Vietnam - Vietnam War Flashcards
Why did America enter into the Vietnam War?
To prevent the spread of Communist influence from North Vietnam to South Vietnam, also known as the Domino Effect.
Who were the enemies of the Americans, and how did they fight?
- The Vietcong fought using guerilla tactics
- Ambushes, using traps, planting bombs
- Use of Ho Chi Minh Trail to transport supplies from North Vietnam
How did the Americans react to guerilla warfare?
- Investment e.g Hearts and Minds
2. Military
What military tactics did the Americans use?
- Search and Destroy e.g My Lai Massacre 1969
- Chemical warfare e.g Agent Orange and napalm (1965)
- Bombing e.g Operation Rolling Thunder 1965
How did investment work?
- Put money into South Vietnam to rally support from Vietnamese people
- Cities were better affected, rural areas were Vietcong controlled
What was the Tet Offensive?
31st January 1968
Vietcong full offensive on South Vietnamese cities
Seen as American victory, but media portrayed it badly
Vietcong gained little but lost much
What was the effect of protests?
- Young people (the ones who had to fight) didn’t agree with the war
- Soldiers were treated badly, oppositely to their expectations
What are examples of protests?
- Kent State University protest 1970
2. Vietnam Veterans Against the War marches
What were the Fullbright Hearings?
First recorded protest against the war, John Kerry spoke out against it. 1971
What was Vietnamisation?
1969
- Withdrawal of US troops
- Training South Vietnamese troops so they could fight without US backup
What was the dilemma that Nixon was faced with?
Wanted to leave the war, but couldn’t look like the President who lost the war
When did US participation in the Vietnam end?
1975
When did peace talks happen?
1973 Paris Peace Talks
Who got the most from the peace talks and why?
North Vietnam because they had basically secured a full US withdrawal, while the US only got little in return
What did the US do during the peace talks?
More bombing of North Vietnam - 1972
