What Were The Reasons War Broke Out

Question 1

Division of Vietnam

Answer 1

July 1954 Geneva conference at geneva switzerland agreed on splitting Vietnam at 17th parallel, French withdrawing permanently, France and Vietnam ceasefire, loas and Cambodia forming, dmz established and two years in each country till election.

Now two divided Vietnam both wanting to reunite the country under their banner.

Question 2

Bitter rivalry

Answer 2

North Vietnam leader was ho chi Minh a committed communist who despises capitalism. He was popular and helped resist the Japanese. He helped defeat French at bien dien phu. Had Chinese backing. Unite Vietnam under banner of communism.

Ngo dinh diem was South Vietnam. He was unpopular and rigged election and killed Buddhists. He executed and imprisoned opponents. Anti communist with us backing. Wanted to avoid Vietnam being united under banner of communism.

Eisenhower feared domino effect so supported Ngo and pumped 1 billion into his regime.

Question 3

Support of Mao

Answer 3

1955 Hoe chi Minh wants to invade South vietnam so goes and asks Nikita Krushchev in Moscow for support. He gets given 100 million.

He visits Mao in Bejiing ans gets 200 million. Chinese Military Advisory group set up toxsupport his efforts.

Ho is strong now so 1959 starts Vietnam war and begins contracting the ho chi Minh trail.
1960 he formalised the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam
This is nicknames the vietcong.
1961 vietcongs 20,000 members has complete control of rural South Vietnam.

Question 4

What’s the main reason the war started?

Answer 4

The support of Mao because it meant ho chi Minh had confidence and strength to attack the South.

The division of Vietnam led to two countries but caused rivalry not war and the bitter rivalry increased tension but war wasn’t inevitable.