Vietnam limited war

Question 1

Conflict with France (2)

Answer 1

France took control of Vietnam after ww2 due to fall of Japan - war between Viet Minh and France 1946-54 2) civilians mobilised to fight north but no political success - division of Vietnam 3) Viet Minh operatives in south though

Question 2

Conflict with US (5)

Answer 2

North Vietnam sent troops to support southern revolutionaries 2) Kennedy counterinsurgency response - left troops in vietnam -not to lose but not to win 3) US destroyer attacked by Torpedo ships - Johnson used excuse to take all steps necessary - air strikes - rolling thunder in 65 and 68. Sent more troops - aimed to hit Vietnam’s breaking point 4) Tet Crisis 68 - huge offensive by Vietnam on population centres- suprised US 5) Nixon - secret peace talks - withdrew troops -no longer goal but to abandon south and secure face saving exit

Question 3

Limited war …(4)

Answer 3

1)Kennedy not to lose but not to win -limited aims 2) not use of national resources - no additioanl tax or call up reserves - limited only to vietnam 3) limited war due to emerge of nuclear weapons - total war would be MAD 4) eurocentric concept - not limited for vietnam - many deaths to civilians - usa didn’t trust civilians due to to fear of being guerilla - atrocities