Vietnam War Flashcards
What happened to Vietnam during ww2?
It was conquered by the Japanese who treated the Vietnamese brutally
What did the Japanese brutality encourage?
An anti Japanese movement to emerge under the communist leader Ho Chi Minh - inspired people to fight for independence
What happened after ww2?
The French wanted Vietnam back and returned in 1945
Who finds Ho Chi Minh?
China
Why does America become financially involved in 1949?
China becomes communist
Fund $500 million to the French
What happens in 1954?
French pull out and Geneva Conference held
Vietnam split into North and South
USA become politically involved by preventing free elections
Why do the USA become politically involved in Vietnam?
They fear the communists will win in the elections
How do the USA prevent elections?
Help Ngo Dinh Diem set up Republic of South Vietnam in 1955
He was corrupt but anti communist
What does Americas involvement provoke?
The communist led national front for the liberation of South Vietnam set up (Vietcong) in 1960
What did the viet cong do?
Peasants who didn’t support them faced intimidation and violence
Started a guerrilla war against South Vietnam
Whe do the USA become militarily involved?
In 1962 when Kennedy sends “military advisors to fight the Vietcong
When is Kennedy assassinated and who replaces him?
1963
Johnson - more prepared to commit to full scale conflict to prevent the spread of communism
What is the domino theory?
That if Vietnam falls to communism then so will the surround countries and eventually the rest of Asia
How many military advisors are In Vietnam in 1963?
1600
What happens in 1964?
North Vietnam patrol boats open fire on Us ships in the Gulf of Tonkin
- LBJ given all power to take “necessary action”
What happens on 8 th March 1965?
3500 U.S. Marines land at Da Nung
WAR
Why was guerrilla warfare a nightmare for the U.S.?
Didn't wear a uniform and hard to tell apart form ordinary peasants No known base camp or headquarters Killed any peasants that opposed them Knew the land - wore them down Guerrilla warfare - Americans unprepared Disappeared into jungle
When did the USA launch operation rolling thunder?
7th February 1965