Vietnam war Flashcards
By who was Vietnam ruled by and how was it called before the Japanese invaded?
The french and it was called Indochina.
How did the communist movement start in Vietnam?
The Japanese conquered Vietnam in WW2, and they treated Vietnamese people very harshly. Therefore, a strong anti-Japanese movement started, the Viet Minh.
Who was the leader?
The Viet Minhand the communists were lead by Ho Chi Minh, who believed in communism.
When did Vietnam declare independence?
The communists entered the city of Hanoi after the WW2, and declared independence in 1949.
How did the French react to the independence and what did they do?
France was not happy and came back in 1945. Another 9 years of war followed, as the North was controlled by The Viet Minh, and the south was controlled by the French.
What did china do in 1949?
Communist China started supporting Ho Chi Minh, by giving military aid.
How did the USA respond?
It gave the French 500 million a year for the war effort, as they wanted to oppose the spread of communism.
When did the French pull out of Vietnam?
In 1954
What was decided at the Geneva peace conference?
The country was divided into North and South, until elections could be held to decide its future.
Why did the Americans not allow to give free elections in Vietnam?
They feared that Vietnam would become communist, and that other countries would then too. (domino effect)
What did JFK do?
He sent an elite group of soldiers, he doubled military founding, he authorised the use of Na Palm.
What did the americans do in 1955?
They helped Ngo Dinh Diem to set up the Republic of South Vietnam, as he was very anti-communist. They gave him $1.6 billion.
What was the problem with this republic?
The people hated Ngo Dinh Diem due to massacres, and he eventually became a dictator.
What happened to Ngo Dinh Diem?
He was assassinated.
What was the new problem then for the USA?
JFK didn’t know how to replace him.
What happened in between 1964 and 1965.
Lots of government changes in the south and the Vietcong started to attack in the countryside.
What was the operation Rolling Thunder in the 60’s?
It was a bombing strategy, the USA hoped to make the North surrender by mass bombing and without sending ground troops.
What did Johnston do in March 1965?
For the first time he sent ground troops ; to avoid humiliation.
How much did the Vietcong control of the countryside of South Vietnam in 1965?
3/4
What was the American strategy?
To damage the Ho Chi Min trail, as they believed the North wouldn’t be able to sustain itself without it. So, 3 million tons of explosives would fall on the Laos part of the trail.
What did Johnston decide to do between negotiating with North Vietnam and to sending more troops?
he sent 200,000 more men.
Why were the conditions difficult for the men in Vietnam?
The jungle made the territory very difficult to pass, leaches caused infected wounds, grenades, booby traps and land mines were frequent.
By the of 1967 how many Americans had already died?
20,000 men
What did the American population do?
They started to protest against the brutal war.
What was the Tet offensive?
84,000 men from the Vietcong attacked 36 provincial capitals, with 6 largest cities.
What did Johnston announce on the 31st of March?
He said that he would stop bombing in North Korea?
What did Nixon do?
He started training the South Vietnamese population, so that he could start withdrawing troops.
What on October 22 1969?
Ho Chi Minh passed away.
What did the USA do?
It bombed Hanoi, which forced North Vietnam into a deal.
Why did the South fall apart?
Due to the stop of help of the US.
What happened in the end?
Vietnam was reunited as one communist nation, after 30 years of war and 2 million deaths.
