Vietnam 1954-1963 Flashcards
Where was the first important battle in Vietnam?
Dien Bien Phu
When was the first important battle in Vietnam?
13th March 1954 (Dien Bien Phu)
What were 2 reasons for the first important battle in Vietnam?
France wanted to regain its former colony.
The Vietnamese wanted their independence
What was the communist Vietnamese party called?
Vietminh
Who led the Vietminh?
Ho Chi Minh
What happened after Japan Surrendered in WW2?
Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam was now the Democratic Republic of Vietnam
Why didn’t the US help Vietnam secure their independence?
Viewed Ho Chi Minh as a communist sympathizer; supported ally France
How did the French react to the formation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam?
Established the (Pro-French) State of Vietnam in the south (were there was less support for Ho Chi Minh)
Who ruled the the State of Vietnam?
Emperor Bao Dai who was under the control of the French
When did China become communist?
1949
Why did th fear of communism spreading grow in 1949?
China became communist and started suppling the Vietminh with supplies, weapons and advisers
By 1954 how much was the US spending in Vietnam?
80% of the cost by France including advisers
What happened right before the battle at Dien Bien Phu?
The French built an airstrip hoping to lure the Vietminh into battle
What was the Vietminh strategy at Dien Bien Phu?
Surrounded the base with 50,000 troops with artillery on the mountain (which took months) and anti-aircraft guns and cut-off the French’s from supplies and re-inforcement
Who did the Vietminh have in reserve at Dien Bien Phu?
Another 50,000 soldiers and 200,000 civilians helping them to move supplies up the mountain
How long did the battle of Dien Bien Phu last?
55 days
When did the French surrender at Dien Bien Phu?
7th May 1954
Why didn’t the Americans get involved at Dien Bien Phu?
The U.S. involvement in the Korean War, with the lost 34,000 American lives made it unlikely for Congress to support another war in Asia so quickly
What were the main reasons that the French lost at Dien Bien Phu?
Geography - French base located in a basin, surrounded by 5 hill tops
French lacked adequate supply lines; dependent on air support
Vietminh had superior fields of fire from the hill tops for their artillery and anti-aircraft weapons
Vietminh had sustainable lines of supply
How did local support lead to the Vietminh victory?
Local villagers provided the labor to move supplies, repair the roads, provided intelligence on French military activities by spying
What did the Geneva Accords do?
Divided Vietnam along the 17th parallel
Ho Chi Minh controlled North Vietnam
Bao Dai controlled South Vietnam
For up to 300 days people of Vietnam could move between the North and South freely
No foreign troops could set up bases in Vietnam
In July 1956 elections would be help for leadership for a united Vietnam (under international supervision)
Who did Bao Dai elect prime minister?
Ngo Dinh Diem
When was Diem elected Prime Minister?
June 1954
How did Diem get control of South Vietnam?
Bao Dai went to France so Diem ruled the country