Vietnam War

Question 1

What are the 6 reasons for the Vietnam war?

Answer 1

1. Viet Cong
2. USA’s agenda
3. 1963. Ngo Dinh Diem’s assassination
4. 1964 The Gulf of Tonkin incident
5. Soviet-Sino Split
6. 1961-1963 Insurgency

Question 2

Why did the Viet Cong play a role in starting the Vietnam war?

Answer 2

• resisted Diem’s rule and were supported by Ho Chi Minh (leader of North Vietnam).
• Viet Cong had the goal to unite Vietnam under communist rule.
• Viet Cong used the Ho Chi Minh trail to sent reinforcements and supplies to guerrilla fighters.
• This allowed guerrilla fighters to continue South Vietnam Insurgency
• VC continued to attack US bases, government officials and building in South Vietnam.
  ——
• 1964. Eventual Gulf of Tonkin incident
• Caused USA to retaliate with the Gulf of Tonkin Solution
  ——
  Hence,
• Viet Cong was the root cause of the Vietnam war as they initiated the conflict.
• Whereas USA was simply defending SV and themselves after being attack be the VC
• VC took an aggressive stance against USA and SV
• While USA and SV took a defensive stance.

Question 3

How did USA’s agenda play a role in starting Vietnam war?

Answer 3

• USA was afraid of a communist takeover in Vietnam just like in Korea.
• USA wanted to adopt a stronger approach in containing communism.
• USA sent US military officials to train South Vietnamese soldiers.
• USA gave military and economic help under the Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV).

Hence,
- USA’s agenda to contain communism made South Vietnam more militarily capable to start the Vietnam war.
- This contributed to the start of the Vietnam war
- Without the US, South Vietnam would not be able to support the war effort by itself.

Question 4

What was USA role in the Vietnam war?

Answer 4

Same answer as reasons for Vietnam war

• USA was afraid of a communist takeover in Vietnam just like in Korea.
• USA wanted to adopt a stronger approach in containing communism.
• USA sent US military officials to train South Vietnamese soldiers.
• USA gave military and economic help under the Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV).

Hence,
- USA’s agenda to contain communism caused them to make South Vietnam more militarily capable to start the Vietnam war.

• Without the US, South Vietnam would not be able to support the war effort by itself.

Question 5

What was North Vietnam’s roles in starting the Vietnam war?

Answer 5

• Wanted to unite Vietnam under communism.
• in NV, the Viet Cong were supported by their leader, Ho Chi Minh
• They used the HCN trail to transport reinforcements & supplies to guerrilla fighters.
• Continued to attack govt officials & bases in SV.
• Helped by Soviet & Chinese resources
• HCM was playing both sides in the Sino-Soviet split

Hence,
- NV played a role in starting Viet war
- Initiated the conflict
- They had the main agenda of reunification

Question 6

“The Vietnam war was seen as a civil war” DYA?

Answer 6

Focus on roles of countries

GF: Civil -> Roles of NV & SV
1. NV:
- Wanted to unit Viet under communism
Viet Cong, Led to Gulf of Tonkin

2. SV:
   - Wanted to unite Viet under demo
   Strategic Hamlet Programme,

OF: Proxy -> USA’s / USSR’s / China’s roles/agenda.
1. USA:
- Domino Theory. Scared by comm in SK
- Adopted stronger approach
Action: Military Assistance Command Vietnam -> Gave military & econ aid to SV

2. USSR agenda:
   - Prove their brand of comm is superior to China’s
   - Expand comm influence outside of Europe
   Action: Military & econ aid to NV’s VC
3. China

• Link to their intentions for joining the war, not to help Vietnam

Question 7

USSR’s role in starting Viet war?

Answer 7

Agenda:
- Wanted to prove that Soviet brand of communism is superior to China’s
- Wanted to use NV as a vessel to expand communism past Europe and into Asia

• Wanted to use Vietnam as a way to speak llleeeeeee
• ## Supplied econ and military aid to NV’s yVC

Question 8

Diem Assassination in Starting Viet war?

Answer 8

• Diem’s harsh rule
• Included torture, executions
• ## Resisted by Buddhist monks & members of Viet Minh

Question 9

China’s role in Viet War?

Answer 9

1. Vuetnam as Buffer State
   - 1949 China just became Communist
   - China worried of democratic takeover from USA
   - Vietnam close to China & USSR
   - China wanted Vietnam as a buffer state
   - China would be safer from US attacks
   - So China supported North Viet
   ——
2. Selfish considerations
   - Mao wanted to repeat success in Vietnam like in Korea
   - It would strengthen Mao’s leadership
   - Encourage NV to engage in war