Vietnam Revision Flashcards
Who was Ho Chi Minh?
He was the leader of North Vietnam and was a communist.
He was leader from the years 1945-1969
Fought for vietnams independence under communist rule.
He co-founded the Indochinese Communist Party in 1930 and later led the Việt Minh independence movement against French rule.
What did Ho Chi Minh want ?
End French Colonial Rule
Unify Vietnam (communist control)
Resist foreign influence
Improve Social Equality (land reforms and wealth redistribution)
What did the French do in indochina
Economic exploitation:
Resource Extraction: colonial regime prioritised the extraction and export of resources such as Coal.
Infrastructure Development: To facilitate resource extraction and trade, the French invested in infrastructure projects such as railways, ports
The French aimed to impose their culture, language, and institutions on the local population,
French colonial authorities introduced Western-style education systems and promoted Christianity
What happened at Dien Bien Phu? Why was this important?
two months of intense fighting, the Viet Minh overran the French defenses. On May 7, 1954, the French garrison surrendered
led to the collapse of French colonial authority in Indochina. Subsequently, the 1954 Geneva Accords were signed, resulting in the withdrawal of French forces and the temporary division of Vietnam at the 17th parallel,
What was agreed at the Geneva conference ?
Boa dia would minister south Vietnam
French forces would withdraw from the north of Vietnam
There would be democratic elections for a single Vietnamese government in two years time
S+N couldn’t make foreign military alliances
What was the us reaction to the agreements at the Geneva conference?
Eisenhower agreed to respect it but did not sign it
They did not want free elections to unite the country as they believed Ho Chi Minh would win.
Who was Diem
Choose to lead south Vietnam by USA because of his militant anti communism.
US backed him as they knew of no one better
Oct 1955- beat boa dia in a referendum to choose a president to lead new republic of Vietnam.
Us encouraged Diem not to pursue the idea of free elections.
Problems with Diem
Gave key positions in the government to his family eh his brother which caused resentment.
Alienated the peasants
Dependent on us aid
1955-1959 used concentration camps to kill 12,000 suspected communists.
How did Eisenhower support Vietnam and Laos?
Vietnam worked closely with the Pathet Lao an the loatian communities who controlled half the country by 1954.
Geneva accords confirmed loas independence
It was incorporated into SEATO and set aid advisers
Eisenhower advised Kennedy loas could not fall to communism and was important.
What was agreed in Laos
The Geneva Accords (1954): Recognized Laos as an independent and neutral country after French colonial rule.
What support did Diem get under Kennedy?
Us advisers supported ARVN units and there were claims that they were winning.
Also supported by US personnel carriers, helicopters and bombers.
Why was Diem assassinated?
The Buddhist crisis
Loss of us support
Who was Kennedy’s main adviser and why was this significant?
Robert McNamara (Secretary of Defense)
Strong supporter of military intervention in Vietnam.
Used data and systems analysis (the “McNamara Doctrine”) to justify troop increases.
Later admitted U.S. policy mistakes in Vietnam.
These advisers shaped Kennedy’s Vietnam policy, initially supporting advisers and counterinsurgency instead of large-scale military intervention.
They influenced the U.S. response to the Diem regime, indirectly leading to the coup and Diem’s assassination.
Their policies set the stage for deeper U.S. involvement after Kennedy’s assassination in 1963.
Would Kennedy have removed the troops?
Kennedy would not have removed the troops .
Reasons why:
Would not want to leave Vietnam without achieving victory in presidential election first
Would delay withdrawals till post election to ensure little loss of support for his party
