US Involvement in Vietnam

Question 1

How long did US involvement last in Vietnam?

Answer 1

1950s - 1975

Question 2

What did US policy-makers believe?

Answer 2

That poorer countries would be more likely to become communist

Question 3

What is the Domino Theory?

Answer 3

The idea that if one nation fell to communism, others would follow like toppling dominoes

Question 4

What does the Domino Theory sum up?

Answer 4

US fears of communism spreading and the threat it posed in Indochina

Question 5

What was the Red Scare?

Answer 5

Widespread paranoia about the communist threat in America

Question 6

What was the McCarran Act?

Answer 6

It stated that all communist organisations were to be registered and reduced job opportunities for communists

Question 7

What was MaCarthyism?

Answer 7

When Senator Joseph MaCarthy said he had a list of over 200 communists working for the government. He accused anyone who he thought could influence people

Question 8

How did MaCarthy take his accusations too far?

Answer 8

When he accused 45 army officers for being communist - with no evidence

Question 9

When did Eisenhower become President?

Answer 9

1953

Question 10

When did Kennedy become President?

Answer 10

1960

Question 11

How was the US involved in Vietnam at the start?

Answer 11

They sent weapons, planes, helicopters and advisers to train the ARVN

Question 12

When was Kennedy assassinated?

Answer 12

1963

Question 13

What 7 things did Eisenhower do to be involved in Vietnam?

Answer 13

Invited South Vietnam to join SEATO to work with other countries to stop the spread of communism
Sent CIA agents to Saigon to gather intelligence for the US government
Used propaganda to gain more support for Diem and to turn the people of Vietnam against Ho Chi Minh
Gave supplies, money and military equipment to South Vietnam
Sent military advisers to train the ARVN
Tried to get Diem to carry out land reforms to try and keep the peasants happy
Did not force Diem to hold an election in South Vietnam in 1956

Question 14

What 6 things did Kennedy do to be involved in Vietnam?

Answer 14

Did not tell US press about US involvement in Vietnam as he was worried about the public opinion
Increased the money given to the ARVN, this meant that the troop numbers grew from 150,000 to 170,000 by the end of 1961
Increased military experts in Vietnam
300 helicopter pilots were sent to South Vietnam to transport ARVN pilots
Did not stop the coup against Diem
Supported the Strategic Hamlet Programme

Question 15

What was the Strategic Hamlet Programme?

Answer 15

Was introduced by Diem, was described as a way to help S.Vietnamese peasants defend themselves against the Vietcong
However, it was actually a way of cutting off support for the Vietcong

Question 16

Why did the Strategic Hamlet Programme not work?

Answer 16

By the summer of 1963, over two thirds of the population had been moved - and most were angry as a result. This increased support for the Vietcong