The Vietnam war Flashcards
what were the 2 reasons why America became involved in Vietnam?
containment- stopping the spread of communism
domino theory- if Vietnam fell to communism then other countries will fall as well
what was the my Lai Massacre?
A unit of young American soldiers called Charlie company were ordered to carry out a search and destroy raid on the hamlet of My Lai on 16th March 1968
what were soldiers told in the my lai massacre?
anyone in the village at the day of the raid would be Vietcong members or supporters as the villagers would have gone to market
how many people were killed in the first 4 hours?
300-400
how many weapons were actually found?
3
in what way was the tet offensive a success?
they recaptures the towns captured in offense
media was generally posotive
10,000 viet cong were killed
in what way was the tet offensive a failure?
in the process they used loads of artillery and air power
the ancient city of Hue was destroyed
civilians were killed
in what way was America failing to win?
spending a lot of money
not being able to take down communism
Civilians were being killed
America looked weak
what was Vietnamization?
A policy set up by Nixon which gradually withdrew US troops from conflict
why did Nixon follow the policy Vietnamization?
so that he could withdraw troops without looking weak
what happened in May 1969?
the first consignments for the massive build up of weapons for the ARVN began (south Vietnamese army)
where was the peace conference held to try and reach an agreement with North Vietnam about withdrawal?
At the Paris peace talks
when the conference reached a stalemate, how did Nixon respond? (cambodia, what the ARVN achieved by 1972 and the decision over christmas 1972)
- in 1970 the US bombed Cambodia to destroy Vietcong supply lines
- He ordered further bombing
- The ARVN backed up US power and forced them back
when was it agreed that there would be a cease fire?
on 23rd January 1973
what was agreed on the day of the ceasefire?
the Vietcong would remain in position
when was the last American soldier withdrew from Vietnam?
March 1973
when did fighting between north and south Vietnam resume?
in 1974
what key city fell in April 1975?
Saigon, the Southern capital
what were the 5 types of protesters?
students, African Americans, celebrities, Christian groups and farmer soldiers
why were students involved in protesting?
when being drafter and after the my Lai massacre
why were African Americans involved?
12% of the army were African Americans
why were celebrities involved?
they felt war was wrong
why were christians involved in the protests?
they felt it was morally wrong
why were farmers against war?
they felt soldiers hadn’t accomplished anything with their dying breath
