VIETNAM ESSAY BACKGROUND Flashcards
What years were the Vietnam Era?
Around 1955(after Geneva accords in 1954) to around 1975
What was Indochina?
The peninsula in South Asia containing Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia that was colonized by the French before World War 2
What was the terrain like in Vietnam?
It was very swampy, and perfect for gurilla warfare, and terrible if you were going to fight in Vietnam as a foreigner. There was a lot of dense jungle, rice patties, and marshes. The Vietcong and Vietminh would set up disguised pit-like traps with sharp sticks on the bottom, sometimes coated in poison.
What was the background of the Vietnam Era?
Indochina used to be a French colony. In world war 2, when the French lost to the Germans, Vietnam went to the Japanese. After Germany and japan lose the entire world war 2 , the French want Vietnam back, but the Vietnamese want independence. Then dien bien phu happens, which leads to the geneva accords.
Who was Ho Chi Minh
The communist leader of north Vietnam who wanted full Vietnamese independence
Who was the first US president involved in the Vietnam War?
Dwight D. Eisenhower
What years were Eisenhower elected?
1952-1956
What was the domino theory?
If one country in Asia falls to communism, the rest will follow
What events in the Vietnam Era happened under Eisenhower?
- Dien Bien Phu
- The Geneva accords
What was the battle of dien bien phu?
Ho Chi Minh wanted independence for Vietnam, and the French wanted “their” territory back. They engaged in the battle of dien bien phu. America was on the French’s side because we were allies, however, the Vietnamese Army won.
What were the Geneva Accords, what countrys were involved, and what was the outcome?
The Geneva Accords were a series of meetings in 1954 between Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, the U.S., Britain, and France in Geneva, Switzerland to determine the fate of Vietnam. It was eventually decided that free elections would be held in 1956 in Vietnam.
Why didn’t free elections happen in Vietnam?
Ho Chi Minh was favored to win , and Eisenhower did not want Vietnam to become communist, so they call the elections off.
Who was Ngo Dinh Diem
He was the leader of South Vietnam. He persecuted the Buddhists and pocketed US funds meant for building public resources in South Vietnam.
What was self immolation?
One of the ways that Buddhist Monks protested Diem’s rule was by setting themselves on fire in the middle of the streets.
