Lesson 23

• When did Kennedy become president?

  1961
• What theory did Kennedy agree with regarding war?

  The domino theory and limited war
• How many military experts were training the ARVN during Kennedy's presidency?

  Over 15,000 advisors
• What were the Army Special Forces known as?

  The Green Berets
• How many troops were provided to the ARVN, increasing its total to what number?

  20,000 troops, increasing to 170,000
• How much did the USA spend on military support for Diem in 1962?

  $770 million
• How many Vietcong guerrillas were there in the South by early 1963?

  22,200 Vietcong guerrillas
• What was Kennedy's strategy to combat the Vietcong?

  Use counterinsurgency tactics to isolate them
• What was the goal of the US and ARVN troops regarding the Vietcong?

  To hunt out the Vietcong, not just battle
• What was the policy Kennedy wanted to implement to win local support?

  Winning "hearts and minds" of locals
• Why was it difficult for the ARVN to win over villagers?

  Officers looked down on villagers, seen as corrupt
• What was the role of the US Green Berets in the villages?

  To train villagers to protect from the VC
• What challenge did the Green Berets face in gaining villagers' trust?

  VC visited at night, making training difficult
• What was the Strategic Hamlet Program?


  • Set up new villages surrounded by barbed wire
  • Guarded by ARVN with schools and town facilities
  • Aimed to stop VC recruitment and supply access
• How many hamlets were set up by September 1962?


  About 5,000 hamlets
• What was a consequence of the forced movement of peasants?

  Increased resentment and support for the VC
• Why did Diem's government fail to win villagers' support?

  Failed to provide enough food to villages
• What increased during Diem's persecution of Buddhists?

  Support for the Vietcong
• What did advisors tell Kennedy about the Vietcong in early 1963?

  They were being slowly softened
• What happened on 2 January 1963 at the Battle of Ap Bac?

  ARVN lost despite outnumbering VC 5 to 1
• What was the outcome of the Battle of Ap Bac?

  ARVN lost five helicopters and 60 troops
• How did the US military portray the Battle of Ap Bac?

  They tried to make it sound like a victory
• What happened on 5 May 1963 during a Buddhist procession?

  Government troops fired, killing nine
• What did the government ban in June 1963?

  Buddhists from flying flags for their holiday
• What act did Quang Duc perform on 11 June 1963?

  Set himself on fire in protest
• What was the impact of Quang Duc's self-immolation?

  It received worldwide publicity
• What did Kennedy realize about Diem's leadership?

  Diem was too unpopular to defeat the VC
• What did the US government support regarding Diem?

  A plot to overthrow him
• When was Diem arrested and shot?

  2 November 1963
• What was the state of the Vietcong's membership from 1957 to 1964?

  Increased from 2,000 to 170,000 members
• How long did General Minh last after Diem?

  Three months
• Who succeeded General Minh?

  General Khanh
• What were Kennedy's aims regarding US involvement after Diem?

  Encourage democracy and win public support
• When was Kennedy assassinated?

  22 November 1963
• Who became president after Kennedy's assassination?

  Vice President Johnson
• What was Johnson's priority regarding Vietnam?

  To stop the spread of communism
• What were the consequences of Diem's government actions?

  • Increased support for the Vietcong
  • Failed to win villagers' trust
  • Led to his eventual overthrow