Vietnam War

Question 1

What caused the First Indochina War (1946–54)?

Answer 1

Vietminh, led by Ho Chi Minh, sought independence from French colonial rule. Ended in French defeat at Dien Bien Phu (May 1954).

Question 2

What did the Geneva Accords (1954) decide?

Answer 2

Vietnam divided at the 17th parallel. North: Ho Chi Minh (communist), South: Ngo Dinh Diem (anti-communist). Elections planned for 1956 — never held.

Question 3

What was the Gulf of Tonkin Incident (1964)?

Answer 3

Alleged attack on US ships by North Vietnamese. Led to Gulf of Tonkin Resolution — US military intervention escalated.

Question 4

What was Operation Rolling Thunder (1965–68)?

Answer 4

Aerial bombing campaign on North Vietnam and supply routes like the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

Question 5

What was the Tet Offensive (Jan 1968)?

Answer 5

Viet Cong surprise attack on 100+ cities. US won militarily, but public opinion turned due to the scale and impact.

Question 6

What happened at the My Lai Massacre (March 1968)?

Answer 6

US troops killed over 500 unarmed civilians. Exposed in 1969 — sparked outrage and anti-war sentiment.

Question 7

What was Vietnamisation (1969–73)?

Answer 7

Nixon’s strategy: US withdrawal while arming and training South Vietnamese troops. US troops left by 1973.

Question 8

What were the Paris Peace Accords (1973)?

Answer 8

Ceasefire, US withdrawal, POW exchange. North Vietnamese invaded and captured Saigon in April 1975.

Question 9

How did the war affect Vietnamese civilians?

Answer 9

Millions killed or displaced. Agent Orange and Napalm caused lasting health/environmental damage.

Question 10

How did American public opinion shift?

Answer 10

Turned against the war post-Tet, My Lai, and media coverage. Major protests, especially after the Kent State shootings (1970).