Vietnam war

Question 1

What were the key points of the Geneva Accords of 1954?

Answer 1

Vietnam was divided at the 17th parallel; elections planned for 1956 to reunify Vietnam.

Question 2

What was the outcome of the Geneva Accords?

Answer 2

The First Indochina War ended, and French colonial rule in Vietnam was terminated.

Question 3

Why was there Vietnamese discontent over the Geneva Accords?

Answer 3

Viet Minh was pressured to accept the partition despite having control over more than half of Vietnam

Question 4

How did Chinese Premier Zhou influence Ho Chi Minh regarding the Geneva Accords?

Answer 4

Zhou convinced Ho Chi Minh that the partition would be a temporary solution, leading to Ho’s reluctant acceptance.

Question 5

What was the result of the Geneva Accords on Vietnam’s political situation?

Answer 5

The conflict continued as tensions between North Vietnam (NV) and South Vietnam (SV) worsened.

Question 6

Who was Ngo Dinh Diem and what was his role in South Vietnam?

Answer 6

Diem was the leader of South Vietnam who feared a communist takeover and sought support from the USA.

Question 7

Why did national elections, planned for 1956, not occur in Vietnam?

Answer 7

The elections were not held as both North and South Vietnam sought to reunify on their own terms.

Question 8

How did Ho Chi Minh consolidate communist control in North Vietnam?

Answer 8

By initiating land reforms and distributing land from landowners to peasants.

Question 9

What were the weaknesses of Ngo Dinh Diem’s government in South Vietnam?

Answer 9

Corruption, nepotism, poor standards of living, and curtailment of freedom of expression.

Question 10

What was the National Liberation Front (NLF) and when was it established?

Answer 10

A broad-based communist organization established in 1960 with the People’s Liberation Armed Forces (PLAF) as its military arm.

Question 11

What was the primary military tactic used by the Viet Cong?

Answer 11

Guerrilla warfare, avoiding large-scale battles and using the Ho Chi Minh Trail for supplies and reinforcements.

Question 12

How did the Viet Cong sustain their struggle against South Vietnamese forces?

Answer 12

By transporting reinforcements and supplies using the Ho Chi Minh Trail, including 40,000 North Vietnamese Army troops between 1961-1963.

Question 13

What was the purpose of the Strategic Hamlet program initiated by South Vietnam in 1962?

Answer 13

To relocate peasants to fortified villages to reduce Viet Cong influence and protect them from being caught in crossfire.

Question 14

How did the Viet Cong attempt to win support from South Vietnamese peasants?

Answer 14

By promising land and addressing grievances against the Diem regime.

Question 15

How did South Vietnam’s government respond to Viet Cong insurgency?

Answer 15

By implementing the Strategic Hamlet program and relying on US military support.

Question 16

What was the role of China and USSR in supporting North Vietnam?

Answer 16

They recognized North Vietnam as the legitimate government and provided assistance in the struggle against South Vietnam.

Question 17

Why did the Sino-Soviet Split affect North Vietnam’s external support?

Answer 17

It forced North Vietnam to balance aid between China and the USSR due to deteriorating relations between the two communist powers.

Question 18

What were the reasons for Chinese support to North Vietnam?

Answer 18

Mao wanted international recognition as a revolutionary leader and was concerned about US influence on China’s border.

Question 19

Why did the Soviet Union support North Vietnam, especially in the mid-1960s?

Answer 19

To assert leadership in the communist world and contest with China, providing increasing arms and supplies.

Question 20

What was the impact of US military aid on South Vietnam’s government?

Answer 20

Despite aid, the government remained weak due to internal issues such as corruption and ineffective military strategies.

Question 21

What was the Gulf of Tonkin Incident and when did it occur?

Answer 21

An attack on USS Maddox by North Vietnamese patrol boats on August 2, 1964, used to justify increased US military involvement.

Question 22

How did the number of US troops in Vietnam change after the Gulf of Tonkin Incident?

Answer 22

It increased dramatically from less than 100,000 to 500,000 by the end of Johnson’s presidency.

Question 23

What were the strengths of US military performance in Vietnam?

Answer 23

Superior numbers, manpower, and firepower, including strategic bombing operations like Operation Rolling Thunder.

Question 24

What were the weaknesses of US performance in Vietnam?

Answer 24

Low morale, civilian casualties from “Search and Destroy” missions, and negative media portrayal of US actions.

Question 25

How did Viet Cong’s guerrilla tactics contribute to their success?

Answer 25

Avoided large-scale battles, used the jungle for cover, and gained support from the civilian population.

Question 26

What was the Tet Offensive and when did it occur?

Answer 26

A massive surprise attack by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces during the Vietnamese New Year (Tet) in 1968.

Question 27

What was the impact of the Tet Offensive on American public opinion?

Answer 27

It turned American public opinion against the war, challenging government claims of imminent victory.

Question 28

How did media coverage affect US perceptions of the Vietnam War by 1968?

Answer 28

The media’s portrayal of the war as brutal and unjust contributed to growing anti-war sentiment.

Question 29

What role did Walter Cronkite play in shaping US opinion on the Vietnam War?

Answer 29

As a trusted journalist, his criticism of the war influenced public opinion against continued US involvement.

Question 30

What were the anti-war sentiments in the US by 1968?

Answer 30

Growing dissatisfaction with the war’s moral justification, fueled by graphic media coverage and atrocities like the My Lai Massacre.

Question 31

What was the My Lai Massacre and when was it revealed?

Answer 31

The murder of 350-500 unarmed South Vietnamese civilians by US soldiers, revealed in 1969

Question 32

What were the consequences of the My Lai Massacre on US public opinion?

Answer 32

It shocked the public and further fueled anti-war sentiment, questioning the moral integrity of the US military actions.

Question 33

What was Nixon's approach to the Vietnam War upon taking office?

Answer 33

He began a process of de-escalation and Vietnamization, gradually withdrawing US troops and handing over the war to the Vietnamese.

Question 34

How many US troops were withdrawn from Vietnam between April 1969 and end-1971?

Answer 34

Approximately 400,000 troops were withdrawn.

Question 35

What was the Paris Peace Accords and when were they signed?

Answer 35

An agreement signed in 1973 to end the Vietnam War and restore peace, leading to the final withdrawal of US troops

Question 36

What were the impacts of the Vietnam War on US foreign policy?

Answer 36

Revealed moral and ideological weaknesses, failed to contain communism, and weakened the US presidency.

Question 37

How did the Vietnam War affect US ideological credibility?

Answer 37

The war demonstrated the moral shortcomings of the US's anti-communist stance, undermining its ideological superiority.

Question 38

What was the effect of the Vietnam War on the spread of communism in Southeast Asia?

Answer 38

The fall of South Vietnam led to the spread of communism to Laos and Cambodia by 1975.

Question 39

How did the Vietnam War impact the US presidency?

Answer 39

It led to increased congressional oversight and limitations on presidential war powers, such as the War Powers Act of 1973.

Question 40

What was the War Powers Act of 1973?

Answer 40

A law that limited the President’s ability to deploy US military forces without congressional approval.

Question 41

What was the role of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in the Vietnam War?

Answer 41

Used by the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese to transport supplies and reinforcements to South Vietnam.

Question 42

What was Operation Rolling Thunder?

Answer 42

A US bombing campaign aimed at disrupting North Vietnamese supply lines and military targets, starting in 1965.

Question 43

What were the impacts of defoliants and napalm used by the US?

Answer 43

Caused long-term health issues for civilians and environmental damage.

Question 44

How did the Viet Cong manage to gain support from South Vietnamese civilians?

Answer 44

By addressing grievances, promising land, and respecting the local population.

Question 45

What was the role of the Viet Cong’s guerrilla tactics in their struggle?

Answer 45

Allowed them to operate effectively despite their inferior military equipment and evade

Question 46

How did the Tet Offensive impact the Vietnamese cities?

Answer 46

Led to extensive damage and destruction, including the ancient city of Hue.

Question 47

What was the impact of the Tet Offensive on US military strategy?

Answer 47

Highlighted the limits of US military success and contributed to growing skepticism about the war’s progress.

Question 48

How did the Tet Offensive influence media coverage of the Vietnam War?

Answer 48

Increased media criticism of the war and exposed the gap between official statements and on-the-ground realities.

Question 49

What was the significance of the Saigon Execution and Napalm Girl images?

Answer 49

They shocked the American public and intensified anti-war sentiment by revealing the brutal realities of the war.

Question 50

What was the political impact of Nixon's Vietnamization policy?

Answer 50

Aimed to reduce US involvement by training and equipping South Vietnamese forces, leading to gradual US troop withdrawals.

Question 51

What were the results of the Paris Peace Accords?

Answer 51

Ended direct US military involvement and aimed to restore peace in Vietnam, leading to the final withdrawal of US troops.

Question 52

How did the Vietnam War affect US foreign policy towards Southeast Asia?

Answer 52

Demonstrated the limitations of US influence and its inability to prevent the spread of communism in the region.

Question 53

What were the long-term effects of the Vietnam War on US global reputation?

Answer 53

damaged its moral and ideological credibility, and exposed weaknesses in its global leadership.

Question 54

What was the significance of the My Lai Massacre in the context of the Vietnam War?

Answer 54

It highlighted the severe consequences of US military actions on civilian populations and fueled anti-war protests.

Question 55

How did the US Congress respond to the Vietnam War by the early 1970s?

Answer 55

Increased oversight of presidential actions and enacted legislation to limit presidential war powers.

Question 56

What was the impact of Nixon's impeachment on US involvement in Vietnam

Answer 56

Nixon's impeachment weakened US support for South Vietnam, contributing to the eventual collapse of the South Vietnamese government.

Question 57

How did the Vietnam War impact US domestic politics?

Answer 57

Led to greater scrutiny of presidential decisions and increased anti-war sentiment among the American public.

Question 58

What was the strategic goal of US military actions in Vietnam?

Answer 58

To contain the spread of communism and support the government of South Vietnam.

Question 59

How did the US strategy in Vietnam evolve over time?

Answer 59

Initially focused on direct military engagement, later shifting to Vietnamization and gradual withdrawal.

Question 60

What were the key factors leading to the end of the Vietnam War?

Answer 60

The Tet Offensive, media influence, anti-war sentiments, and the Paris Peace Accords.