US Involvement In The Vietnam War 1954-75

Question 1

Who was Ho Chi Minh?

Answer 1

A Vietnamese Leader who led various revolts against Japan, France and USA

Question 2

Who were the Viet Minh?

Answer 2

A group of vietnamese communist guerilla fighters against the japanese

Question 3

Who were the Viet Minh led by?

Answer 3

Ho Chi Minh

Question 4

What did the Viet Minh do when the Japanese left?

Answer 4

They took control and set up the Democratic Republic of vietnam

Question 5

What was the French reaction to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam?

Answer 5

They wanted to take back control of the area and got USA’s military help

Question 6

Why did the US help france with taking back control of Indochina?

Answer 6

The US did not support Ho Chi Minhs communist beliefs

Question 7

After the french lost the battle of Dien Bien Phu, A peace agreement was made.
What was the peace agreement called?

Answer 7

The Geneva Accords.

Question 8

What did the Geneva accord of 1954 agree on?

Answer 8

Vietnam would temporarily be split into two
In 1956 electrons will take place to decide the leader the of the whole country
Cambodia and Laos will become independent

Question 9

What did Indochina consist of?

Answer 9

Vietnam
Cambodia
Laos

Question 10

How was the country split following the Geneva Accord in 1954?

Answer 10

Communist North
Capitalist South

Question 11

Why did the USA feel the need to het involved with Vietnam Events?

Answer 11

If nothing was done, communism will spread throughout south east asia

Also, an increase of communist countries will strengthen the soviet union in the cold war

Question 12

What were the reasons president Ngo Dinh Diem became increasingly unpopular?

Answer 12

He was a catholic in a buddhist majority
Spent most of adult life in US - couldnt connect with people
Gave government jobs to family

Question 13

What were the reasons for increase US invokvement in the Vietnam War?

Answer 13

Containing communism and the domino theory
Escalation of communist rebellion

Question 14

Who were the Vietcong?

Answer 14

South vietnamese communists who wanted to overthrow the government

Question 15

Why was the Escalation of communist rebellion a reason for US involvement in the Vietnam War?

Answer 15

If Vietcong suceeded, all of vietnam could become communist

Question 16

How did the US try and prevent the Vietcong taking over South Vietnam

Answer 16

Sent south vietnam more monu and equipment
Attacks worsened and had to end up sending their own troops in 1964

Question 17

Who was helping the Vietcong take over South Vietnam and How?

Answer 17

Ho Chi Minh was sending support and weapons

Question 18

What does it mean when the vietcong used ‘Guerrilla’ tactics?

Answer 18

The frequently attacked larger enemy forces

Question 19

What were some tactics the Vietcong used against the USA?

Answer 19

Guerilla warefare
Complex tunnels to hide and move easily
Booby traps

Question 20

What were some booby traps the Vietcong made?

Answer 20

Punji traps (holes in the ground containing sharp sticks covered with posion
Bombs triggered by trip wires
Mines

Question 21

How did the tactics of the Vietcong affect US soilders?

Answer 21

Increased number of deaths
Demotivated the Troops

Question 22

What were some Discipline problems within the US armed forces?

Answer 22

Drug abuse to cope with the anxiety
Running away

Question 23

What advantages did the Vietcong have in the war?

Answer 23

They were familiar with the land
They were used to the weather unlike the US

Question 24

What was Operation Ranch Hand of 1962?

Answer 24

Dropping cancer causing chemicals from the air to destroy jungles and land

Question 25

Why was Operation Ranch hand 1962 significant to Vietcong?

Answer 25

Caused birth defects and serious illness
Ruined farms and jungles

Question 26

What was Operation Rolling Thunder 1965?

Answer 26

A heavy bombing campaign to destroy North Vietnamese cities so they surrender

Question 27

Operation Rolling Thunder was extremely expensive, however not very effective.

Why was it not effective?

Answer 27

Most people lived outside the cities and vietnamese civillians were evacuated

Question 28

What was the Tet Offensive 1968?

Answer 28

The Vietminh and Vietcong launched distraction attacks and took over lots of south vietnamese cities

Question 29

What was the My Lai Massacre 1968?

Answer 29

Where Lieutenant Willaim Calley killed 700 innocent civilians of My Lai village

Question 30

Why was the My Lai Massacre so significant?

Answer 30

It demonstrated that the war was dehumanising and no longer about communism

Question 31

How did students of Kent State University protest in 1970?

Answer 31

Lit fires and smashed windows
Burned down a university that was used to train troops

Question 32

Why did the Mayor declare a state of emergency?

Answer 32

Due to the dangerous protests of students

Question 33

On May 4th 1970, the national guard ended up using tear gas on students.

How did it escalate from there?

Answer 33

Students picked up the tear gas and rocks and threw it back.
National guard ended up firing at the students

Question 34

Shortly after the Kent State shootings, protests began at the black Jackson State University in Mississippi. Police opened fire and killed two students.
How did people respond?

Answer 34

News was in favor of the white police officers.
Police lied about the incident