Why the USA got increasingly involved in Vietnam. Flashcards
What was the US involvement in Vietnam between 1945-1949?
No direct involvement
What was the US involvement in Vietnam between 1949-1954?
Financially supporting the French
How much money did the USA give the French to help the war effort?
$500 million
When was the war between the French and the Viet Minh?
1946-1954
What type of tactics did the Viet Minh use against the French?
Guerilla
How many French soldiers were constantly attacked by hit and run raids?
190,000
How did the French retaliate against the Viet Minh’s guerrilla tactics?
By attempting to control the countryside by raiding peasant villages
How many casualties did the raids cause the French?
90,000
When was the battle of Dien Bien Phu?
1954
Who was defeated by the Viet Minh in Diem Bien Phu?
a large, well-armed force of French paratroopers
How many French deaths were there in Diem Bien Phu?
3000 and a further 8000 in captivity
In 1954, what did the peace conference in Geneva decide?
Vietnam would be split into North and South until elections were held to help decide Vietnams future government
Who provided the Viet Minh with modern weapons?
USSR and China
From 1955-1962 what type of involvement did the USA have in Vietnam?
Political involvement- supporting Diem
Why did the USA prevent the elections in Vietnam from happening?
fear of a communism win
What did the USA set up in 1955?
the anti-communist Republic of South Vietnam
What was set up in 1960?
the National Front for the liberation of South Vietnam (Viet Cong)
What type of involvement did the USA have in Vietnam from 1962-1965?
Non-combative military advisors
When did Kennedy send military advisers into Vietnam?
1962
What program did Kennedy introduce in 1962?
Strategic Hamlet Relocation Program
What did the Strategic Hamlet Relocation program do?
moved peasants from Viet Cong controlled areas to areas controlled by the South Vietnamese government
How many military advisers were there in Vietnam by 1962?
11,500
How many military advisors were there by 1964?
23,000
When was Kennedy assassinated and who took over from him?
1963, LBJ
When was the Gulf of Tonkin?
August 2nd 1964
What did the Tonkin Gulf Resolution allow Johnson to do?
“take all necessary measures to prevent aggression and achieve peace and security”
What happened on the 8th March 1965?
3500 US marines landed at De Nang- the beginning of the war
What was the US involvement in Vietnam from 1965-1973?
Military
By 1965 how many US soldiers were there in Vietnam?
125000
