Vietnam War

• What event marked the defeat of the French in Vietnam in 1954?

  French are defeated by Communist guerillas
• What was the outcome of the French defeat in Vietnam in 1954?

  Vietnam was divided at the 17th parallel
• Who led North Vietnam after the division of the country?

  Ho Chi Minh
• Who was in charge of South Vietnam and what was his political alignment?

  Ngo Dinh Diem was pro-French and pro-American
• How was Ngo Dinh Diem supported by the United States?

  He was financially backed by the US
• What significant event occurred in South Vietnam in 1963?

  Ngo Dinh Diem was assassinated
• What was the impact of Ngo Dinh Diem's assassination on South Vietnam?

  It left the South looking weakened
• What resolution was passed in 1964 regarding US involvement in Vietnam?

  The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
• What did the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution commit US forces to do?

  It committed US forces to an escalation in Vietnam
• How many US troops were in Vietnam by 1965?

  82,000
• What was the total number of US troops in Vietnam by 1968?

  500,000
• How many US troops died in Vietnam?

  58,000
• How many Chinese troops were present in North Vietnam?

  170,000
• What type of military support did the USSR provide to North Vietnam?

  They supplied technology such as SA-2 anti-aircraft missiles
• What was the outcome of the Vietnam War for the US in 1975?

  South Vietnam was defeated and became communist
• What was the financial cost of the Vietnam War for the US?

  $173 billion
• What is significant about the Vietnam War in terms of US military history?

  It is the first war the US loses