Vietnam War Flashcards
What state controlled Indo-China in the 1930s?
France
When did Japan occupy French-Indo China?
1940
Why did Japan occupy French-Indo China
Germany conquered France
Who led the Vietnam resistance against Japan in 1940?
Ho Chi Minh
Atlantic Charter
US & British say once WW2 ends, they will give all of their colonial holdings independence
Why did France try to reassert control over Vietnam after WW2?
France never signed Atlantic Charter
How did the Vietnam-French conflict shift in 1954?
France was pushed back into mountains of Vietnam
Dien Bien Phu
French fortress built in the mountain valley. Required men and supplies to be airlifted into it.
How did Ho Chi Minh’s men attack Dien Bien Phu?
Disassembled artillery and carried it up the side of the mountains. Reassembled it at the top.
Who did France request aid from in 1954?
America
How much of France’s war effort was US paying in 1954
80%
When was the French forced to surrender against Vietnam?
September 2nd, 1954
What did French surrender in Vietnam mark for the US?
Growing involvement in Vietnam by US
Geneva Accords
Negotiated settlement that split Vietnam at the 17th parallel.
Who controlled North Vietnam following the Geneva Accords?
Ho Chi Minh & communists
Who controlled South Vietnam following Geneva Accords?
State of Vietnam led by Bao Dai
Who did Bao Dai appointed as PM in 1956?
Ngo Dinh Diem
When was the shift of power in South Vietnam?
1955
What shift of power occurred in Vietnam in 1955?
Diem and military leaders overthrew Dai.
What government did Diem’s military coup establish in South Vietnam?
Republic of Vietnam
Why was there mass dissatisfaction with Diem’s rule
Catholic and family worked closely with the French.
What did US fear in 1963 if they didn’t strengthen South Vietnam?
Domino effect of communism
What shift in power occurred by US in 1963 in Vietnam?
military coup organized by US government that assassinated Diem
MAC-V-SOG
covert US military operations in Vietnam that conducted surveillance and observation missions on North Vietnam and delivered intel back to South Vietnam.
Who established MAC-V-SOG?
Johnson
Purpose of MAC-V-SOG
To make suggestions to South Vietnam on how to fight more efficiently
When did the US Maddox first report being fired upon?
August 1st, 1964
When did the US Maddox and another destroyer ship report being fired upon and returning fire?
August 4th, 1964
Tonkin Gulf Resolution
Congress allowed Johnson to repel any armed attack against US troops to prevent an escalated conflict
When did Congress pass the Tonkin Gulf Resolution?
August 7th, 1964
Significance of Tonkin Gulf Resolution?
Blank check for Johnson to declare war on Vietnam without officially declaring war.
Hawks
American supporters of the war. Claimed US had moral obligation to fight in the war.
Doves
US opponents of Vietnam war. Saw struggle in Vietnam as a civil war that US shouldn’t be involved in.
What was 1968 known as?
the Crisis Year
Tet Offensive
North Vietnamese + Vietcong attacked every US military base, capital, and large city in South Vietnam on Tet.
In what way did North Vietnam win the Tet Offensive
psychologically. Tet Offensive shattered US illusion that upping troop strength would somehow break the enemy.
Why does Bobby Kennedy initially not run in 1968?
Johnson (incumbent) was running again.
Who ran for Democratic nominee in 1968
Johnson
Gene McCarthy
Bobby Kennedy
What primary did McCarthy secure in 1968?
New Hampshire Primary
When did Johnson drop out of the presidential race?
March 31st, 1968
Who ran on continuing Johnson’s policies and winning the war?
Hubert Humphrey, Johnson’s VP
When was MLK assassinated?
April 4th, 1968
What primary was essential to ensure someone won the democratic nomination?
California
Who won the California primary in 1968?
RFK
Who did Democrats nominate as Democratic nominee in 1968?
Hubert Humphrey
Republican nominee in 1968?
Richard Nixon
Nixon’s plan for Vietnam in 1968?
securing peace with honor
Vietnamizing the war
Nixon’s plan to gradually reduce US troops in Vietnam, and return fight to Vietnam
What event stoked more anger and resentment toward Nixon’s plan?
massacre at My Lai
How did Nixon get North Vietnam to negotiate?
Threatened to bomb North Vietnam every time they refused
Who was Nixon’s advisor in 1968?
Henry Kissinger
What did Kissinger promise China?
If China stops supporting North Vietnam, US will tell UN to officially recognize China Republic
What did Kissinger promise USSR?
SALT treaties
When did Kissinger arrange detentes with China and USSR?
1973
SALT treaties
US and USSR promise to not produce as many nuclear weapons
When did Nixon start drafting settlements for the Vietnam war to end?
October 1972
How did settlements with Vietnam benefit Nixon?
Secured his re-election
When were all of the US troops finally pulled out of Vietnam?
January, 1973
By what year was Vietnam completely overrun by communists?
1975
Watergate
Cover-up by Nixon of his employees breaking into Watergate Hotel for strategies and tactics to win next election
Who pardoned Nixon for his crimes
Gerald Ford
