US involvement in Vietnam, 1954-61

Question 1

What did France want at the end of the Second World War?

Answer 1

To regain its former colony Vietnam

Question 2

Who were the Vietminh led by?

Answer 2

Ho Chi Minh

Question 3

What did Ho Chi Minh want?

Answer 3

Independance

Question 4

What did Ho Chi Minh declare?

Answer 4

The Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV)

Question 5

Who controlled the north of Vietnam?

Answer 5

The Vietminh

Question 6

Was Ho Chi Minh communist or capitalist?

Answer 6

Communist

Question 7

Who initially controlled the south of Vietnam?

Answer 7

France

Question 8

When did China become communist?

Answer 8

1949

Question 9

In what ways did China support the Vietminh?

Answer 9

By giving them supplies, advisers, and troops

Question 10

Who did the USA support?

Answer 10

France

Question 11

When did the battle of Dien Bien Phu take place?

Answer 11

1954

Question 12

Who was the battle of Dien Bien Phu between?

Answer 12

The French and Vietminh

Question 13

What was the result of the battle of Dien Bien Phu?

Answer 13

After 55 days of fighting the French surrendered due to the strength of the Vietminh

Question 14

Why was the battle of Dien Bien Phu significant?

Answer 14

Because it resulted in the French withdrawing from Vietnam

Question 15

When was the Geneva conference?

Answer 15

1954

Question 16

What was the Geneva Accords?

Answer 16

It divided Vietnam into two countries along the 17th parallel, separated by a demilitarised zone

Question 17

Who led the south of Vietnam after the battle of Dien Bien Phu?

Answer 17

Bao Dai until 1955, when Ngo Dinh Dien became president

Question 18

What was Eisenhowers domino theory?

Answer 18

That if Vietnam became communist, other countries in the region would follow

Question 19

What does SEATO stand for?

Answer 19

Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation

Question 20

When was SEATO set up?

Answer 20

September 1954

Question 21

What was the aim of SEATO?

Answer 21

To stop the spread of communism in Southeast Asia

Question 22

Why was Diem unpopular?

Answer 22

Because he had little respect for the rural population and Buddhists (and the majority of South Vietnam was Buddhist, but Diem was Catholic)

Question 23

What was the Vietcong?

Answer 23

The collective name for the revolutionary groups set up in South Vietnam to fight against Diems government

Question 24

In which ways did Eisenhower support Diem in the civil war?

Answer 24

By sending advisors to train the South Vietnamese army (ARVN) to fight the VC