US Responses Flashcards
What was hearts and minds?
When the Americans put money into South Vietnam to show they cared
How did the US try to improve the conditions in South Vietnam?
Dug drainage ditches
Improved communications with roads, canals, and bridges
Built schools and clinics
Provided homes for refugees
Encouraged local democracy
Why did the US’ bombing campaign begin?
After the Vietcong allegedly attacked US boats in 1964 (Gulf of Tonkin)
What was search and destroy?
US helicopters would land in villages
Troops would search every home for signs of the VC
Suspects were killed on a whim and whole villages were torched
What was Agent Orange?
A herbicide used to destroy the undergrowth from 1966-71
Estimated that 3 million have been affected by the product
Over 150,000 children born with birth defects
What was napalm?
A sticky and highly flammable jelly which killed many from 1965-1972
What was Operation Rolling Thunder?
The blanket bombing of N. Vietnam
1965-68
Began as strategic bombing avoiding cities
Over 643,000 tons of bombs were dropped
What were the financial damages of Rolling Thunder?
North Vietnam: $300 million
USA: $900 million (strategic failure)
What did LBJ say to justify the bombing campaigns?
“We must meet aggression with action”
They must “convince the leaders of North Vietnam that we will not be defeated”
Why did Rolling Thunder become a blanket bombing operation?
Its aim of making the North back down wasn’t happening.
How many Vietnamese children have been born with birth defects as a result of chemical warfare?
Over half a million
How many tonnes of bombs were dropped during Rolling Thunder?
643,000
Why did Operation Rolling Thunder end?
To try and encourage peace talks
