Vietnam War Flashcards

0
Q

Fighting the French

A

French had controlled Vietnam before war
Wanted it back after Ho Chi Minh takes over
Fights for 9 years funded by Americans
French lose and pull out in 1954

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1
Q

Fighting the Japanese

A

During WW2 Vietnam was captured by Japanese
Strong anti Japanese movement developed
Led by Ho Chi Minh - Viet Minh
Walk into Hanoi after war and declare independence

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2
Q

Escalation of American involvement

A

Containment
Domino Theory - India might fall to communism
American Politics - Voted in to be tough on communism
Military-Industrial Complex - getting rich off the war

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3
Q

1954

A

French Surrender

Split into North and South Vietnam

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4
Q

1959

A

North Vietnamese army creates Ho Chi Minh trail

Supply route into South Vietnam

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5
Q

1960

A

North Vietnam makes National Liberation Front of South Vietnam
Viet Cong

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6
Q

1961

A

16000 American advisers help to organise South Vietnamese army

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7
Q

1962-3

A

More advisers and equipment arrive

Viet Cong use guerrilla tactics on South Vietnamese army

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8
Q

1964

A

North Vietnam fires on American boats in Gulf of Tonkin

Congress passes Gulf of Tonkin resolution

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9
Q

1965

A

February - Operation Rolling Thunder starts
March - first combat troops - 3500 - arrive in Da Nang
June-September - Major Viet Cong offensive
November - Battle in La Dreng valley - Heavy loss for communists

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10
Q

1966

A

Americans build up heavy encampments
US control towns
Vietcong control countryside

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11
Q

1967

A

Communists unable to force out Americans

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12
Q

1968

A

January - Tet offensive - Large scale Vietcong attack on cities. American embassy in Saigon attacked. Hue levelled by fighting
Defeat for communists but big shock for Americans
November - Operation Rolling Thunder stops after 3 years

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13
Q

1969

A

American policy of Vietnamisation begins - Withdrawing troops and handing control over to South Vietnamese army
May - Battle for Hamburger Hill

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14
Q

1970-71

A

Fighting spreads to Cambodia

Secret talks between Kissinger and Le Duc

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15
Q

1972

A

Most American troops out of Vietnam
Major communist offensive captures more ground
Bombers bomb Hanoi and Haiphong

16
Q

1973

A

Ceasefire in Paris
End of draft in USA
Last US troops leave Vietnam

17
Q

1975

A

South Vietnam falls to communists

18
Q

Vietcong tactics

A

Guerrilla Warfare
Booby traps
Underground tunnel networks
Vietcong kinder to villagers - Hearts and minds won over

19
Q

US tactics

A

Bombing - Rolling Thunder - Could only slow down communists
Chemical weapons - Agent Orange - large scale weed killer to destroy forests
Napalm - Burned through jungles and skin - killed many civilians
Search and Destroy - Zippo raids

20
Q

US troop problems

A

Low Morale and Inexperience - mostly poorly trained immigrant background - one year term of service
Vietnam’s neighbours - Laos and Cambodia friendly to Vietcong
Hearts and minds - never own over the support of the villagers

42
Q

My Lai massacre

A

March 1968 - Charlie company on search and destroy mission
Quang Nai region of South Vietnam - Told there was an hq in My Lai
Killed 300-400 civilians - three weapons removed, no Vietcong
Ronald Ridenhour sends letter to government 1 year later - talks of something dark and bloody
Investigation ended in trials for Calley but not rest - let out in less than 1/6 of his sentence

43
Q

Vietnam and the Media

A

Early stages - Pro Vietnam - followed official statements
Walter Cronkite the voice of America
Later stages - Starts to show zippo raids, Tet offensive etc.
shocking to Americans

44
Q

Anti Vietnam protests

A

Civil Rights campaigners - war highlighted racial inequality in America Muhammad Ali supported campaigners - Stripped of title and passport
Students - Student protests against draft - huge protests in Washington
Kent State - national guard open fire on demonstrators - people horrified