Vietnam

Question 1

Were there any threats to French rule in Vietnam before the war?

Answer 1

Yes in 1930 but the revolt was brutally crushed.

Question 2

When did Japan take control over Vietnam and why?

Answer 2

1940 because France lost to Germany in WW2 and Japan was Germany’s ally

Question 3

What happened in 1945?

Answer 3

The Viet Minh declared Vietnamese independence in Hanoi.

Question 4

When did the war between the Viet Minh and the French start?

Answer 4

1946

Question 5

What happened in 1949 and why was this significant?

Answer 5

China declared itself communist and helped the communists in North Vietnam.

Question 6

What did America do as a result of what happened in 1949 in China?

Answer 6

Started giving $500 million a year to the French war effort to prevent the domino effect as part of the US policy of containment.

Question 7

When was the 17th parallel established and what was it?

Answer 7

In 1954 at the Geneva peace talks. It marked the divide between North and South Vietnam.

Question 8

What did the US do in 1955?

Answer 8

Put Ngo Dinh Diem in control in South Vietnam, after having boycotted the ‘Free elections’.

Question 9

What was Diem like as a leader?

Answer 9

Corrupt but anti-communist so the US supported him

Question 10

When were the Viet Cong set up?

Answer 10

1960

Question 11

When did Kennedy send ‘advisors’ in and who were they really?

Answer 11

1962 and they were military personnel

Question 12

What happened in 1963?

Answer 12

Diem was overthrown but the next government was pretty much the same

Question 13

When was the Tonkin Gulf Resolution and what was it?

Answer 13

1964. North Vietnamese ships opened fire on US ships. Johnson passed a law to justify America’s war in Vietnam.

Question 14

When was Operation Rolling Thunder and what was it?

Answer 14

1965 and it was a bombing campaign by the US

Question 15

What three events happened in 1968?

Answer 15

The TET offensive, the My Lai massacre and Nixon was elected president.

Question 16

What was the TET offensive?

Answer 16

When the Viet Cong attacked over 100 cities and military targets and tried to capture the US embassy in Saigon. The US had to use lots of ammunitions and money to reclaim what they had lost. It marked a turning point as it raised questions about the war.

Question 17

What was the My Lai massacre?

Answer 17

Charlie company were sent on a search and destroy mission. They were told that 200 Viet Cong would be in an HQ and all other people would be at market. Kill all in sight. Over the course of 4 hours, 300-400 civilians were killed and only 3 weapons recovered. The US pretended it was a success but 12 months later it gets investigated. Lieutenant William Calley charged with the murder of 109 people and 10 others charged. Showed how wrong the war had gone.

Question 18

What began in 1969?

Answer 18

Kissinger started having peace meetings with Le Duc Tho.

Question 19

What was SALT and when did it start?

Answer 19

It stood for strategic arms limitation talks and started in 1970.

Question 20

When did Nixon start asking China to pressure Vietnam to end the war?

Answer 20

1972

Question 21

When was a ceasefire agreed?

Answer 21

1973

Question 22

What happened in 1975?

Answer 22

South Vietnam fell to the communists.

Question 23

What happened in 1969 and why was this significant to the US?

Answer 23

USSR and China fell out so they both tried to improve relations with the USA.

Question 24

When was the Indo-Chinese party established and by whom?

Answer 24

1930 by Ho Chi Minh

Question 25

How the US perceived the war?

Answer 25

Civil rights in USA joined the campaign against the war. Media showed how horrific the war was. Expensive-$20-$30 billion a year. Huge death toll- by 1968, 300 US soldiers were being killed every week. 1968- conscription introduced as not enough volunteers. Chants.

Question 26

Long term consequences of the war?

Answer 26

Destroyed forests. High numbers of refugees. Low morale. Difficult to feed the population. 700000 US soldiers suffered flash blacks. Agent orange sometimes caused cancer. Loss of confidence in US government. Even in 1990s boat people felt communist brutalities. 2000000 Vietnamese killed. Drug addiction- drugs accessible (30% of US troops took heroin).

Question 27

How many Viet Cong soldiers in 1965?

Answer 27

170000

Question 28

Viet Cong tactics?

Answer 28

Retreat when enemy attacks. Raid when enemy camps. Attack when enemy tires. Pursue when enemy retreats.