Vietnam War

Question 1

What was the Vietnamization policy, and how did it change US involvement

Answer 1

It involved the gradual withdrawal of US troops and increased reliance on South Vietnamese forces.

Question 2

What were the consequences of the expansion of the Vietnam War into Cambodia?

Answer 2

It led to increased anti-war protests and criticism of Nixon’s administration.

It destabilised the Cambodian government and led to the rise of the Kmer Rouge which comitted many genocides in their country.

Question 3

What were the main tactics used by the Vietcong during the Vietnam War?

Answer 3

Guerilla warfare tactics, including ambushes and hit-and-run attacks.

Question 4

How did US military strategies evolve during the Vietnam War?

Answer 4

Strategies shifted from conventional warfare to counterinsurgency, including search and destroy missions.

Question 5

What role did anti-war protests play in the US during the Vietnam War?

Answer 5

They contributed to a growing public sentiment against the war, influencing policy changes.

Question 6

How did the Vietnam War impact American society and media?

Answer 6

It led to societal divisions and increased scrutiny of government actions, with media playing a crucial role in shaping public opinion.

Question 7

What was the Gulf of Tonkin Incident?

Answer 7

The Gulf of Tonkin Incident refers to alleged attacks on two U.S. Navy destroyers, the USS Maddox and USS Turner Joy, by North Vietnamese naval vessels in the Gulf of Tonkin in August 1964.

Question 8

When did the Gulf of Tonkin Incident occur?

Answer 8

The incident took place on August 2 and 4, 1964.

Question 9

What led to the escalation of the Gulf of Tonkin Incident?

Answer 9

The USS Maddox reported being attacked on August 2, and another alleged attack on both ships was reported on August 4. These reports triggered a response from the U.S., leading to increased military involvement in Vietnam.

Question 10

How did the U.S. respond to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident?

Answer 10

In response to the reported attacks, President Johnson ordered airstrikes against North Vietnamese targets and sought Congressional approval for military action.

Question 11

Why did President Johnson decide to expand the war after the Gulf of Tonkin Incident?

Answer 11

Johnson sought the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution from Congress, granting him broad military powers to respond to the perceived threat in Vietnam. He used this resolution as a justification for the escalation of U.S. involvement.

Question 12

When was the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution passed by Congress?

Answer 12

The resolution was passed on August 7, 1964.

Question 13

What powers did the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution grant to President Johnson?

Answer 13

The resolution gave Johnson the authority to use military force in Vietnam without a formal declaration of war from Congress, allowing for a significant escalation of U.S. involvement.

Question 14

How did the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution contribute to the escalation of troops?

Answer 14

The resolution served as the legal basis for the significant increase in U.S. military personnel in Vietnam, with troop levels rising from around 16,000 in 1963 to over 500,000 by 1969.

Question 15

What impact did the escalation of the war have on U.S. casualties?

Answer 15

U.S. casualties increased substantially with the escalation. By 1969, over 40,000 American soldiers had been killed, and many more were wounded.

Question 16

How did the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution affect public opinion?

Answer 16

Initially, it had broad support, but as the war continued and escalated, public opinion turned against it, leading to widespread protests and anti-war movements across the United States.

Question 17

What was the economic cost of the expanded war under Johnson?

Answer 17

The economic cost of the war was substantial, reaching billions of dollars annually. The funding of the war contributed to inflation and strained the U.S. economy.

Question 18

When did President Johnson announce that he would not seek re-election, and how did the Vietnam War factor into this decision?

Answer 18

In March 1968, Johnson announced he would not seek re-election. The Vietnam War, with its increasing unpopularity, was a significant factor in this decision.

Question 19

What was the Vietnamization policy, and how did it change US involvement?

Answer 19

It involved the gradual withdrawal of US troops and increased reliance on South Vietnamese forces.