Conflict and tension in Asia

• What was the Tet Offensive?

  The PAVN and Vietcong launched a set of coordinated surprise attacks against US bases in South Vietnam.
• When was the Tet Offensive?

  January 30 1968
• Consequences of Tet Offensive

  100 SV cities were hit.

  2800 civilians killed, 3000 civilians

  550 losses for the US and SV
• Why was the Tet Offensive a partial victory for both sides?

  It was a win for the US because NV and the VC had less troops to fight with and therefore in a way were defeated.

  It was a win for the communists tho because the US were struggling politically and mentally, as this was the first time that the war was being televised and it was also a surprise attack.
• What was the My Lai massacre?

  Mass killing of Vietnamese civilians by US soldiers during the Vietnam War in 1968.
• What happened during the My Lai Massacre?

  US troops shot peasants in paddy fields and buildings. Hand grenades were thrown. Some of the US soldiers tortured and raped innocent Vietnamese women.
• How was the truth revealed about the My Lai massacre?

  A year after the event, Ronald Ridenhour (a young soldier) wrote letters to 30 leading politicians about My Lai.

  The magazine LIFE published photos of the massacre and the whole nation was terrified.
• Who was prosecuted for the Massacre?

  14 army officers were charged however later these charges were dropped.

  Only General William Calley was found guilty.

  He was sentenced to life in March 1971 however was released in November 1974.
• What was the impact of My Lai?

  US public was deeply shocked and thought that the original aim of containment in war was lost.

  Late 1969, 500,000 people protested against the war in Washington.
• What were the three ways that Nixon was going to achieve 'Peace with Honour' ?

  Military campaign in Vietnam,

  Diplomacy,

  Home front in USA.
• What was Nixon's military campaign?

  1969 - He launched a large bombing offensive against the Ho Chi Minh trail in Cambodia. He failed to break the morale of the NV.

  1970 - withdrew 150,000 troops, they could not find the Cambodia headquarters, the communists were strengthened by bombing campaign.

  1971 - US morale plummeted, attack on trail in South Laos, ARVN was divided and the troops were fighting to leave Laos.
• What was Nixon's 'Diplomacy'?

  1969 - Nixon said USA troops + PAVN troops would withdraw simultaneously. USA relationships with China and USSR = better.

  1970 - Peace talks continued - no deals struck. Nixon hoped his 'Madman Theory' + bombing Asia would work, little achieved.

  1971 - LINKAGE began to work. USSR and China pressuring Hanoi to give concessions to USA. Nixon made an offer - NV refused.
• What was Nixon's offer?

  USA set date for simultaneous withdrawal.

  Thieu stay in power and US prisoners of war would be returned.

  Hanoi leave Cambodia + Laos + leave SV.
• What was Nixon's 'Home front'?

  1969 - withdraw 1000 US troops from Vietnam. Older men would not serve. Nixon made speeches - 'silent majority'. Only way America loses is if public fail to support. Protests widespread.

  1970 - Public find out about Cambodia bombing. Kent state shootings May 1970. Rocks thrown at guardsmen, openfire killed 4 students.

  1971 - Politicians in congress outraged by Nixon's refusal to consult them about Vietnam war. Nixon + team increasingly hostile towards those who oppose him.
• Geneva agreement:

  1954 - Vietnam to be divided into North and South on the 17th parallel.

  There would be a general election for the whole of Vietnam in July 1956.

  Laos and Cambodia would be independent.

  NV ruled by Ho Chi Minh, SV ruled by Diem.
• What were the economic costs of the Vietnam War?

  US government spent over $170 billion on the war. (Which is close to $1 trillion today).

  Vietnam - country was made poorer, people faced starvation.

  'Great Society' did not happen.
• What were the Political costs of the war?

  Many Americans now had deep suspicion + distrust of the government. 'Domino Theory' proved to be wrong as communism did not spread to India or Thailand. Media coverage of My Lai, secret bombings and Watergate scandal damaged credibility of the government.
• What were the Human costs of the war?

  America - 58,000 were killed + over 300,000 injured.

  Vietnam - difficult to know figures as government did not keep accurate data, estimated 2 million civilians killed + 5 million injured.

  11 million people became refugees .
• What were the environmental costs of the war?

  1969 - over 1 million hectares of of forests destroyed using Agent Orange.

  1962 - 1969 -> nearly 300,000 hectares of farmland was sprayed with a chemical that made it useless for farming.

  Many children + soldiers developed unknown illnesses because of being in contact with the chemicals. People are still growing up with diseases + disabilities caused by harmful chemicals.
• What were the Soldier costs of the Vietnam war?

  Around 30% of US soldiers used heroin during the war. Many of those who survived without any physical injuries were affected psychologically. This was because of the horror they had witnessed.
• Gulf of Tonkin:

  August 1964 - North Vietnamese naval vessels attacked the U.S destroyer USS Maddox.

  US responded by involving themselves in the war (military).

  Johnson wanted a reason to start the war and this was a reason.