Vietnam

Question 1

What were the nfl’s aim after 1956

How did the try and achieve this ?

Answer 1

Consolidating communist control in North Vietnam in order to fight for the reunionifcation of Vietnam
Land reform

Question 2

What failed for nfl after 1956

Answer 2

August 1956 6000 were executed and many more imprisoned in labor camps and after this Ho Chi Minh was forced to issue a public apology for the failure of the land reform programme
However the significance of agricultural reform was great although there was this failure . Collectivisation was in place

Question 3

What had happened for the nfl’s by 1959

Answer 3

The strategy to consolidate communism in the North was well under way allowed Ho Chi Minh to consider a route to the unification of Vietnam more fully. It was a declaration of war.
Realised there was a powerful political struggle ? Devised a plan to overthrow diems regime and U.S. Backers by supporting anti dime groups in the south

Question 4

Describe diem regime and how this caused opposition

Answer 4

Nepotistic leader.
Ngo dinh nhu was prime minister
Used economic aid used for agricultural improvements for own pleasure
1957- Eisenhower referred die. As the miracle man of Asia
Repression of people only escalated then people’s hate

Question 5

What was the nfl’s

Answer 5

Created in December 1960 was to free South Vietnam from U.S. imperialism and reunify Vietnam
Catholics couldn’t grip the replacement of French masters to Vietnam ones
Nationalists rejected American imperialism and Vietnam lacked .
Communists wanted to creation of a communist Vietnam
10 point programme: institute a largely liberal and democratic system

Question 6

What were kennedys aim

Answer 6

Ensuring Vietnam remained capitalist and do this would commit containment and notion of domino theory. Flexible response :
Us as non nuclear capability should be expanded - reduced risk of nuclear capability and allow to react to wider range of threats
This flexible response would end eisenhowers retaliation strategy - nuclear power wouldn’t end insurgency relfecting USA fear of China
and ussr’s growing strength
Counterinsurgency

Question 7

What was the strategic hamlet program what was its weaknesses

Answer 7

Hamlets would house South Vietnamese rural peasant s from confronting the Vietcong themselves. By 1962 there were over 3000 hamlets . Large failure - peasants had to erect own fences and corrupt officials would use irrigation projects and medical supplies for themselves aim was to create a basic intstitute of democracy but entered more people into the Vietcong.

Question 8

What happened in the Buddhist crisis

Answer 8

May q1963 Buddhists were banned from flying Buddha flag in honour of Buddha while. Catholics were encouraged to fly papal flags previous week
In a speech made my tri quant nine people were killed. Tri quant met with U.S. Officials and blamed the USA for the problems because they were supporting diem

Question 9

The assassination of diem

Answer 9

Henry lodge the head of the state department of the Far East bureau recommended by roger hilsman to explore alternative leadership in South Vietnam . 29th August lodge aggreed with Kennedy to keep diem as the problems would be solved
Kennedy was reluctant to be directly involved with removal of sovereign states elected leader it would mean USA put in whole new position in protecting. Countries in Far East from communism

Question 10

Assassination of diem part 2

Answer 10

Diem was not prepared to curtail repression or bring nhu under some degree of control
War could not be won with diem in power
1 November 1963 South Vietnamese Rebels carried out a coup against diem and regime

Question 11

What were johnsons aims for Vietnam and how did he implement them

Answer 11

Primary aim was to achieve a quick victory without need to commit USA to major escalation of its role in Vietnam and avoid them being americanised.
January 1964 Oplan 34a- covert action (progressively escalating pressure to inflict increasing punishment on North Vietnam
Not willing a negotiation
Did continue kennedy’s policy increasing military advisors 16,300 to 23,000 and counterinsurgency

Question 12

Why did the USA Western European allies concern over johnsons policy

Answer 12

Especially France - general Charles de Gaulle increasing involvement could repeat France’s experience in India China

Question 13

Gulf of Tonkin incident

Answer 13

August 1964
U.S. Naval vessel attacked by North Vietnamese force in gulf of Tonkin
7 August - congress agreed to allow Johnson the power to take whatever action he felt nessercary to resist anymore armed attacks.without congress ‘like grandmas nightshirt’ covers everything

Question 14

Why was the situation in Vietnam start deteriorating for the USA in 1964

Answer 14

China supplying military supplies
USSR established diplomatic links with the nfl’s and set up a permanent mission in Moscow and military equipment sent
First of North Vietnamese forces travel down Ho Chi Minh trail
Strengthen position in many parts of the south e.g Mekong delta
Gulf of Tonkin failed to bolster South n government anti American among population as well as back home highly televised
South n army low state of moral inadequate training and low pay

Question 15

What help did Johnson reject and why

Answer 15

Why?- economic might of USA North Vietnam would back down
In Secretary General u Thant tried to arrange talks as well as efforts by Canadians
7th April 1965 key note speech - American policy in which country can are pride

In repsonse to this nv offered 4 point proposal
USA must withdraw within Geneva agreements
Neither n or s form a military alliance whilst divided
South v internal affairs dealt with by people
Peaceful reunification must only be settled by people of both zones

Question 16

What did Johnson do in repsonse to four point proposal

Answer 16

Though acceptance may lead to unified Vietnam vulnerable to communism
The marine battalions, air squadron, 20.000 troops decision to escalate usa’s military role on 28 July 1965
By July 75000 troops deployed
To nv it showed no longer defending South Vietnam but doing it for own interest boosted desire to win

Question 17

How was the engagement in ia drang valley effect tactics

Answer 17

300 dead USA
2000 dead nv
Victory for both for USA it was the high death rate of enemy
Nv- held their position didn’t give up suffered life for country

Question 18

Strengths of the USA

Answer 18

USA economic might - air field and helicopter pads constricted 1967 one million tons of supplies each month , and was able to deliver troops directly to where they needed without risk of ambush
U.S. 7th fleet controlled the sea around Vietnam free access to serving bases for air attacks

Question 19

USA weaknesses

Answer 19

Operation rolling thunder 1965-68
B52 bombs destroy nv economy and undermine Vietcong and North Vietnamese forces - when nv lost forces ussr’s and chin would supply more
1962- operation ranch hand spraying chemicals with purpose to defoliate jungle and exploit enemy e,g agent orange and orange blue - further alienated the Vietnamese peasants as their crops and livelihoods were destroyed
Anti personnel bombs pineapple bombs peasant victim of weapon and napalm
Search and destroy - find and destroy enemy in jungle and in rural villages = unessercary deaths
Idea of doing this so peasant would reject Vietcong support failed
Largely televised army had low morale
Martin Luther king questioned validity war had on civil rights even to be blamed for failure to carry out social reforms that Johnson was supposedly committed to. Lots of blacks drafted into Vietnam

Question 20

Strengths. Of Vietcong

Answer 20

Determination of ideology and nationalism of n v greatest power and unlike U.S. forces knew their way around the country and support of ussr’s and China
Ability to gain recruits among anti American disaffected rural peasants
Principles of nfl’s followed Mao : do not destroy crops, always keep your word. Always show respect to peasants, always support peasants
Guerrilla tactics-
Inability to engage in conventional warfare to undermine U.S. Forces low morale and resolve
Complex tunnels
Booby traps to hide Vietcong trip wires that would set off ground grenades and ambush small groups of U.S. forces
Ho Chi Minh trail - passed through Cambodia , Laos into South Vietnam although a regular target never disabled

Question 21

Vietcong weaknesses

Answer 21

Degree of dependency on ussr’s and China
Births economy couldn’t sustain a prolonged war even with guerrilla tactics
No guaranteed support of South Vietnamese peasants e.g yet offensive

Question 22

What was the the offensive

Answer 22

February 1968
Simulates nous military attacks launched against us
Idea was to stimulate and uprising against American with support of South Vietnamese
31 jan comm troops entered
24 feb South flag finally returned
25000 killed 5009 captured
Showed not that USA had faced debate but the war had reached a stalemate

Question 23

How did USA help France in indochina

Answer 23

By 1952, France had suffered 90,000 by 1954 USA was paying for 75 percent of costs of war

Question 24

Why did USA get involved with Vietnam

Answer 24

Domino theory
Particularly seen as vulnerable to spread of communism
Vietnam part as a wider strategy for Asia based on containing communism by defending South Vietnam , Taiwan , and Japan rather than simply just defending stability of Vietnam on its own. Useful as a marketplace for Japanese goods and strengthening Japan

Question 25

Why did USA not commit troops

Answer 25

General ridgeway - war in indochina would absorb our troops by the division Eisenhower conscious of USA unilateral military action so continued with diplomatic solution

Question 26

What was China and just role in early stages of Vietnam

Answer 26

USSR supported diplomatic rather than a military solution to growing nationalist struggle in Vietnam China wanted to appear moderate but also put pressure onto chi Minh to negotiate end of war

Question 27

What had happened by 1954

Answer 27

French at point of military defeat at dine bien phu this point negitotiations at Geneva conference were convened it was the first time that nation,Australia force beat and elite troops form a European country

Question 28

Geneva conference

Answer 28

July 1954 17th parallel dividing line Two zones French forces move out if the north French out of the North Not intended to be permanent and national election to take place in two years

Question 29

What went wrong at the Geneva conference

Answer 29

USA and regime set up in the south refused to the agreements Summed up by Eisenhower as pro American independent non communist state

Question 30

What where Nixons idea about the war in Vietnam

Answer 30

I'm not going to end up like lbj I'm going to end the war fast Peace with honour

Question 31

What was Vietnamization

Answer 31

Part of a wider strategy to limit the uses forces in foreign conflict that was u winnable

Question 32

Was Vietnamization a abode meant of South Vietnam for against

Answer 32

Slo withdrawal June 543,000 in 1969 , January 1972 156,000, June 1972 47,000 committed to a win in South Vietnam Didn't tend to leave without victory - Arvn 82,000in 1968 to on e million 1970 resisted an offence s- 8000 casualties then x5 more in North operation linebacker -150,000 tons of bombs on North - reintroduction of bombing and invasion of Cambodia and Laos Tried to get North to negotiate by encouraging them that they secure against any threats bringing about withdrawal of North which fulfilled the nfl objectives

Question 33

Vietnamization was a abandonment of South Vietnam for argument

Answer 33

Would negat growing opposition and strengthen his own power would want to end war quickly Made more dependant on us high casualty rates , low morale corruption officers was on basis on loyalty level of desertation was high Positive outcome for Nixon but ultimately little to strengthen us as aim of peace with honour

Question 34

Extension of war into Cambodia

Answer 34

March 1969 Operation menu was aimed to targeting areas regarded as safe by the North Vietnamese army and Vietcong , to severe the north side supply lines on Ho Chi Minh trail Pressurising the n Vietnamese into agreeing an acceptable peace settlement Compensate for planned Vietnamization so keep morale of army up

Question 35

How did USA increase role in Cambodia

Answer 35

March 1970 head of state prince norodom was overthrown by the pro U.S. general lon nol In response n Vietnam increased presence in Cambodia by backing ant nol communist movement Khmer Rouge led by pol pot

Question 36

What did Nixon fear in Cambodia and how did he deal with this

Answer 36

Possibility of communist Cambodia as North Vietnamese and pol pot moved towards it capital phnom penh in March 1970 This force would undermine Nixons Vietnamization because U.S. Forces would be needed to counter any pro North Vietnamese assaults on South v from Cambodia Is Nixon showed a force in Cambodia would show nv that U.S. Committed to sv Add pressure on them to compromise in diplomacy and thereby negotiating USA position this resulted in sv with U.S. air support carrying out cross boarder raids on Cambodia

Question 37

USA commitment to Cambodia

Answer 37

April 1970 USA committed 20,000 ground troops to Cambodia | Force was negated by later Nixon announcement would be withdrawing 150000 from sv in one year

Question 38

Consequences of extending the war to Cambodia

Answer 38

The ability of the Vietcong to operate in Cambodia were seriously undermined by the fact large no of jungle had been destroyed Large amounts of vietcongs supplies and equipment were either captured or destroyed No strategic gains for the U.S. From incursions into Cambodia Any possibility that North Vietnam would launch a major offensive on the South Vietnam undermined due to the losses incurred in Cambodia

Question 39

Constant battle between comm and cap in Cambodia

Answer 39

Nv moved deeper into Cambodia and supported Khmer Rouge in order to overthrow lon nol and establish a comm regime under pol pot Committed to USA to safe guarding lon nils regime as well as s Vietnam regime Invasion of Cambodia increased the USA commitment while it was trying to withdraw forces and pressure nv into negotiation in order that Nixon achieve peace with honour

Question 40

Student protests

Answer 40

In May 1970 widespread of student protests erupted Kent state university four students shot dead by the U.S. National guard Fuelled nationwide protests June - senate voted to remove the gulf of Tonkin and with its unfettered control of conduct of the Vietnam war

Question 41

Why did the negative impacts not effect Nixon

Answer 41

Determined not to lose the war and ensure Hanoi enabled him to withdraw from Vietnam peacefully and with honour . This meant extending the war still further by attacking the Ho Chi Minh trail in Laos

Question 42

Khmer rouges brutal regime

Answer 42

Responsible for one of the worst killings of the 20th century In power 1975-79 Tried to take Cambodia back to Middle Ages From cities to communal farming whole families died from execution and starvation etc Based in remote jungle and mountain area in north west of Vietnam Right wing military coup toppled head of state price norodom in 1970 entered a coalition with him and began attracting increasing support Influenced by surrounding hill tribes - who were self sufficient in communal living start at year zero

Question 43

Pol pot

Answer 43

``` Thought to be an intellectual of any sort was killed From educated middle class were tortured S21 jails 17,000 men and children and women killed ```

Question 44

End of the Khmer Rouge

Answer 44

Overthrown in 1979 The higher echelons of the party retreated to remote areas where they remained active but power became less and less Stories influence the killing fields the movie Pol pot denounced by former comrades and 1997 sentenced to house arrest

Question 45

Laos

Answer 45

Advance of 1972 feared communist push Disabling Ho Chi Minh trail through Laos would disrupt logistical support the North were so reliant on Congress had banned U.S. Troops from entering Cambodia after Cambodian incursion so would be carried out by South Vietnamese army with support of U.S. forces

Question 46

Laos

Answer 46

Feb 1971 activated operation lam son 719 To support a Arun invasion of Laos with U.S. air support to disrupt nv forces and invasion of South Inadequate number of seven attacked 30,000. Faced strong resistance and forced to withdraw Only showed Arvn was weak Leadership was weak and only interested in pleasing president Nguyen van theiui than winning battles He ordered that when casualties reached 3000 Arvn would stop any advance only got half way to this target before they withdrew

Question 47

Consequences of Laos

Answer 47

Operation proved that South only able to stand up to North with us support Encouraged North to. Become More offensive rather than defensive Vietnamization was increasingly failing to move the USA towards peace with honour