The strengths of North Vietnam Flashcards
How did Vietnam once being one country benefit North Vietnam?
- It meant they had a good geographical and cultural understanding of the South
- They had good knowledge on the natural environment of the South
- They shared a language with the South
What did the North Vietnamese expect of their citizens?
Full commitment, from the oldest to the youngest children
What were children given for the war?
Military training and they performed support roles- like carrying messages
What was North Vietnams attitude to its citizen’s opposing the aim of war?
Political opposition to the government wasn’t allowed
What was the significance of Soviet and Chinese support for North Vietnam?
They sent over $3 billion in aid to North Vietnam between 1954 and 1967
How did the USSR support North Vietnam from 1965?
They became their main source of economic aid
How did China help North Vietnam at the start of the war?
Against the French, they gave technical military and financial help
How did China help North Vietnam after the Gulf of Tonkin Incident?
Between 1965 and 1971, they sent over 320 000 Chinese troops to North Vietnam
Which of the Vietcong’s tactics were a huge strength in the war?
Their guerrilla warfare- they were used to jungle conditions and were well organised and equipped for this style warfare
How did the commitment of the Vietcong and North Vietnamese compare to the opposition?
The Vietcong and North troops had a clear ideology about what they wanted and why they needed to win, and thought it was an honour to die for your country.
On the other hand, the ARVN received poor training and did not believe in what they were fighting for, as well as morale for US soldiers low, as most didn’t chose their involvement in the war
how did the Ho Chi Minh trail help North Vietnam win the war?
It was a vital supply route and had thousands of Vietnamese involved in keeping the route open and workable. It also has sections with made up trails to trick the enemy
What did the Americans try and use to expose the trail?
Biological weapons
