public apology for aggressive land reform policy
• January 1959
- VWP decides to adopt revolutionary violence strategy towards Diem
• December 1960
- National Liberation Front is formed
When does Diem refuse to hold the planned 1956 elections on reunification?
August 1955
What does Ho Chi Minh focus on following the decision to not hold national elections?
- Ho Chi Minh focuses on consolidating communist power in North Vietnam to fight for reunification of Vietnam
- This included Minh’s Vietnam Workers’ Party making land reform
Land reform
• Process
- Regime seized privately owned land and redistributed it among the rural farming population
- Landowners and landowners were publicly denounced
- Thousands executed and many more imprisoned in labour camps
- Much of advice on process had come from China
• Effects
- In 1956, the military had to put down a revolt and 6000 people were killed
- In August 1956, Ho Chi Minh issues a public apology for aggressive implementation of land reform programme
- 1 million refugees flee from North Vietnam to South
- Many victims of policy were communists with little wealth
- Full-scale collectivisation was underway and agricultural production had increased
How many people were executed and imprisoned in labour camps during Ho Chi Minh’s policy of land reform?
- Thousands executed
- Many more imprisoned in labour camps
When did the North Vietnamese army have to put down a revolt against land reform? How many people were killed?
- 1956
- About 6000 killed
When did Ho Chi Minh issue a public apology for his aggressive land reform policy?
- August 1956
How many refugees fled from North Vietnam to the South following Ho Chi Minh’s aggressive land reform policy?
- About 1 million
Revolutionary violence strategy
- January 1959the VWP committed to reunifying Vietnam
- This served as a declaration of war on the South
- Aimed to use military force to overthrow Diem’s regime and the ‘ruling power of the imperialist and feudalist forces’, including the US
- Emphasis on political struggle
- North supported anti-Diem groups in the South
- Led to the creation of the National Liberation Front in the South in December 1960
When did the VWP commit to a revolutionary violence strategy against Diem? At what meeting was this agreed at?
- January 1959
- Fifteenth Plenum of the VWP Central Committee
When was the NLF formed?
- December 1960
What were the characteristics of Diem’s leadership?
- Nepotistic
- Corrupt
- Repressive
- Political opponents silenced
- Divisive policies
- Focused on the preservation of his own power
Give examples of Diem’s corrupt policies
- Diem’s brother Ngo Dinh Nhu served as prime minister, and other members of his family were given lucrative posts in government
- Large amounts of US economic aid, such as those designed for agricultural improvements, were fraudulently taken by Diem’s officials and his family
- Diem created a loyal and corrupt ruling group and the support of the US
What is the name of Diem’s brother and what position was he given?
Ngo Dinh Nhu
PM
Who was John Foster Dulles and what did he say about the US supporting Diem?
- US Secretary of State
- Admitted that the USA supported Diem ‘because we knew of no one better’
Who coined the term ‘domino theory’
Eisenhower, idea of communism spreading to neigbouring countries
He was determined to stop domino falling in Vietnam
How many military advisors were sent during Eisenhower’s presidency
700
