Vietnam (1945-63) Flashcards
Who was the leader of the Vietnamese Communist Party?
Ho Chi Minh
How much of the French bill for the First Vietnam War was America paying by 1953?
80%
Give three reasons why the French decided to leave Vietnam in 1954.
Dien Bien Phu
Lack of French public support
Tactics of Giap and the Viet Minh
Popularity of Ho Chi Minh
When was the Geneva Conference?
1954
Who was the leader of South Vietnam after 1955?
Diem
Give three reasons why Diem was unpopular
Corrupt
Nepotism - brother Nguyen
Catholic
Weakness of the military
How many Communists were there in the South by 1959?
2000
How many advisers were in Vietnam in 1960?
800
How many advisers were in Vietnam by 1963?
16,000
What was the Strategic Hamlet programme?
Villagers would be moved to new settlement and guarded. It was believed that they would be able to identify Communists by isolating them.
How many Strategic Hamlets had been created
3000
How many Strategic Hamlets were under the control of the VC by 1963?
2600
When was the Battle of Ap Bac?
January 1963
What happened during the Battle of Ap Bac?
ARVN forces faced only 350 lightly armed VC fighters. Failed to defeat them.
Give three reasons why JFK might have escalated the war in Vietnam
Domino Theory and containment
Personal beliefs
Situation in South Vietnam
Actions of previous presidents
What Was the Buddhist Spring?
A large scale protest against discrimination against Buddhists in Spring 1963. At least 9 were killed when the police and army fired at the crowd.
Who was Thich Tri Quang?
First Buddhist to carry out self immolation in June 1963.
When was JFK assassinated?
November 1963
Who assassinated Diem in November 1963?
Generals of the South Vietnamese Army
Who was Henry Cabot Lodge?
US Ambassador to South Vietnam in 1963
When did the First Vietnam War begin?
1946
What was the Domino Theory?
Eisenhower believed that if one country fell to the Communists it’s neighbour would also fall like a domino.
How much of Laos did the Communists control by the 1950s?
50%
What was the name of the Communist Party in Laos?
Pathet Laos
What did Kennedy sign in Laos?
A neutrality agreement. He disliked it as he thought it made him look weak.
Who was Dean Rusk?
Kennedy’s Secretary of State.
Cool relationship with Kennedy