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KQ5 Study 3: The Vietnam war 1954-75 (Why and how did the US become…
KQ5 Study 3: The Vietnam war 1954-75
What were the origins of the Vietnam war?
Vietnam had been ruled by France since the 19th century
it was taken over by the Japanese in WW2
After WW2 the Viet Minh, led by Ho-Chi Minh, who controlled the north, declared independence and wanted to take control of the whole nation, starting a war with France
After 1949 communist China gave assistance to the North
US saw Viet Minh as puppets of China and feared Chinese domination of Asia by China
the US invested $500 million into supporting the French
the French set up a anti-comm gov in the S
the was lasted till 54, the French couldn't cope with the guerrilla tactics
What happened to Dien Bien Phu in 54, and what was its significance?
a large force of French para-troopers was defeated
3000 died in battle, a further 8000 in captivity
a small Asian state had defeated a rich western power
forced the French to pull out of Vietnam
it triggered the decision to divide the country (Geneva 54)
organised elections to decide the country's future
Why and how did the US become increasingly involved?
Domino Theory
Eisenhower and sec of state believed that if Vietnam fell the rest of Asia would follow
in 1955 the US helped Ngo Dinh Diem set up the republic of South Vietnam and supplied his corrupt regime with $1.6 billion. After his overthrow the US continued to support corrupt regimes
This led to an increase in support for the Viet Cong ( north supporters)
The Viet Cong attacked used guerrilla tactics against the South
by 1962
Kennedy was sending military advisers to Vietnam
Tension began to increase
as tension rose Kennedy sent more advisers so that by 64 there were 23,000
after JFK's assassination Johnson was more prepared to fully commit the US to war in Vietnam
In August 64 N boats fired on US ships in the gulf of Tonkin, triggering the US to become fully involved in the conflict
What were the Tactics of the Viet Cong
The US and S had more men and better equipment
the VC used guerrilla tactics (inspired by China)
Guerrilla tactics
Retreat
raid
attack when enemy tires
pursue retreating enemy
wear down morale
Problems faced by US
difficult to distinguish VC from local
difficult to catch them in jungle
constant fear of ambush/ traps
VC
ruthless
campaign of terror against S gov
27,000 civ killed
determined/ persistent
wouldn't give in
despite losing nearly 1 mill men
US tactics
Bombing
Op rolling thunder- continued till 72
dropped more bombs on Vietnam than in WW2
Chemical weapons
Agent Orange
a toxic weedkiller to destroy the jungle
Napalm
Search and destroy
heavily defended bases in S
S+D helis flew in to locations (rapid attack)
destroyed innocent villages/ civ deaths causing S public to turn support to VC
Tet offensive
communist attempt to take over 100 targets (including Saigon) which ultimately failed
VC lost 10,000 fighters and were severely weakened
VC hoped that the public would support them
it lead to the US questioning why they had been taken by surprise and was the loss of life worth it to re-take towns?
American public view of Vietnam
public opinion turning pre-1968
anti-war feeling increased post Tet ofensive
Many US civ disturbed by journalist reports
anti-war protests
1000 of young men dodged the draft
hundred of demonstration at US universities
My Lai Massacre
massacre of 300-400 innocent S citizens by US troops
details leaked and congress asked to investigate
Lft W Calley was used by army as scapegoat
blamed for exceeding orders and sentenced to 20 years hard labour
Life magazine published photos of the massacre
700,000 anti-war protesters marched at washington
Nixon and Vietnam
elected in 68
triggered peace talks through H Kissinger and Le Duc To
Vietnamisation
US responsibilities replaced by S troops
Bombing
Nixon increased bombing campaigns to show strength vs Communism
Cambodia
Nixon ordered US invasion of VC bases in Cambodia
Pressure on USSR