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Vietnam War: Essay Content - Coggle Diagram
Vietnam War: Essay Content
Background
French Occupation
Vietnam was a French Colony. Ho Chi Minh declared Independence after WWII.
French rejected independence and attempted to reoccupy (HCM seen as communist who did not represent all Vietnamese interests)
French decisively defeated at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu.
Geneva accords split V into NV & SV until elections could reunite V
Ngo Dinh Diem
Diem = Catholic & Capitalist, therefore supported US interest in SV.
US backed Diem who abused power and persecuted Buddhists (majority SV). This support turned SV against US.
Dien assassinated in 1963 by military
JFK & limited involvment
John F Kennedey (JFK) advocated for limited (strategic) involvement in Vietnam. Sends advisors & limited US support
Disagreement in US; some wanted more aggressive involvment
Assassinated in Dallas, Texas 1963
Domino Theory
US involved, involved in Cold War, hesitant to allow elections as HCM would win and Communism could spread
Spreading of Communism against US policy of containment and wanted to avoid
domino effect
in South East Asia
US intervened and instilled a leader in SV
Turning Points
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
Two US ships allegedly attacked by NV in the 'Gulf of Tonkin', in 1964.
Incident was a turning point US congress pass Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and gave president Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) a 'blank cheque' to contain communism in NV
Led to US military involvement in Vietnam, using conventional tactics
Tet Offensive
Occurs on Vietnamese New Year, Tet in 1968
NV launched surprise attack in SV; US not prepared but eventually expel NV from SV.
War was a stalemate by 1968, Te = turning point as US realised winning is impossible. US withdraw Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Calls from US public to withdraw from US intensify
Vietnamisation
LBJ does not rerun; Nixon takes office and promises '
Peace with Honour
and pledges to
Vietnamise
the war by withdrawing US troops and supporting SV vs NV
Last US troops withdraw in 1973; limited supported offered by US to SV
NV launches Spring Offensive in 1975; takes Saigon and renuites NV & SV under communism
American Conventional Tactics
Technologically Driven
Operation Rolling Thunder
Extensive bombing campaign aimed at North Vietnam
Goal was to uncover HCMT. Failed
Operation Ranch Hand
Chemical Bombing campaign aimed at destroying environment
Agent Orange: Chamical defoliant
Agent Blue: Chemical Herbicide
Napalm: Gel substance use to burn vegetation
Troops Driven
Search & Destroy Missions
US troops had little knowledge of terrain.
US would chase NV 'ghosts' in thick jungle.
Frustrated; US troops would destroy villages they found to 'eliminate' perceived NV presence
Example:
My Lai Massacre
- US Troops raided, destroyed and raped in the village of My Lai in 1968.
Strategic Hamlet Programmes
Moved SV peasants from traditional lands
Goal was to isolate Communist NV from "corrupting" Capitals SV
Failed a NV managed to infiltrate village and US tactic backfired and push SV toward NV
WHAM
Component of SHP; aimed at
Winning the Hearts And Minds
of SV
Failed as SV peasants were disiullusioned with US ideological involvement and persuaded with NV
practical assistance
North Vietnamese Unconventional Tactics
Guerilla Warfare
NV used Guerilla,
Hit & Run
tactics. Small scale short attacks that took US by suprise.
Ho Chi Minh Trail (HCMT)
Trail from NV to SV through thick jungle in NV, SV, Laos & Cambodia. Was used to move troops and weapons under the cover of jungle. Was long, intricate and undetectable from above
Booby Traps
NV used terrain to advantage and set traps for US troops. Unsuspecting US troops would fall victim to traps, seemingly without NV nearby. Creates the illusion of the NV as
ghosts
Chu Chi Tunnels
Intricate network of tunnels used by NV. Used to live in and avoid US detection. Crucial in the success of Guerilla Warfare
Infiltration
NV infiltrated and integrated with SV. Became valuable to SV & were therefore protected by SV in SHP and S&D missions.
Other Points to Consider
Anti-War Protests in US
1960s charecterised by 'pacifist movements' - US citizens called for end to War, pressuring policy makers
First 'televised war' brought horrors of Vietnam into the American household, pushing anti-war feeling
US thought war was conventional
US assumed War would be conventional (like WWII). Did not expect nor could not respond to unconventional tactics of Vietnam
US use of 'Cherries'
US used young, drafted, inexperienced soldiers 'cherries'. Young Americans were seen needlessly dying, promoting anti-war protests
Use of drugs were common by US soldiers, especially with Cherries.
Leadership
US had 4 presidents during war, each with different goals in Vietnam (Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon)
Vietnam had one leader Ho Chi Minh, with the single goal of reunification