War in Vietnam, 1954-75 Flashcards
What did President Nixon ensure?
that South Vietnam did not become a communist-led country
When was the Nixon Doctrine?
25th July 1969
What was the Nixon Doctrine?
President Nixon’s ideas about Vietnam, SE Asia and the US
How did the US fulfill its promises with allies in The Nixon Doctrine?
- Follow through on any existing support it had promised its allies
- Help them against nuclear attacks
How did the US become limited with their support during The Nixon Doctrine?
- Only provided financial help & training against threats from countries that did not have nuclear capacity
- Would not provide soldiers
What is Vietnamisation?
Putting the ideas behind the Nixon Doctrine into practice
What did Nixon want from his troops during Vietnamisation?
- To withdraw from Vietnam
- But not give the appearance that the US lost the war
What was the role of the South Vietnam army (ARVN) during Vietnamisation?
- Take over more of the actual fighting
- Thus reducing number of US military deaths
What was the focus of the US government during Vietnamisation?
To send money & advisors, not soldiers
What was the aim of the US government during Vietnamisation?
- To ensure SV remained independent & non-communist
- Therefore US would not lose face over Vietnamese outcomes
How did American opinions differ during Vietnamisation?
- Some supported war aims & wanted to continue with active involvement
- Others wanted US withdrawal asap
Why did Vietnamisation fail?
- US training & equipment was not enough to ensure ARVN was ready to take over fighting
- ARVN suffered from corruption & desertion
When were US troops withdrawn?
1968 onwards
Why was American desire to fight greatly reduced?
Soldiers knew they would soon be leaving
Why did US soldiers kill their own officers?
To stop them leading into situations where their lives were at risk
What skyrocketed among US troops?
Drug use
When did the US attack Cambodia?
1970
Why did Nixon send US troops to Cambodia?
- To stop North Vietnamese from helping Cambodia’s communist to power there
What was the effect of Nixon’s attack on Cambodia?
- Congress outraged & cancelled 1964 Gulf of Tonkin Resolution; reduced money for war & demanded faster troops reductions from Vietnam
When did the US attack Laos?
1971
Why did the US attack Laos?
- US gave air support for South Vietnamese invasion of Laos
- To stop spread of communism
What were the effects of the US attack on Laos?
Doubts about South Vietnamese ability to fight against communism without US support
When did the US bomb North Vietnam?
1972
Why did the US bomb North Vietnam?
To weaken it
How did the US bombing of North Vietnam prevent Communist influence?
Mines were dropped into Haiphong harbour to stop Chinese and Soviet supplies coming by sea
What was destroyed as a result of US bombings on North Vietnam?
North Vietnamese radio & communications
What was damaged as a result of US bombing on North Vietnam?
North Vietnamese war industry
What did US bombing on North Vietnam lead to?
Calls from USSR & China for North Vietnam to sign a peace deal
What were some of the tactics used by the Vietcong?
- planned ambushes
- simple, deadly traps
- avoided open battles
What were the tactics used by the Vietcong in order to integrate?
did not wear military uniform so integrated with rural peasants
What were the tactics used by the Vietcong in order to avoid being bombed?
stayed close to US deployments of soldiers
What were the tactics used by the Vietcong to make it difficult for the enemy to move around?
Sabotaged roads & bridges
What were the tactics used by the Vietcong in order to stop members being identified?
Blended in with local population
How did tunnel tactics help the Vietcong?
- Could organise suprise attacks
- Store supplies safely
- Hide securely
- Treat wounded
When was Operation Rolling Thunder?
1965
How did Johnson force North Vietnamese to negotiate a settlement?
Started a bombing campaign in North Vietnam called Operation Rolling Thunder
Why did Operation Rolling Thunder target the Ho Chi Minh Trail?
To stop supplies being taken south
How did Operation Rolling Thunder avoid war and involvement of Soviets?
Avoided:
- Capital city Hanoi
- Haiphong
- Border with China
What was the significance of Haiphong port?
It was where the USSR sent supplies into North Vietnam
How did the US tactic of ‘search & destroy’ bomb the Vietcong?
- Small groups of US soldiers tracked down VC camps
- Called in helicopters to spray chemicals & bomb
Why was the US tactic of ‘search & destroy’ ineffective?
- After US troops left a VC occupied area, the VC returned
- This sent out the message that US search & destroy methods were failing
When was the Tet Offensive?
1968
Who was the Tet Offensive led by?
North Vietnamese & VC
What was attacked during the Tet Offensive?
- Over 100 cities and US bases in South Vietnam
How did the North Vietnamese & VC draw in US & ARVN troops away from cities?
By attacking the demilitarised zone
What tricked the US into thinking the communists were losing during the Tet Offensive?
The North Vietnamese suggested a negotiated settlement
How did the North Vietnamese & VC attack Saigon during the Tet Offensive?
- Attacked high-profile places
- E.g. US embassy, airport & radio station
How did the US & ARVN retaliate against the Tet Offensive?
- Recaptured attacked cities & bases
- Communists suffered heavy loss
- VC nearly wiped out
How did Americans view the Tet Offensive?
Failure
