USA & Communism Containment Flashcards
Who controlled Korea until 1945?
Japan
How and why was Korea split after WW2?
Along the 38th parallel, because the Communist forces controlled the north and the USA controlled the south
Free elections were planned, but the USSR did not let that happen
Why could it be seen that the Korean war was Truman’s fault
- He removed American troops from south Korea
- He was inconsistent in his behaviour (in they let China become communist, why would they stop Korea?), tempting the USSR into action
- USA did not include Korea in their list of vital strategic points, and did not give them financial aid
Why did Truman succeed in gaining the aid of the UN against North Korea?
Because the USSR was boycotting the UN, wanting Communist China to be internationally recognised, so it was a lot easier as the USSR couldn’t veto.
What was the casualty ratio in the Korean War?
China and North Korea suffeed many more losses than the USA and South Korea.
When does North Korea invade South Korea
June 1950
How did North Korea have enough military power to invade South korea so quickly?
They had permission from the USSR, and were backed with soviet military advisors, tanks and ammunition
Why did the UN react to the invasion of South Korea?
- USSR was boycotting the UN because they wouldn’t let China join, meaning they cannot veto
- The USA is the main economic supplier for the UN, giving it a lot of influence on them
When was the Inchon landing?
September 1950
What happens in September 1950
MacArthur lands at Inchon, cuts off North Korean Military and pushes back North Korean forces to the 38th parallel
What happens in October 1950
MacArthur continues pushing the North Korean backwards until he reaches the Yalu river, despite Mao’s (China’s leader) threats
What happens in November 1950
China pushes back with 200,000 soldiers, pushing UN forces back and taking Seoul
Describe the Inchon landing
MacArthur leads the UN forces into battle at Inchon, cutting of North Korean troops
What happens in April 1951
MacArthur is sacked as he openly threatened China after being told to stop
What happens in June 1951
Peace talks begin, but war continues for 2 more years
What happens in July 1953
An armistice is signed and the war is postponed
What did Korea gain from the Korean War?
Nothing
What did Korea lose from the Korean War?
Casualties
- North Korean military: 520,000
- South Korean military: 70,000
- 3 million civilians
Other
- Industry and agriculture ruined
- Millions of refugees
What did the UN gain from the Korean War?
- Gained respect from the world
- Managed to work together with another country
What did the UN lose from the Korean War?
- 17,000 casualties
- UN can be seen as USA puppet
What did the USA gain from the Korean War?
- Limited success for containment (North Korea was stopped, but the USA did not get rid of communism there)
What did the USA lose from the Korean War?
- 142,000 casualties
- 12-16 billion spent, but failure to ‘liberate’ North Korea
What did the USSR gain from the Korean War?
- Did not lose any lives in the conflict
- Established friendship and control over China
What did the USSR lose from the Korean War?
They are forced into an expensive arms race with America
What were MacArthurs acheivements and failures
- Got 13 medals of bravery in WW1 at very young age
- Fought in WW2 and devised ‘Island-hopping’ strategy to win
- Personally acepted Japans defeat
- Tried to run for president in 1952 unsuccesfully
He was 70 at the time of the Korean War
What was MacArthur’s point of view
He wantd not only to contain communism, but to push it back and eventually eradicate it.
Recap the escalation of the Cuban Missile crisis
- 1959 - Cuban revolution - Fidel Castro rises to power
- June 1960 - CIA is allowed to spy & scheme against Castro
- January 1961 - Kennedy breaks of diplomatic relations with Cuba
- April 1961 - Cuban exiles land on the Bay of Pigs and lose
- May 1962 - Soviet union announces it will supply Cuba with arms
- July 1962 - Cuba has the best-equipped army in Latin America
- 14th October 1962 - American spy plane takes detailed pictures of Cuban/Soviet Nuclear missile sites under construction
- 16th - Kennedy informed of missile build up
- 20th - Kennedy decides on a blockade around Cuba
- 22nd - Kennedy anounces blockade
- 23rd - Kennedy recieves a letter from khruschev warning of soviet boats about to ignore blockade, and declaration of war if they are stopped
- 24th - Blockade begins, and the Soviet ships turn around
- 25th - More aerial photography shows that the missile bases are almost finished
- 26th - Khruschev writes a letter offering to remove the missiles if Kennedy never invades Cuba
- 27th Morning - Khruschev reconsiders, second letter demenading Kennedy remove his missiles form Turkey as well
- 27th Afternoon - Kennedy decides to delay an attack on Cuba
- 28th - Khruschev publicly gives in to Kennedy
When does Fidel Castro rise to power?
1959
Who led Cuba before Castro overthrew him?
Batista - A dictator, despised by the people, but supported by the USA simply because he was anti-communist
What was MAD?
Mutually assured destruction - the fact that if a nuclear missile was fired at a country, they have the time to fire back, therefore destroying both countries
How did Fidel Castro take control of Cuba?
A three year long propaganda campaign, then a coup
What were the immediate impacts of Castro’s takeover on the USA?
- Thousands of Cuban exiles flee to the USA and form powerful pressure groups dmanding action against Castro
- Castro takes over some American-owned businesses (especially agricultural) and hands them over to Cuba’s peasent farmer population
How does the USA respond to the Rise of Castro, and what other methods were considered?
First oil and sugar sanctions, then invasion led by ex-Cuban exiles at the Bay of Pigs, armed with American weapons and vehicles
Other options:
- Damaging sugar plantations to ruin Cuban economy
What does Castro’s mixed approach of decisions after rising to power consist of (1960)?
- Lets USA keep their naval bases in Cuba
- Allies with the USSR, getting $100 million economic aid and arms
What were the impacts of the Bay of Pigs invasion?
- Gave impression to the USSR that the USA was unwilling to get directly involved with Cuba
- Suggests that Kennedy was weak
- Strengthens Castro’s position in Cuba
- Makes Castro and Khruschev suspicious of the US policy
When was the Bay of Pigs invasion?
April 1961
What factors caused the Bay of Pigs takeover to fail?
- The Cuban exiles were outnumbered 1400 to 20,000
- Lack of secrecy on the behalf of the USA - The Cubans knew that an invasion was coming and the USA could not hide it’s involvement afterwards
- Poor links/bad cooperation between US departments
- Failure to organise a resistance inside Cuba - the attack relied on Cubans in Cuba revolting
- Not enough Spanish speaking staff
What does the USSR give Castro after the Bay of Pigs attempt?
- Public announcement to supply Cuba with with weapons (thousands of missiles, patrol boats, tanks, test bombers etc. & 5000 Soviet technicians to run these things)
- Agrees to trade theri oil with Cuban sugar as the USA decided to stop trading (an attempt to cripple Cuba)
- Secretly sends in nuclear wepons while saying the opposite to the rest of the world
How does the USA discover the missile sites in Cuba?
A U2 spy plane flies Cuba
When does the U2 Spy plane fly over Cuba and detects the missiles?
14th October 1962
What were the five options for Kennedy to deal with the Cuban missile crisis?
- Do nothing
- Surgical air attack
- Invasion
- Diplomatic pressures
- Blockade
Dealing with the Cuban missile crisis: What are the positives and negatives of doing nothing?
Positives:
- USA still has a way greater nuclear power than the USSR
- It would be dangerous to overreact to the Nuclear missiles
Negatives:
- USSR had already lied about the missiles, so they could be preparing to use them
- To do nothing is a sign of weakness
Dealing with the Cuban missile crisis: What are the positives and negatives of Invasion of Cuba?
Positives:
- Gets rid of Castro and the Missiles in one go
- The American forces are trained and ready
Negatives:
- Guarantees a soviet response e.g. declaration of war or take-over of Berlin, or protection of Cuba
Dealing with the Cuban missile crisis: What are the positives and negatives of employing diplomatic pressures?
Positives:
- It would avoid conflict
Negatives:
- A sign of weakness
- The nukes will be ready before the end of negotiation, providing additional leverage to the USSR
Dealing with the Cuban missile crisis: What are the positives and negatives of establishing a blockade around Cuba?
Positives:
- It would show that USA was being serious without declaring war
- It places the burden on Khruschev
- There are other options if this one does not work
Negatives:
- The missiles are already in Cuba and will be within a week, and a Blockade does not stop this
- The uSSR might block Berlin again
Dealing with the Cuban missile crisis: What are the positives and negatives a surgical air attack?
Positives:
- It would destroy the missiles effectively and swiftly before they are ready to be used, solving the initial problem
Negatives
- Destruction of all sites cannot be guaranteed, and even one base can strike back
- The attack would kill soviet soldiers, inciting the USSR to relatiate, e.g declare war
- Attack without warning seemed immoral
When was Kennedy informed of the Missiles in Cuba?
16 October 1962
When did Kennedy decide on establishing a blockade around Cuba?
20th October 1962
When did Kennedy announce the blockade around Cuba?
22nd October 1962
When did Kennedy receive a letter warning of the Soviet ships heading toward and ignoring the blockade from Khruschev?
23rd October 1962
When did the blockade around Cuba begin?
24th October 1962
When did the soviet ships turn back on their way towards the blockade?
24th October 1962
When did Kennedy receive Khruschev’s first negotiation letter?
26th October 1962
When did Kennedy receive Khruschev’s second negotiation letter?
Morning 27th October 1962
When was an American U2 plane shot down over Cuba, and what dos this incident cause?
Morning 27th October 1962
Kennedy advised to launch war immediately on Cuba
When did Kennedy decide to delay an attack on Cuba?
27th p.m. October 1962
When did Kennedy decide to delay an attack on Cuba?
Afternoon 27th October 1962
When did Khruschev reply to Kennedy and give in to his demands?
28th October 1962
Why did Khruschev turn back his ships from the American blockade?
He did not want to start a nuclear war
Why did Kennedy ignore the second negotiation letter about Cuba?
Giving the leverage of Turkey’s Nuclear power away would be very negative, so because the first letter had acceptabel conditions, he simply agreed to the first one.
Why did Khruschev place nuclear missiles on Cuba?
- To bargain with USA
- To test the USA
- To trap the USA
- To close the missile gap
- To defend Cuba
- To strengthen it’s own position in the USSR
What are the outcomes of the Cuban missile crisis for the Kennedy and the USA?
- Kennedy gets an improved reputation
- Kennedy shows he could rsist the hardliners in his government
- It was secretly agreed they would remove their missiles from Turkey
- The USA have to accept communist Cuba in the USA backyard
What are the outcmes of the Cuban missile crisis for Khruschev and the USSR?
- Was able to highlight his role as a responsible peacemaker
- USSR mamanged to keep Cuba safe
- They got to remove missiles from Turkey, even though they could not use it for propaganda as it was secret
- Even USA was criticised by it’s allies for having nuclear missiles in Turkey
- USSR forced to back down and remove their own missiles as well, and some soviet generals found this humiliating
- The USSR lagged behind USA in the arms race
- 1964 Khruschev was forced from power, partially because of the crisis
What were the outcomes of the Cuban missile crisis for the Cold War?
- Helps thaw cold war relations - A permanent ‘hot line’ phone link was set up from the White House to the Kremlin
- 1963 Nuclear test ban treaty is signed, limiting nuclear tests
- It became clear even though the USSR did not have as many Nuclear weapons as the USA, they were enough of a threat for Mutual destruction, which encouraged the cold war leaders to avoid direct confrontation and fight through their allies
What were the outcomes of the Cuban Missile Crisis on Cuba?
- Castro was upset about USSR deal with USA but forced to accept to keep good relationshi with USSR
- Cuba stayed communist and highly armed
- Cuba remained an important base for soviet operations
- Castro kept control of the American companies and economic recoursces he spread during his revolution
When does Stalin die?
1953
What are SEATO and CENTO?
A network of anti-communist alliances througout Central Asia, and throughout South East Asia and the Middle east.
USA gives arms, money and advice.
The other countries suppress communism.
When did the USA drop it’s bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima?
August 1945
70,000 killed instantly
Who controlled Indochina (Vietnam & a few others) before WW2?
France
Who Invaded and controlled Vietnam during WW2?
Japan
Why did France try to take control of Vietnam again after WW2?
Indochina had been theirs before the war, so they wanted it back, thinking that it was theirs, when it had, in fact, declared it’s independance
When did Vietnam declare Hanoi independent under communist Ho Chi Minh?
1945
When did the French start fighting the Vietnamese again, and how many years of war followed?
1945-54
9 years
How was the territory split during the 1945-54 war with France?
Communist forces, Viet Minh, led by Ho Chi Minh, controlled the North, while the French controlled the south
How much money did the USA pour into the French war effort 1945-54?
$500 Million
When was the Geneva agreement between France and Vietnam?
1954
What were the terms of the Geneva Agreement?
- Ceasefire between France and Vietnam
- French troops to withdraw from the south
- Vietnam divided into north and south at the 17th parallel
- Laos & Cambodia gain their independence
- National elections held every 2 years throughout Indochina (first free election would have been in 1956)
- No foreign bases (which Eisenhower ignores)
- Freedom of movement between the North and South for 300 days (Both countries use propaganda to try and gain the highest amount of people)
Why does the US decide to ban free elections in Vietnam?
The US ban free elections because they know Ho Chi Minh is a lot more popular than Diem. They want to prevent the entirety of Vietnam from becoming communist, so it does not merge or ally with China, giving them more power and determination.
What does the US decision to ban free elections in Vietnam show?
- The US are determined to contain communist and prevent the domino effect - they though after Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia might become communist as well!
- The US were ingnorant about Vietnam, as their methods and policies showed (e.g. bombing the civilians). They also did nt know that Vietnam was unlikely to join with china as they did not like them (Countries that share borders do not usually like each other as they have had disputes).
Countries that share borders do not usually like each other as they have
What are Vietnam’s feelings towards China and what do these cause?
Vietnam do not like China, so are unlikely to ally with them unless abolutely necessary, and they share a border so have had many disputes in the past
In 1955 who were the two main Vietnamese leaders?
Ho Chi Minh - Popular, Nationalist and Communist
Diem - Unpopular, Corrupt and Anti-communist
Why was Deim’s regime unpopular?
- He belonged to the landlord class, viewing himself as superior to peasants
- He as Christian and disrespected the Buddhist religion, causing many protests
- His regime was extremely corrupt
How much money did the US give Deim during the 1950s?
$1.6 Billion
When is Diem overthrown, and does this have any major impacts?
1963
He was overthrown by his own army, and replaced by an equally corrupt government, and they still received US support, but 12 military coups occurred after that, resulting in political instability.
Who were the Viet Cong?
The Communist guerilla force of the national liberation front. They were mainly composed of North Vietnamese taking orders form Ho Chi Minh, but aslo included ex-member of the South Vietnam government
Who backed the Viet Cong?
Ho Chi Minh supplied members of his army as well as arms, while China and the USSR supplied logistics and weapons.
Why were the Viet Cong popular?
They treated citizens in both the north an south vey well (if they were on the communist side of the conflict), gaining their support, and gaining popularity.
Meanwhile, US was mowing and bombing away the Vietnamese citizens
What is Guerilla warfare?
This technique is usually used when a force is outnumbered. Instead of losing on open combat, as they have less superior military power, they take out targets such as military bases or supply lines, then retreating before they can be killed. They can retreat back into nature, underground or hide among civilians (an hey do not wear uniform)
Guerilla means ‘little war’ in spanish
What was the ‘Strategic Hamlet’ programme?
A programme to move South Vietnamese villages from Viet Cong controlled areas to US controlled areas. The US supplied building materials, money and food.
Why did the ‘Strategic Hamlet’ programme not work well?
The plan backfired because people wanted to stay in Viet Cong controlled areas and the corrupt oficialls pocketed money meant to support the villagers.
When were the Viet Cong formed and started striking important South Vietnamese targets?
1960
When did J.F.Kennedy start sending his ‘advisors’?
1962
When was J.F.Kennedy assassinated?
1963
What were the impacts of Kennedy’s assassination?
Kennedy was not avid to get involved in a war as he knew the consequences, and he was only willing to send advisors.
His successor, Lyndon Johnson, former vice-president, wanted to prove himself so was in favour of engaging in a war with the Viet Cong.
When did the Gulf of Tonkin incident occur?
1964
What was the Gulf of Tonkin incident?
An unknown source, believed to be North Vietnamese forces, fired missiles on US ships, and it is unclear why. It is highly probable this was a mistake.
What were the impacts of the Gulf of Tonkin incident?
The Tonkin Gulf Resolution is passed by the US congress, giving President Johnson the power to ‘take all necesary measures to prevent further agression and achieve peace and security’
Aka He declares war
When does the USA openly get involved in the Vietnam war?
Feb 1965 - First bombing (Operation rolling thunder)
March 1965 - First experienced combat troops come ashore to Da Nang
What was ‘Operation Rolling Thunder’?
Bombing campaign against North Vietnamese cities, factories, army bases and the Ho Chi MInh Trail that started in february 1965 and continued for 3 years.
How many US marines were sent ashore at Da Nang to Vietnam in 1965?
3500
Why did the US send troops to Vietnam, and what were their motives to start a war?
- To contain communism and prevent the Domino Effect
- American arms manufacturers and the US military both placed huge pressure on the government as they need war to thrive, and had grown during the past decades, thriving on war. The US was not at war anymore but they still wanted to make money.
What were the Viet Cong tactics and assets during the Vietnam War?
- Guerilla warfare
- Support of civilians
- Commitment
- Reliable supplies (via Ho Chi Minh Trail)
- Motivated soliders
- Effective tactics
What were the US tactics and assets during the Vietnam War?
- Bombing
- Search & Destroy
- Chemical warfare
- Advanced technology
- Well trained soldier at first
Explain how the Viet Cong used guerilla warfare
- They had no known base camp
- They worked in small groups
- They did not wear uniform, makng it very hard to tell apart a civilian and a fighter
- They attacked targets, then dissapeared into the jungle, underground, or among civilians
What was the aim of Guerilla warfare?
- Chip away at the US might
- Demoralize the enemy fighters
Why did the US soldiers live in constant fear of death in Vietnam?
- Ambushes were frequent - 51% of US deaths was due to ambushes and hand to hand combat, when the Viet Cong were more confident US air forces could not intervee without killing their own soldiers
- Booby traps e.g. pits filled with bamboo stakes or trip-wire bombs were common they caused 11% of US deaths
Explain how the Viet Cong used the Vietnamese civilians to their advantage
- The Viet cong were respectful and and courteous to the Vietnamese peasants
- They helped the peasants in the fields during busy periods
- The civilians were on their side, so they could hide among them
How many civilians did the Viet Cong kill from 1966 to 1971?
27,000
Those who did not agree to the communis regime or works for the US
Explain how the morale of the Viet Cong compares to that of the US forces
The Viet Cong were fighting for Communism and for freedom. They knew if they did not fight, they would lose their country. Their lives, their lifestyle, their culture and country was at stake.
The US soldiers were afraid of the Viet Cong, demoralising them. The majority of them did not know or care about Democracy or Communism, and did not even know where Vietnam was, so they had no reason to be personally involved in the war. The only thing at stake was their own lives.
Explain how the morale of the Viet Cong forces compares to that of the US forces
The Viet Cong had a neary infinite, and seemingly unending, supply of fighters - the civilians themselves. 1 million Viet Cong were dead - but the Vietnamese refused to give in, as there were always replacement troops availabe.
The US soldiers, from 1967, were conscripted at average age 19 as they ran out of professionals. These were told they only had to fight for 1 year before going back to the US, to motivate them, but this backfired as the ones who just gained experience were sent back.
Explain how the Viet Cong got their supplies
They used the Ho Chi Minh Trail - which was constantly bombed, but 40,000 Vietnamese worked to keep it open and functional
Explain how the US used bombing in the Vietnam War
Operations such as ‘Operation Rolling Thunder’ targeted important targets such as militray bases and the Ho chi Minh trail, but also villages and towns in North Vietnam.
Did the US bombing strategies work during the Vietnam war?
From 1970 to 1972, intense bombing of North Vietnam forced it to negociate for peace.
However, air raids never completely got rid of the Viet Cong.
In addition, all the civilian casualties turned most Vietnamese civilians against the south and the US, giving the Viet Cong an advantage.
Overall, not reallly
Explain how the US used ‘Search & Destroy’ tactics in the Vietnam War
- The US had heavily defended bases near the coasts
- From there, the US launched helicopters to take troops to villages
- If an Viet Cong were found in the village, it would be destroyed, and the soldiers would come back with a body count
How effective were the US search and destroy tactics
They killed Viet Cong. However,
- The raids were based on inadequate information
- Inexperienced US troops ofter walked into traps
- Innocent villages were mistaken for Viet Cong bases.
- This tactic also pushed the South vietnamese to support the Viet Cong, making the US and South forces very unpopular
How many people were killed per weapon found by the search and destroy policy?
The body count was six per weapon found - most were innocent civilians
Explain how the US used chemical weapons in the Vietnam War
- The chemicla swere dropped from planes
- They used Agent Orange kill plants, destroying huge expanses of forest, and this chemical also terribly maimed people, starvation and birth defects
- Napalm was a highy flammable liquid (burns people to the bone) to set fire and destroy suspected guerilla bases and Viet Cong
- Many civilians and soldies were harmed by these chemical weapons
What were the deciding factors that stopped the US from winning the Vietnam war?
- Viet Cong morale and motivation
- Viet Cong guerillla tactics
- Viet Cong support from then Vietnamese popultion
- US bombing and killing of civilians
- Unexperienced troops
What effects did the Vietnam war have on US reputation
They were morally condemned by countries internationally
Why did the USA decide to overthrow Diem even though he was a US ally?
The CIA gave permission to the vietnamese revolutionaries (supported by US) to overthrow Diem, as he was corrupt and unpopular, with the agreement of J.F.K.
Why was JFK still upset by news of Diem’s downfall?
Diem was an ‘extraordinary character’, who was, even though unpopular, able to keep the country together for 10 years, and the South may not be held together anymore.
Why was Johnson opposed to McNamara’s plan for withdrawing from Vietnam?
He did not want the domino effect and spread of communism to occur.
The US honour is in question If they leave while South Vietnam is in a difficult position, their job will not be finished and they will be seen as weak.
Was it really the case that US warships were attacked by the VietCong?
They were attacked on the 2nd of August, but not on the 4rth. The weather conditions made it look like they were being attacked by torpedoes.
There was an assumption that the attack on the 2nd was done by the Viet Cong
When was the Tet Offensive?
Early 1968
Lunar New year (Tet)
What was the Tet offensive?
A coordinated Viet Cong offensive attacking over 100 villages and military bases all over Vietnam.
How did the public view on the Vietnam war vary before the Tet offensive (1965-1967) compared to after?
The USA seemed to be wearing down the Viet Cong and it seemed that it would win eventually to the US public, but after the offensive, the US confidence was shattered.
How many Viet Cong attacked the US embassy during the Tet offensive, and how successful was this attempt?
4500 Viet cong soldiers tied down and partially penetrated the US embassy for 2 days, but were then pushed back
Why did the Viet Cong fail to remain in control of the cities they captured with the Tet offensive?
- The Viet Cong relied on the help of the South Vietnamese Citizens, which did not help
- This was a larger scale attack, not guerilla warfare, which was out of the Viet Congs comfort zone and more a USA strength
What were the consequences of the Tet Offensive?
- Viet Cong lost 10,000 fighters
- The US confidence was shattered
- The US used up enormous amounts of artillery and air power
Why was the Tet offensive a turning point in the Vietnam War?
- Even though 500,000 troops were fighting in vietnam and $20 billion dollars per year, they were still not winning ad the US citizens realised this
- US citizens wondered if the death of so many citizens and the destruction of the city of Hue was justified
i.e. people start to severely question the vietnam war
What was the media reaction to the Tet Offensive?
Before the offensive, the news coverage was generally positive, but after, journalists such as Walter Cronkite started to question the war.
What was the motivation behind the US peace movement?
- The Vietnam War drained money from the US economy, money that could be used in other more useful domains, yet the USA did not seem any closer to winning
- The draft exposed racial inequality in the US a greater percentage of Black americans were conscripted and killed compared to the white americans
- The US citizens were wondering what was the purpose of the war, and if it was worth sacrificing so many lves.
How many black americans were conscripted vs white americans?
30% vs 19%
What percentage of US casualties were black americans?
22%
And they only composed 11% of the US forces
How did the media affect the US peace movement?
The media showed the massacres and the war to the houses of US citizens. As the Vietnam war was a propaganda war, all the war crimes, tortures and massacres such as the My Lai massacre were documented, fueling the US peace movement.
What did the Vietnam War become a symbol of?
Instead of being a crusade to contain communism, it ended up as a symbol of defeat and moral corruption.
How many young people had been drafted into the Vietnam War?
900,000
What Anti-war protests occurred from 1968 - 1970?
- In the first half of 1968, over 100 demonstrations occured involving over 40,000 students, and these protests would often include the burning of the US flag (which was considered a criminal act)
- In November 1969, almost 700,000 anti war protesters demonstrated in Washington DC.
This second demnstration was the largest in US history
When did the My Lai Massacre take place?
1968
What was the My Lai Massacre?
When a unit of US soldiers known as the Charlie Company were sent in a search and destroy mission, killing innocent civilians. This was described by the cameraman as ‘dark and bloody’
What false information had the unit of US soldiers (The “Charlie Company”) been told about My Lai, and how was this compared to reality?
- 200 Viet Cong Soldiers were in the village
- The villagers had gone to the market
- The soldiers were under the impression that they were supposed to kill everyone on sight
vs
- 300 to 400 civilians were killed
- Only 3 Viet Cong weapons were found
- No Viet Cong were found
How much time did it take for the My Lai Massacre to be published?
12 months
Why did it take a long time for the My Lai Massacre to be published, and how was it treated before this?
The army covered the massacre up as it was described as a success initially, and the US army knew it would disgrace them and cause public outrage
What happened after the horrors at My Lai were uncovered?
Lieutenant William Calley was accused of the mass murder of 109 civilians, and found guilty of 22 in 1971. He was condemned to 20 years of hard labour, but was released 3 year later, 1974
What was the impact of the My Lai massacre on the public?
- The US citizens were shocked, as photos of the massacre were published
- The world was exposed to what was really happening in Vietnam
- The massacre fuels the peace movement and damages the reputation of the USA
What does Lyndon Johnson realise after the Tet Offensive, and what actions does this lead him to make?
- He realised the US cannot win the war
- He reduces the bombing campaigns in hope that he could negotiate
- He announces he does no want re-election as he has failed
Why was there a strong antiwar feeling in the US in the late 1960s?
Because of the shattered morales from the Tet offensive and the blow to the US reputation by the My Lai massacre, people started to believe the US would never win the war, and there was no reason to keep fighting
Describe the US shift of perspective and aims after the Tet Offensive?
Instead of fighting to win, they awere trying to get out of the war without facing humiliation
When is President Nixon elected?
1968
What do President Nixon and National Security Adviser Kissinger aim to do from 1969 to 1973?
Get the US out of the war
What strategies did the US use to withdraw from the Vietnam War without losing face?
- Vietnamisation
- Peace Negotiations
- Increased bombing
- Improved relations with China and the USSR
What was Vietnamisation?
The process of handing over the responsibility of the war slowly to Vietnamese forces. Between April 1969 and the end of 1971, almost 400,000 US troops were removed from the war
How did improving relations with China and the USSR help the USA, and why were China and the USSR willing to negotiate?
The USSR and China fell out in 1969, so they both wanted to gain US support. It seemed they would wage war against each other. Because they tried to gain US favour, they supported Vietnam less
Why did Nixon increase bombing in 1969?
To show that the US was not weak
Who negotiated for peace between the US and North Vietnam in 1969?
US National Security Adviser Kissinger and North Vietnamese peace negotiator Le Duc Tho
When was the agreement in Paris to end the Vietnam war?
January 1973
What were the impacts of the US withdrawal of the Vietnam War?
Within 2 years, Vietnam falls to communism
Why were there no armistice of victory celebrations for the Vietnam War in the US?
- The US had suffered for 13 years and was tired of fighting
- The US was defeated - they failed to contain communism, and they do not want to remember or celebrate this
