Us Involvement In veitnam War 1954-75 Flashcards
State what these key terms are
VC
NVA
ARVN
Viet cong supprted by US
North Vietnamese army (supported by North)
Army of republic of vietnam (south vietnam)
What was Vietnam like before Eisenhowers rule
After second World war Vietnam returned to its former colonial power (France).
Battle Dien Bien Phu. French overpowered by Vietminh. France left.French 15000 troops, Vietminh 50000 and anti-aircraft guns.
Lasted 55 days
What was Vietnam like during Eisenhowers presidency
Eisenhower support south despite corrupt/unpopular leader (Ngh dinh Dien). Us believed in domino theory of communism resulting in Eisenhhower to send military advisors to help South Vietnam army.
What was Vietnam like during JFK’s presidency
Jfk increased military advisors from 700 to 1500.
Ordered building of strategic hamlets heavily defended villages where south vietnam lived.
Building of hamlets was to get villagers away from VC and protect by the ARVN
What was Diem rule in 1963 like and effects of his rule
It was very corrupt that he faced continuous opposition such as from trade unions and general strikes.
Several budhhist monks burned themselves to death.
Kennedy threatened to withdraw military aid and backed a plot to arrest Diem
Diem murdered 3 weeks before Kennedy’s
What are some changes to US involvement made under Nixon (nixon doctrine) 1969
1969 began peace talks about withdrawals of US forces but stepped up attacks on the North
Nixon doctrine 1969: US would honour its commitment and provide aid and support but no troop lead to policy of vietnamisation to provide south vietnam with resources to aid with the war.
Nixon hoped they could withdraw with honour, without looking like a defeat (abandoned South Vietnam, boosted the North)
Key features of attacks on Cambodia
Target the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Many communist killed but trail didn’t stop operating and many communists retreated into safer place.
Key features in Laos
1971, USA provided air support for South invasion to defeat communist in Laos and destory Ho Chi Minh trail.
Battle of Tchepone bloody resulted in ARVN retreating
Invasions raised doubts about vietnamisation
What tactics did VC used
They used guerilla tactics , taking cover, disgusing themselves and scattering
Complex tunnel systems heavily armed
Many traps (US cant relax)
Ho Chinh Minh trail soviet union and china sent 6,000 tonnes of supllies every day
Key features of Gulf of Tonkin
1964 increased US involvement in Vietnam. Us claimed us warships had been attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin. Gave Johnson the power ro send US combat troops to Vietnam.
Many believe that the Gulf of Tonkin incident was probably invented by the US government to justify US intervention in Vietnam.
Significance of Operation Linebacker
Heavy bombardment of North Vietnam severely damaging the industry,supplies and communciations in the North and China, USSR urged North to look for peace. Un restricted bombing campaign controversial in US as many people protested
What tactics did USA use snd impacts upon people
Search and destroy missions in Laos and Cambodia success depended on body count of Vietnamese.
Operation rolling thunder (1965) : aim to destory Ho Chi Minh trail
Chemical warfare: Defoliants ‘agent orange’ expeoing the VC from vegetation. Napalm usednto burn them from hidong. ‘Agent blue’ destroyed crops.
Had massive impacts on not only the enemy but also the civilians. The US did not manage to win the hearts and minds if the people which was significant.
Key features and significsnce of Tet offensive
1968, massive attacj on the south. All cities attacked including Saigon and the US embassy was seized by the North
North Vietnam sufferd high casualties, but the US were shocked as they got in the embassy. South seen as vulnerable , already seen as a loss.
Reasons for growth of oppositon to war
Tet Offensive, Cambodia, rising death toll, injuries, cost and length of the war, black American opposition, Role of individuals like Muhammed Al
How did people avoid war
College students could delay it until graduation, Family’s only son was exempt, some workers exempt, studying or working abroad
Impacts of media on war
Reporters were allowed to travel with the troops into the war zone and were not censored. Became known as ‘The living room war’ as many people saw footage of the war on their TV screens. This bought the horror of the conflict closer to home leading to people to oppose war.
How did the student movement oppose the war provide an example
1960s, a significant amount of students became part of the counter-culture movement – refused to live by the cultural rules of their society.
By 1965, it had 3,000 memebers . SDS angered many people because they opposed the war and openly supported the North Vietnamese
What was the public reaction to the My Lai Massacre like and how can it make people feel opposed ro war
Group of soldiers killed all the people and animals in a village.
There was a cover up and an investigation then the truth emerged resukting in a huge public outcry.
Lt Calley’s trial – convicted of killing 22 civilians in 1971, the only one brought to trial. This shows the true horrors of war and the brutality which comes sith it
What can opposition towards war lead to
After Nixon’s announcement of the invasion of Cambodia 1970 , peaceful protests began. However there were several demonstrations abd a building burnt down. State of emergency ensued. National guards opened fire killing 4 students after a brick was thrown.
Reasons for support for the war:
Cold War - fear of communism – Domino Theory, Moral/religious reasons, Freedom,Patriotism - superiority of capitalism & democracy
What are the hard hats
1970 pro war protest in NYC. 60,000 represent general working class supporting the war
What did Nixon say about the silent majority and significance.
Nixon appealed to support for the silent majority in 1969
Successful speech showed that lot of people supported his policy
