Vietnam Flashcards
Who was leader of communist north?
Hi chi Minh
Who was the leader of the anti communist south?
Dime
Diems government
Catholic who ruled over Buddhists. Hates by population. Part of USA’s containment policy. USA supported to stop the domino theory
USA early involvement
USA began to send military advisors. In 1961 Kennedy in read number of advisors to 11000. Vietcong were supported by China and Russia. 1963 diem was removed replaced by anti communist generals. By 1963 Vietcong had 40% of the countryside? Kennedy increased supplies to Vietnam.
Johnson’s involvement
Operation rolling thunder. 1965 180000 American troops sent to Vietnam. Then soon after over half a million. The Tonkin incident gave Johnson an excuse to increase American activity.
Vietnamese tactics
Americans had better equipment and equipment but much of this was rendered useless in the jungle. Ho Chi Minh trail allowed Vietcong supplies. Sabotages, booby traps, and ambushes- rarely head on gunfights- frustrated Americans(my lai). Because of Vietcong support they could easily blend into the population.
American tactics
Whole villages were moved to form strategic villages-careful control of who entered and left. Defoliation by the use of agent orange. Napalm was used on villages and killed many innocents. These tactics killed 300000 civilians in a war that was to save them from the evils of communism. Vietcong’s tunnels meant tactics had little affects.
Tet offensive
Huge failure for communists. Easily defeated by the u.s.a. To public at home it looked bad because it seemed that there was still a large communist threat in Vietnam and the u.s were losing.
America leaving
300 Americans being killed per week. Very expensive war and public did not like that. Kent university incident. My lai. Vietnam was Americas first televised war. Very unpopular. Americas were never going to win because Vietcong were able to be defensive seeing as they were fighting for independence.
