vietnam

• What was a reason for US military involvement in Vietnam from 1954-63?


  Control of Vietnam's strategic location
• Why was Vietnam significant to the USSR and China?


  It had a big impact on regional politics
• What battle marked the end of French rule in Vietnam?

  The Battle of Dien Bien Phu
• What was the outcome of the Battle of Dien Bien Phu for the French?

  They were defeated and left Vietnam
• What did France request after their defeat in Vietnam?

  Help from the USA
• What was the purpose of the Geneva Conference in 1954?

  To resolve the situation in Vietnam
• What were the Geneva Accords?

  Documents summarizing agreements from the conference
• How was Vietnam divided according to the Geneva Accords?

  into North and South
• Who controlled the northern Democratic Republic of Vietnam?

  The pro-communist Vietminh under Ho Chi Minh
• What type of government was established in South Vietnam?

  An anti-communist government under Diem
• What was promised to happen after two years in Vietnam?

  Elections to reunite the country
• What were the reasons for greater US involvement in Vietnam under Eisenhower?

  • Cold War against communism
  • Fear of Diem winning elections
  • Support for Diem's government
  • Military training for South Vietnam
  • Desire to appear tough on communism
• What did Diem refuse to hold in 1956?

  The promised elections
• How did Diem's government become corrupt?

  By exploiting US support for personal gain
• How much US aid did Diem's government receive between 1954 and 1960?

  About $1.5 billion
• What was the reaction of South Vietnamese Buddhists to Diem's government?

  They faced persecution and protests
• How many suspected communists were arrested in 1957?

  80,000 suspected communists
• What was the Vietcong's purpose in South Vietnam?

  To bring down Diem's government
• When did the Vietcong receive military aid from the North?

  In May 1960
• What were the reasons for greater US involvement in Vietnam under Kennedy?

  • Increased military advisers from 780 to 16,000
  • Financial support increased by $40 million
  • Support for Strategic Hamlet Program
  • CIA involvement in counterinsurgency
  • Diem's unpopularity led to a coup
• What was the Strategic Hamlet Program?

  A program to relocate peasants into fortified villages
• What was the outcome of Diem's unpopularity?

  Encouragement of a coup against him
• Who replaced Kennedy after his assassination?

  Lyndon Johnson
• What was the Vietcong's strategy in South Vietnam?

  To expand influence through propaganda and presence
• By the end of 1964, how much of South Vietnam was under Vietcong control?

  About two-thirds
• What was the role of propaganda for the Vietcong?

  To gain support by promoting social justice
• How many soldiers did the Vietcong have by the end of 1964?

  Around 100,000 soldiers
• What was the significance of the Ho Chi Minh trail?

  It supplied Vietcong bases in the South
• How much aid did China send to North Vietnam between 1955 and 1963?

  Over $200 million
• What were the events leading to the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964?

  • USS Maddox attacked on 2 August 1964
  • Follow-up attacks claimed on 4 August
  • Johnson sought military action resolution
  • Congress passed the Tonkin Resolution
• What did the Tonkin Resolution allow Johnson to do?

  Take necessary measures against armed attacks
• What was the nature of the conflict in Vietnam?

  It involved guerrilla tactics and unconventional warfare
• What were the guerrilla tactics used by the Vietcong?

  • No uniforms, indistinguishable from peasants
  • Use of complex tunnel systems
  • Ingenious traps and ambushes
  • Hit and run surprise attacks
• What percentage of US deaths were caused by booby traps during the Vietnam War?

  11%
• How did the Vietcong frustrate US military efforts?

  By using guerrilla tactics and sabotage
• What was the impact of increasing US casualties on public opinion?

  It made the war unpopular
• Why did the Vietcong use guerrilla tactics?

  To exploit their mobility and blend in
• What was the daily cost of US involvement in Vietnam by February 1965?

  $52 million
• How many US troops were sent to Vietnam by February 1965?

  180,000
• How many US troops had been killed in action by February 1965?

  Almost 2,000