Vietnam C2 (Opposition) Flashcards
1
Q
Reasons for initial support
A
- cold war, domino theory
- patriotism, capitalism superior
2
Q
Reasons for initial growth in opposition
A
- Tet offensive
- presidential changes (bombing Cambodia)
- increased death toll
- cost of war
- civil rights
- draft
- media
- mohammed Ali
3
Q
Reasons for growth in the Late 60s
A
- student number against it rose
- “counter culture movement”
- protests: sit ins, boycotts ext
- “students for a democratic society”, carried Castro posters and supported the North
4
Q
Why the draft was controversial
A
- untrained young men
- poor families mostly (couldn’t avoid it)
- ‘lottery’ system
5
Q
How people avoided the draft
A
- college students until graduation
- only sons exempt
- workers exempt
- studying/ staying abroad exempt
6
Q
Importance of the Media Coverage
A
- seen as enemy
- pictures with real story (dead soldiers)
- destroyed morale
- White House thought they staged events
- Tet Offensive televised
- people sickened
7
Q
My Lai Massacre 1968
A
- Charlie company Search + Destroy
- even though not fired at they killed a whole village + animals
- big cover up
- enquire into it found out the truth
- Calley’s trial, criminal charges
8
Q
Kent State University 1970
A
- peaceful protests after Cambodia bombing
- National Guard broke it up
- violence increased, protesters throwing rocks
- National Guard opened fire killed 4 people
9
Q
Increased Political opposition
A
- politicians saw it as unwinnable and were pacifist
- over $100 billion spent
- damaged US reputation
10
Q
Changes in Congress to oppose the war
A
- president could not do what he wanted
- funding cut for troops
- refused funding for the south
11
Q
What changes in congress led to
A
- no funding meant the southern Government in Vietnam collapsed
12
Q
Support for the war
A
- ‘red scare’
- Hard Hat Riots, clashed with Anti war protesters (represented to working class)
- ‘Silent Majority’ not for or against war, but supported Nixon
- congress still some funding
- patriotism, people loyal to the government they could be ‘loosing face’
13
Q
Reasons VC wanted peace negotiations
A
- lost aid from USSR/ China
- Bombing of Cambodia
14
Q
Reasons US wanted peace negotiations
A
- casualties
- reduced funding
- anti war campaigns
- no victory in sight
15
Q
Agreements at the Paris Peace Accord 1972-73
A
- US troops return in 60 days
- ceasefire
- equipment/ prisoners returned
- USA aid reconstruction of the whole country
- new government in Vietnam elected
- countries accept Vietnam as their own country
