Vietnam. Flashcards
What did the declaration of Vietnams independence lead to?
A war between France and supporters of Ho Chi Minh.
US president, Harry Truman, gave 3 million dollars to support the French.
Lead to the american fears of the spread of communism.
The battle of Dien Bien Phu, 1954 and it’s consequences.
Background.
After the war, the French wanted to reassert their rule.
However Vietminh guerrillas based in the northern areas of Vietnam became organised.
Lead by Ho Chi Minh who was a communist in sympathy- helped by many other political parties who wanted to secure their independence.
By 1950s the French controlled most cities and the Vietnamese controlled most of the countryside.
USA supported the French with money.
The battle Dien bein Phu.
What were the French and Americans fighting for?
French- to preserve their empire.
American- to fight against communism.
The Dien bein Phu.
Guerilla tactics.
French found it difficult to advance in the countryside because of guerrilla tactics- the Vietminh did not have enough power to to attack the French defensive line.
The Dien bien Phu
1954
France decided to have a showdown at Dien Bien Phu.
Controlled the routes between Vietnam and other places like Laos.
French built a defensive position.
The Vietminh guerrillas besieged a fortress.
French believed their advances firepower would lead to victory.
Vietminh attacked and attacked despite casualties.
Eventually Vietminh units broke through French defence.
The Dien bien Phu.
Statistics.
French- 4,000 killed and wounded, 8,000 missing who were mainly in prison.
Vietminh- 8,000 killed and 12,000 wounded.
The Dien bein Phu.
The end of the battle.
The battle ended French plans to hold onto their empire in the east.
But the Americans finical aid was not enough- as some French politics had predicted.
What was decided the geneva conference?
- Vietnam would be divided into two temporarily along the 17th parallel.
- The north would be under the control of the communist regime of Ho Chi Minh.
- The south would be controlled by Ngo dinh Diem, an anti communist catholic politican.
- General election in 1956 for the whole of Vietnam to decide its future.
US support: 1954-60
USA wanted to support south Vietnam against takeover from the north.
Development in Vietnam before 1964- US involvement before 1954.
Vietnam was part of the French empire until it’s occupation by the Japanese during World War Two.
Japan defeated in 1945 and Vietnam was returned to the French.
Communist leader- Ho Chi Minh opposed French control and declared Vietnams independence in September 1945.
Hearts and minds.
Aswell as trying to bomb North Vietnam.
Us wanted to help the ordinary Vietnamese people.
They built roads, schools and health clinics.
Most cities excepted the help.
But in rural areas Vietcong had control and influence so it wasn’t excepted.
Search and destroy.
Flush the Vietcong out of the countryside.
Helicopters landed and tried to get to villages before the Vietcong before they armed.
Why was search and destroy hard?
Difficult to distinguish Vietcong and Vietnamese villagers.
US soilders found conditions hard: Mosquitos, jungles and heat.
Results of search and destroy.
High rate of civilian casualties.
Us and Vietcong became unpopular with peasants.
Excessive brutality used to get information from villagers about Vietcong.
Operation rolling thunder.
When?
1965
