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Flashcards in Vietnam. Deck (26)
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1
Q

What did the declaration of Vietnams independence lead to?

A

A war between France and supporters of Ho Chi Minh.
US president, Harry Truman, gave 3 million dollars to support the French.
Lead to the american fears of the spread of communism.

2
Q

The battle of Dien Bien Phu, 1954 and it’s consequences.

Background.

A

After the war, the French wanted to reassert their rule.
However Vietminh guerrillas based in the northern areas of Vietnam became organised.
Lead by Ho Chi Minh who was a communist in sympathy- helped by many other political parties who wanted to secure their independence.
By 1950s the French controlled most cities and the Vietnamese controlled most of the countryside.
USA supported the French with money.

3
Q

The battle Dien bein Phu.

What were the French and Americans fighting for?

A

French- to preserve their empire.

American- to fight against communism.

4
Q

The Dien bein Phu.

Guerilla tactics.

A

French found it difficult to advance in the countryside because of guerrilla tactics- the Vietminh did not have enough power to to attack the French defensive line.

5
Q

The Dien bien Phu

1954

A

France decided to have a showdown at Dien Bien Phu.
Controlled the routes between Vietnam and other places like Laos.
French built a defensive position.
The Vietminh guerrillas besieged a fortress.
French believed their advances firepower would lead to victory.
Vietminh attacked and attacked despite casualties.
Eventually Vietminh units broke through French defence.

6
Q

The Dien bien Phu.

Statistics.

A

French- 4,000 killed and wounded, 8,000 missing who were mainly in prison.
Vietminh- 8,000 killed and 12,000 wounded.

7
Q

The Dien bein Phu.

The end of the battle.

A

The battle ended French plans to hold onto their empire in the east.
But the Americans finical aid was not enough- as some French politics had predicted.

8
Q

What was decided the geneva conference?

A
  1. Vietnam would be divided into two temporarily along the 17th parallel.
  2. The north would be under the control of the communist regime of Ho Chi Minh.
  3. The south would be controlled by Ngo dinh Diem, an anti communist catholic politican.
  4. General election in 1956 for the whole of Vietnam to decide its future.
9
Q

US support: 1954-60

A

USA wanted to support south Vietnam against takeover from the north.

10
Q

Development in Vietnam before 1964- US involvement before 1954.

A

Vietnam was part of the French empire until it’s occupation by the Japanese during World War Two.
Japan defeated in 1945 and Vietnam was returned to the French.
Communist leader- Ho Chi Minh opposed French control and declared Vietnams independence in September 1945.

11
Q

Hearts and minds.

A

Aswell as trying to bomb North Vietnam.
Us wanted to help the ordinary Vietnamese people.
They built roads, schools and health clinics.
Most cities excepted the help.
But in rural areas Vietcong had control and influence so it wasn’t excepted.

12
Q

Search and destroy.

A

Flush the Vietcong out of the countryside.

Helicopters landed and tried to get to villages before the Vietcong before they armed.

13
Q

Why was search and destroy hard?

A

Difficult to distinguish Vietcong and Vietnamese villagers.

US soilders found conditions hard: Mosquitos, jungles and heat.

14
Q

Results of search and destroy.

A

High rate of civilian casualties.
Us and Vietcong became unpopular with peasants.
Excessive brutality used to get information from villagers about Vietcong.

15
Q

Operation rolling thunder.

When?

A

1965

16
Q

Operation rolling thunder.

A

North Vietnam helping Vietcong and gave reasons for us attacks.
Golf of Tonkin events used as an excuse by Lyndon Johnson (president) to take action against North Vietnam..

17
Q

What was claimed in the gulf of Tonkin?

A

North Vietnam patrol boat attacked a US destroyer ‘Maddox’.

18
Q

How did the US respond the allegation in the golf of Tonkin?

A

Bombing raid.

19
Q

What happenened in 1965?

A

Vietcong attacked american base at Pleiku.
Nine Americans bombed and nearly 100 wounded.
USA responded with major bombing in North Vietnam.

20
Q

What was operation rolling thunder?

A

Designed to destroy railways, roads and Vietcong bases in North Vietnam.
Destroy ho chi Minh trail.
Had little effect compared to guerilla tactics.
By 1965 there were 180,000 troops in south Vietnam, but Vietcong had not been defeated.

21
Q

Agent orange and Nepalm.

A

Agent orange, destroyed forests and crops. Could cause cancer and birth defects. Both us and Vietnamese effected.
Nepalm, contained petrol and chemicals- burned skin.
Didn’t work just caused:
The world to turn against us because of inhuman weapons.
South Vietnam turned to Vietcong.

22
Q

Fulbright hearings.

When?

A

1971

23
Q

Fulbright hearings.

What?

A

Foreign affairs Committee- leader was William Fulbright.
Committee investigated Vietnam war.
Gave advice on how to end us involvement.
People gave more and more evidence about us involvement and inhuman actions.
People realised my lai was not an isolated incident.

24
Q

TET offensive

When?

A

1968

25
Q

TET offensive.

A

Vietcong launched a surprise offensive in the new year.
Attacked 36 cities including Saigon, where the us embassy was held for a while.
Forced with retreat with heavy losses.
Immediate military victory for us but in the long term wasn’t- seeing own embassy under attack.
President johnson decided to not seek re election.

26
Q

US bombing of the North, Laos and Cambodia.

A

Nixon became president in 1969.

Wanted to find peaceful solution.