The vietnam war Flashcards
Background Information on Vietnam
Vietnam was ruled by the French until 1954 – colony
During the Second World War was occupied by Japan
Following Japanese surrender, French attempted to reclaim their territory
War of independence fought between Ho Chi Min and French
Eventually French would be forced to surrender claims – Dien Bien Phu
The country was then divided along the 17th parallel
According to Geneva Agreement – elections to be held in region to unite country
North was ruled by Ho Chi Minh – Nationalists who wanted to unite country
South was ruled by Ngo Diem – anti-Communist and American supported
Eventually civil war took grip of nation – North and South (South infiltrated by Vietcong)
Vietcong (guerilla fighters aimed at overthrowing Diem) popular with people
American Escalation of Involvement
Johnson – 1963-1969
1963 Diem is killed and new leaders emerged - would not be more popular
1963 New President in US – Johnson – escalates the war (seeking solution)
1964 Tonkin Gulf – believed N. Vietnamese ships shooting at US ships in neutral waters
1964 Tonkin Gulf Resolution passed in Congress (enables President to intervene in war)
1965 took first escalatory measures with air strikes – Operation Rolling Thunder
1965 took second measure by sending ground troops into Vietnam – increased
Johnson very patriotic – refused to lose war – or be first President to do so
Politics at home also influenced decision – popularity went up when escalated
But popularity would also decrease when clear not winning – Tet Offensive
Tactics and Fighting – The North
Used anti-aircraft guns, surface to air missiles, and fighter planes
These would be supplied by the USSR (to less extent China)
They also built mines and tunnels to protect themselves – vast underground
Made extensive use of Ho Chi Minh trail – network to supply south
Used guerilla warfare to their advantage – smaller units
Vietcong guerrillas used ambushes, planted mines and booby traps
Vietcong also carried out sabotage (usually bombs) in South Vietnamese cities
They were experts at camouflage –blended into countryside and with people
Tactics and Fighting – The South
”High-tech” war relying on the latest technology, including planes, helicopters
Also used chemical warfare on the civilians in the North – Agent Orange/Napalm
Conducted ”search and destroy” missions attempting to remove Vietcong forces
Massive bombing campaigns against N. Vietnamese military and industrial
targets
Initially selective bombing but then changed
Saturation bombing – bombing everything in sight
Hoped by killing as many as possible would force the North to surrender
De-Esculation of American Forces
Change in US Policy – Deesculation (End of Johnson)
- Failure of Tet Offensive showed no where near to winning war
- Loss of MacNamara shook confidence in Johnson administration
- Congress advocated a retreat from Vietnam after Tet
- Johnson’s approval ratings began to plummet at home
- Americans resent taxes/money spent on war (social programs needed – Great Society)
- 1967 CIA director and others stated Us could get out without suffering major loss
- Student and popular protest had a strong impact on the war effort
Nixon and Vietnam (1969-1973)
- Initially seemed to extend or escalate war – bombed Laos and Cambodia in 1969
- Determined to get out of Vietnam (saw what the war did to Johnson)
- Looked to Sino-Soviet split to help improve relations with China and get out of war
- Faced public pressure at home to end war and also decline in military morale in war
- Would pursue policy of Vietnamization (gradual withdraw from South – keep in tact)
Effects of the Vietnam War - Vietnam
Many villages and communities were destroyed during the fighting
Civilians suffered brutal treatment including torture, and murder
About two million Vietnamese are thought to have died during the conflict
The war left hundreds of thousands of orphans and wounded civilians
Economic effects devastating: fields, animals, crops and forests destroyed
The Vietnamese were soon unable to feed their population
Environment was badly damaged, littered with crashed planes, vehiclesetc
Landscape was pitted with unexploded bombs, shells and mines.
Effects of War on Americans
Thousands of soldiers were killed or wounded during war
Many returned with significant mental problems – PTSD etc
Returning veterans treated as second class citizens and targeted
Increasing student protests and mistrust of government
War cost billions of dollars for the government and people (taxes)
Some blamed war for increasing racism in US (see relations)
The USA was blamed for war crimes in Vietnam – see Mylai Massacre
Large numbers of books, films, TV shows, plays, etc. were produced
Why US Failed in Vietnam
Why US Failed in Vietnam
- Failed to win over hearts / minds of people – particularly peasants (search and destroy)
- Failed to realize war for independence – clear victory and strategy of Ho Chi Minh
- Failed to cut off Ho Chi Minh trail (allowed troops and supplies to continue south)
- First televised war at home – American resistance to images and unpopular
- Ineffectual military fighters for the ARVN (South Viatnamese)
- Corruption and poor leaders within the South Vietnamese government (Diem, Thieu)
- Communists effective fighters and popular with peasants (guerilla etc)
- American forces frequently disunited – soldiers served year or so then left – no cohesion
