Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

HISTORY > THE VIETNAM WAR > Flashcards

THE VIETNAM WAR Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
AP® U.S. History flashcards European History 101 flashcards AP® European History flashcards AP® World History flashcards World History 102 flashcards U.S. History 102 flashcards World History 101 flashcards U.S. History 101 flashcards
1
Q

what were the events of dien bien phu

A

french control of Hanoi in November 1946 pushed the Vietminh into the jungle

French attacked peasant villages

In the spring of 1954 a small french Air Force base in dien bien phu was surrounded by 50,000 Vietminh soldiers

The Vietminh bombed the runway and trapped the french

The french ran out of supplies causing them to surrender on May 1954

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

When was the Geneva Agreement

A

1954

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what was the Geneva Agreement

A

Vietnam would divide on the 17th parallel
Ho Chi Minh would rule the north
ngo dinh diem would rule the south

The french would leave Vietnam

The Vietminh would leave south Vietnam

Vietnamese could live wherever

A general election would be held before 1956

Laos and Cambodia would be independent

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What caused tension in the July 1956 vote

A

Punishing peasant off their land
Key jobs to families and friends
Punishing opposition
Called an election in October 1955 earlier than agreed angering Ho Chi Minh

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what happened at the July 1956 vote

A

America suggested that the voting paper should have two colours - green + red

Diems name was on the red side as linked to good luck in Vietnam

Diem claimed he won the election by 98.2% of the vote so was elected president of south Vietnam

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Who were the two groups opposing diem

A

National Liberation Front

Buddhists

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

WHY and HOW did the NLF National Liberation Front oppose diem

A

why - nationalist wanted land to be given to peasants. Wanted north and south to unite

how - they targeted officials in diems government. Later they were encouraged to fight ARVN

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

why and how do Buddhists oppose diem

A

Why - felt targeted as diem was catholic. Diem introduced anti-Buddhist policies eg they needed permission to worship

How - went on hunger strikes, held mass rallies, set fire to themselves (self immolation). They gained lots of media coverage as would invite foreign press

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

who supported diem

A

ARVN has more money and weapons as US supported them

USA gave ARVN fighter jets and helicopters

The USA had launched a propaganda campaign against north Vietnam

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what were the Vietcong aims

A

Vietnam to be united under their ideologies - communism
More rights and land for peasants
A government that represented everyone in society

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What were the causes of war in Vietnam

A

Clash of ideologies
Gulf of Tonkin
Already a war in Vietnam

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

who supported Vietcong

A

Both peasants and middle class supported Vietcong

Peasants wanted their land back so they were prepared to feed and hide the Vietcong

Had code of conduct

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what were the Vietcong tactics

A

Guerrilla tactics

Attack in small groups

Didn’t wear uniforms so could blend in with peasanTs

Used the Ho Chi Minh trail

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What was the domino theory

A

Eisenhower believed that if south Vietnam fell into communism then the rest of Asia/counties around Vietnam would also fall to communism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what was Eisenhower’s political involvement

A

Invited to South Vietnam to join SEATO to work to stop the spread of communism

Sent CIA agents to Saigon to gather information

Used propaganda to gain more support for Diem and turn the people of Vietnam against Ho Chi Minh

Tried to get diem to carry out land reforms to keep peasants happy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What was Eisenhower’s military involvement

A

Sent millibars advisers to ARVN

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

what was Eisenhower’s financial involvement

A

Gave supplies military and money to south Vietnam

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

what was Kennedy’s political involvement

A

Didn’t tell US press about US involvement as he was worried about public opinions

Supported the strategic hamlet programme

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What was Kennedy’s military involvement

A

Increased millibars experts in Vietnam

300 helicopter pilots were sent to transport ARVN

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What was Kennedy’s financial involvement

A

Increased the money given to ARVN

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What was the Strategic Hamlet Programme

A

Introduced by diem in 1962 and supported by Kennedy

A way to cut off the peasant support of the Vietcong

Peasants were moved away from their villages into hamlets surrounded by barbed wire and fence. It backfired and support for Vietcong went up by 300%. - over 2/3 of the population had been moved away and were angry

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

When was the golf of Tonkin

A

1964

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What happened in the gulf of Tonkin

A

3rd August 1964

  • three north Vietnam torpedo boats head towards Maddox
  • us jets sink one of the boats and damage two

4th August 1964

  • a report comes in from Maddox saying north Vietnam is going to launch another attack
  • Johnson then launched an attack on north Vietnam

7th August 1964
The us government approves the gulf of Tonkin giving Johnson the power to take any military measures necessary

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

what was the guerrilla warfare Vietcong tactic and how successful was it

A

Retreat when enemy attacks
Hit and run - no open battles

Psychological war far PTSD
America lost 58,000 soldiers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Vietcon - why did they wear no uniform and how successful was it

A

Blend in with peasants, America didn’t know who to attack

Americans killed in comment people so looked bad.
America didn’t know who to attack

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

why did the Vietcong have no base and how successful was it

A

America couldn’t attack them all at once

Yes they could disappear into the jungle into tunnel system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Why did the Vietcong have a tunnel system and how successful is it

A

300 km underground for the Vietcong to hide if they heard American helicopters
Avoid American bombs

$400,000 to kill one Vietcong soldiers
Stopped Americans main bombing tactic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

why did the Vietcong do ambushes and how successful are they

A

Stop Americans air attacks on Vietcong through the risk of killing American soldiers

51% of death caused by ambushes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

what were the Vietcong punji sticks and bouncing betties tactics and how successful were they

A

Slow down Americans due to their ‘no man left behind’ policy - psychological warfare
Spring traps caused infections

Psychological advantages infected soldiers - 11% of deaths cause

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What was the code of conduct Vietcong tactic and how successful was it

A

To have the supper of peasants so they would cover tunnel systems. Tortured and killed soldiers who were caught stealing or abusing villagers

Almost all peasants helped Vietcong

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

what were the terror tactics of the Vietcong and how successful were they

A

Terror tactics for allies of US

provoke fear to us anyone who was found helping US would be killed

Peasants were scared of Vietcong meaning they’d help

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

what was the US tactic of operation rolling thunder and how successful was it

A

Blanket bombing to scare Vietcong into surrendering

not successful as planes could be heard where Vietcong could escape down tunnels. Friendly fire and civilians were hurt making America look bad

33
Q

what was the US tactic of agent orange and how successful was it

A

Chemical weapon

Defoliate then jungle where Vietcong were hiding

Not successful as Vietcong could use tunnels. Civilians starved because it killed their crops losing support. Toxic chemical caused cancer

34
Q

what was the US search and destroy tactics and how successful were they

A

Zippo raids

Search for Vietcong equipment and villages who supported Vietcong. They would burn the village down

Not successful as America looked bad no compensation was given and villagers lost homes

My Lai Massacre

35
Q

what was the US tactics of napalm and how successful was it

A

Chemical weapon

Defoliant to burn back foliage

Not successful and hurt civilians. Hurt Americans good image

36
Q

describe a Vietcong soldier 7

A 
Travelled light
Fast and nimble 
Ration of rice and water 
Used to hot and humid thick jungle 
Knife for making punji sticks
Main weapons is AK-47
Easier for all environments better than American weapons easier to operate
37
Q

What was the gun thst American soldiers use

A

m16

38
Q

Why were the American guns bad

A

Would jam near water

39
Q

What was the American soldier like 7

A

Some would blow up their own commanding officer
Many soldiers had spent life in the city- not used to jungle
Nylon boots which have drainage to let water our- reinforced soles to stop punji traps- makes them heavy
Smoke grenades used to show us helicopters where they are- frag Grenades would sometimes explode being caught on plants
Soldiers were drafted into war and served one year- would go to jail
Uniform would rot in the heat and damp
Carried ration packs ammunition and lots of water which was heavy

40
Q

What were the problems for us soldiers 8

A 
Vietcong punji traps -infection 
Climatising 
Hygiene 
Vietcong surprise attacks caused Americans to always be on edge 
Heavy uniform and equipment
PTSD
Pain injuries / trench foot
Mosquitos causing malaria
41
Q

What were the political problems for us solders

A

Weren’t treated well when they went home because of tje negative image the war had

42
Q

what was the tension for us soldiers

A

Felt demoralised as they didn’t understand what they were fighting for

43
Q

When was the tet offensive

A

1968 30th January

44
Q

What happened at the tet offensive

A

US soldiers taken by surprise when vc attacked over 100 cities = change tactics
10,000 ARVN US soldiers were killed
US embassy was taken
50,000 US soldiers pushed back + killed 50,000 Vietminh and 10,000 Vietcong
The us won but was portrayed as a loss

45
Q

What were the consequences of tet

A

The media turned against the war
Cronkite declared it unwinnable

America turned against the war as it was costing $30 billion a year - 300 soldiers a week

Johnson said tjst if the lost Cronkites support then he’d lost the support of middle America - didn’t stand for re-election

general west more land asked for 200,000 troops to finish the war - Johnson refused

46
Q

Who was Walter Cronkite

A

Well respected journalist - very influential
Had a daily show on CBS that 35 millions families watched
Went to Vietnam to cover the war and was shocked
Against the war
Influenced public opinion against the war

47
Q

When was the my lai massacre

A

1968

48
Q

What happened at the my lai massacre

A

Pinkville allegedly had lots of Vietcong and troops

Charlie company search and destroy mission gone wrong

Nearly 500 civilians were murdered

49
Q

Consequences of my lai

A

14 were charged with murder

Lt called was found guilty of murder - given a life sentence - released after 3 years

50
Q

what was the early war coverage like 4

A

Censored not to show the harsh realities
Commercial - tv companies didn’t want to lose money from people turning over
Army pressure - army told journalist to turn off cameras do didn’t look bad
Army journalists approved and given permission to report on war

51
Q

who was Ron reidenhour

A

Soldier wrote about my lai massacre

52
Q

Who was lt calley

A

PTSD

Scapegoat for my lai

53
Q

What was later war coverage like 5

A

Colour tv - looked more realistic and violent
35 million homes had a colour tv
More search and destroy missions were going rogue and people wanted to hear about it
Better visual and sound recording - more images broadcast of better quality
Walter Cronkite influenced people into believing that the war was unwinnable

54
Q

Why was the war so unpopular

A

Failure of tje great society
Money wasted = $30 billion a year on war
Race issues - 12% of Americans were black but 16% of soldiers were black
Media highlighted the atrocities on a daily basis
The draft was unfair - rich people could avoid it

55
Q

Who opposed the war 5

A 
Women 
Hippies
Students 
Veterans 
African Americans
56
Q

Why did women oppose the war

A

Upset the impact of their families

Couldn’t fight

57
Q

Why did hippies oppose the war

A

1969 summer of love in California Woodstock

58
Q

Why did African Americans oppose the war

A

Upset about being the main group to fight the war

59
Q

Why did students oppose the war

A

Angry and idealistic

Kent state massacre

60
Q

Why did veterans oppose the war

A

Had more respect as they had seen the war

61
Q

what opposition to the war happened in October 1965

A

First anti war demonstrations

62
Q

What happened in the opposition to the war in October 1967

A

100,000 March on Lincoln memorial and 30,000 on the pentagon

63
Q

What happened to oppose the war in 1967

A

Dr king came out against the war and the failure of the great society -$30 billion a year on war

64
Q

What happened to oppose the war in 1968

A

There were 500,000 us soldiers in Vietnam and 40,000 drafted each month

15,000 were killed per year with 110,000 casualties

Families ruined

65
Q

What happened in 1967 with veterans

A

Veterans against the war was formed and many threw away medals
Many young men 18-26 threw away medals

Muhammad Ali refused the draft and was sentenced to prison (overturned) and banned from boxing for 3 years

66
Q

When was the Kent state massacre

A

4th March 1970

67
Q

what happened in the Kent state massacre

A

Ohio
3,000 students protested

Soldiers opened fire with 67 bullets in 13 seconds

4 died + 9 injured

Put pressure on Nixon to end war and shocked people

68
Q

Who were the four who died in Kent state

A

Allison Krause
Jeffrey Miller
Sandra scheuer
William Schroeder

69
Q

What was operation linebacker

A

In April 1972 the us launched a new bombing campaign
This destroyed roads factories and supply lines
Led to protests around the world

70
Q

What was vietnamisation

A

Nixon wanted the war to continue until there was ‘peace with honour’
Nixon’s policy to reduce us troops giving ARVN more responsibility
In June 1969 - 25,000 us troops withdrew followed by 30,000 in September
Unsuccessful ARVN was not strong enough

71
Q

What was the mad man theory

A

Nixon’s administration tried to lake north Vietnam leaders think Nixon was irrational and volatile so people would avoid the us

72
Q

What happened in Cambodia

A

In March 1969 Nixon allowed Cambodia to be bombed to destroy Vietcong bases and the Ho Chi Minh trail - this failed

In April 1970 Nixon ordered us troops into Cambodia and wanted to send 150,000 more troops n - led to mass demonstrations

Cambodia’s people were forced into supporting communist like the Khmer Rouge

73
Q

What happened in Laos

A

Early 1971 Nixon thought ARVN had been well trained so used them for an attack on n Vietnam troops hiding in Laos

US artillery was used

ARVN was easily beaten and in spring 1972 n Vietnam attacked the south as revenge. Communists took over Laos

74
Q

What was the watergate affair

A

In 1972-4
Nixon’s team were caught spying on the Democratic Party

The pentagon papers were leaked about the president lying to Americans = credibility gap

Nixon had to resign before he was impeached

Added to the pressure of Nixon’s failed policies

75
Q

What were the terms on the Paris treaty 1973

A

Immediate ceasefire

All prisoners of war released in 60 days

Withdraw all us forces and bases

Self determination for south Vietnam

76
Q

What was the impact of the war on Vietnam citizens

A

Chemical warfare led to horrific birth defects due to dioxin

2 million killed and 5 million injured

Unexploded bombs killed people for decades after

Napalm caused awful burns and disfigured victims

77
Q

What was the impact of the Vietnam war on the environment

A

Crops were damaged and led to food shortages

Streams and rivers were poisoned

5.4 million acres of forest destroyed

78
Q

What was the impact of the war on us troops

A

Soldiers who handled agent orange developed cancer

Veterans were not welcome

79
Q

What happened at the peace talks

A

1969- Nixon asked Kissinger to begin peace talks saying n Vietnam troops should withdraw meaning Lott ikr progress was made

October 1972 - they reached a provisional agreement

January 1973 - the agreement was signed

March 1973 - all us troops had been withdrawn from Vietnam

HISTORY (6 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions