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YEAR 11 - HISTORY > Vietnam > Flashcards

Vietnam Flashcards

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1
Q

Why did USA have to go to Vietnam?

A

Policy of containment. French failed. Gave money to Europe to stop communism spreading(Truman doctrine and Marshall plan)

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2
Q

Who was the first American dictator in South Vietnam?

A

Ngo Dinh Diem.

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3
Q

Why did American cancel the election to reunite Vietnam?

A

Worried the communists would win and Vietnam would turn communist.

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4
Q

What was the trail which the Vietcong were supplied through called and which countries did it run through?

A

Ho Chi Minh trail. It ran through Vietnam and cut through Cambodia and Laos.

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5
Q

What was the theory called that America were worried communism would trigger and which countries would it affect?

A

Domino theory. It would affect Laos, Cambodia Burma and possible India and Australia.

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6
Q

What did President Eisenhower send to South Vietnam?

A

Military advisors and equipment to the South Vietnamese army. (Non communist)

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7
Q

Who were the Vietcong and North Vietnam being supplied by?

A

Communist China and the soviets.

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8
Q

What did JFK increase sending to Vietnam?

A

Increased military advisers from 900 to 11,000, allowed US pilots to fly combat missions over Vietnam. Increased amount of money + supplies
Diem had 23,000 troops by the end of 1964.

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9
Q

What did the USA realise about Diem in 1963 and what did America do?

A

Too corrupt. There was a coup and anti communist generals replaced him in November 1963.

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10
Q

What were the national liberation front also known as and which part of Vietnam wars it set up in and who were they loyal to?

A

Known as the Vietcong. They were set up in South Vietnam in 1960 and were loyal to Ho Chi Minh.

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11
Q

What did the Vietcong attack?

A

Gov forces, officials, buildings. Made countryside unsafe for gov forces. By 1963, VC had control of 40% of the countryside.

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12
Q

Why was LBJ a turning point for Vietnam?

A

Poured troops into Vietnam from 1963-69. Realised a greater U.S. involvement was needed.

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13
Q

What date was the gulf of Tonkin incident and what was the significance of this?

A

2nd of Sep 1964. Short term trigger. U.S. Maddox attacked by 3 NV torpedo boats. Gave LBJ excuse to attack Vietnam. Aka Tonkin resolution.

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14
Q

What operation was launched which included B-52 bombers and what date was it on?

A

7th of February 1965. Operation rolling thunder.

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15
Q

What was the aim of operation rolling thunder?

A

Wouldn’t need U.S. troops, all factories, ports, military bases and supply lines e.g Ho Chi Minh trail would all become out if action.

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16
Q

What date did america realise that they needed troops in Vietnam and how many marines were out in Vietnam?

A

8th March 1965. 3500 marines came ashore at Da Nang. By July 1965 there were 180,000 troops in Vietnam.

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17
Q

What were the Vietcong tactics?

A

Ambush, AK-47’s, no HQ or uniform, Ho Chi Minh trail, small groups

18
Q

Why did the Vietcong use ambush as a tactic?

A

Attack morale, US lived in constant fear,

19
Q

What were good about AK-47’s in the Guerrilla warfare?

A

Could fire through trees, easy to clean and more resistant than the M-16 to the environment. Simple to use

20
Q

Why did the Ho Chi Minh trail stay open?

A

Had 40,000 workers to keep it open and working to supply Vietcong

21
Q

Why was the tactic ‘Hanging onto belts’ successful?

A

America couldn’t bomb them as they would kill their own men

22
Q

What were the American tactics?

A

Bombing, chemical warfare, S&D,

23
Q

Why was the American tactic of bombing successful?

A

Disrupted supply lines, killed some Vietcong

24
Q

Why was the American tactic of bombing unsuccessful?

A

Only slowed them down, incredibly expensive, 14000 US aircrafts shot down, turned SV against them

25
Q

Why did America use agent orange and napalm?

A

Destroy forest where VC hid

26
Q

Why was the American tactic of agent orange and napalm unsuccessful?

A

Turned VC and American public against US military

27
Q

Why was the American tactic of S&D unsuccessful?

A

Lots of civilians killed, US troops walked into traps, destroyed morale, poor information provided

28
Q

When JFK finished sending troops, how many did Diem have in which year?

A

Diem had 23,000 troops by the end of 1964.

29
Q

Why did LBJ feel there was a need for a greater involvement in vietnam?

A

Feared a total Communist takeover of Vietnam

30
Q

What were the American mistakes?

A 
S&D tactics - My Lai massacre
Bombing tactics
Chemical warfare
TV war
Peace movement
31
Q

What were VC strengths?

A

Guerrilla warfare - effective

TET offensive

32
Q

What did Ho Chi Minh believe could defeat superior forces?

A

Guerrilla tactics

33
Q

What were the principles of Guerrilla tactics?

A

Retreat when the enemy attacks, raid when the enemy camp, attack when the enemy tire and pursue when they retreat

34
Q

How many civilians did the VC kill between 1966-71?

A

27k

35
Q

When was the TET offensive?

A

On the new year holiday in 1968 (Jan 31st)

36
Q

What did the VC attack on the holiday?

A

Over 100 cities and military targets

37
Q

What did the VC most famously take over with how many troops during TET?

A

Tied down a much larger American and SV force for 2 days with 4.5k fighters

38
Q

Why was the TET offensive a disaster for the VC?

A

lost 10k experienced fighters and were hoping the SV would rise up with them, but they didn’t. Now badly weakened

39
Q

What questions were raised about the USA after the TET offensive?

A

They had 500k troops and $20B was being spent, so why are they able to launch a major offensive that took them completely by surprise?

40
Q

What % of Americans wanted to pull out the war by 1969?

A

Over 50%

YEAR 11 - HISTORY (8 decks)

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