Escalation of Conflict in Vietnam (AQA GCSE History: Wider World Depth Study (Paper 1: Section B)): Flashcards
Exam code: 8145
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Define the Vietminh.
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Define the Vietminh.
The Vietminh were the Vietnamese Independence League, led by communists Ho Chi Minh and Nguyen Vo Giap, which fought to free Vietnam.
Which two countries, along with Vietnam, made up French Indochina?
Along with Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia made up French Indochina.
France fought a war against the Vietminh from 1946 to .
France fought a war against the Vietminh from 1946 to 1954.
True or False?
Japanese occupation caused nearly 2 million Vietnamese people to starve to death.
True.
Japan stripped the region of resources and took food for its own population.
How much did the USA spend on France's war with the Vietminh between 1950 and 1954?
Between 1950 and 1954, the USA spent US$3 billion on France's war with the Vietminh.
Where did the French build a fortified base to try to force a decisive battle in 1954?
The French built a fortified base to try to force a decisive battle in 1954 at Dien Bien Phu, in northern Vietnam.
The siege of Dien Bien Phu lasted days until the French surrendered.
The siege of Dien Bien Phu lasted 57 days until the French surrendered.
Roughly how many French troops were killed at Dien Bien Phu?
Around 3,000 French troops were killed at Dien Bien Phu.
In which Swiss city did world leaders meet in 1954 to decide Vietnam's future?
World leaders met in 1954 to decide Vietnam's future in Geneva.
The Geneva Agreement divided Vietnam along the parallel.
The Geneva Agreement divided Vietnam along the 17th parallel.
Who was to govern North Vietnam after the Geneva Agreement?
Ho Chi Minh was to govern North Vietnam after the Geneva Agreement.
Who was to govern South Vietnam after the Geneva Agreement?
Ngo Dinh Diem was to govern South Vietnam after the Geneva Agreement.
By when were elections meant to be held to choose a government for the whole of Vietnam?
Elections were meant to be held before July 1956 to choose a government for the whole of Vietnam.
Why did the US back Ngo Dinh Diem as leader of South Vietnam?
The US backed Ngo Dinh Diem as leader of South Vietnam because he was strongly anti-communist.
Diem claimed to win the October 1955 election with % of the votes cast.
Diem claimed to win the October 1955 election with 98.2% of the votes cast.
Which religion did Diem belong to, leading him to restrict Buddhists' freedom to worship?
Diem belonged to Catholicism (he was Catholic), leading him to restrict Buddhists' freedom to worship.
How did Buddhist monks most famously protest against Diem?
Buddhist monks most famously protested against Diem by burning themselves to death.
True or False?
Over 100,000 people were imprisoned for opposing Diem before the 1955 election.
True.
Over 100,000 people were imprisoned for opposing Diem before the 1955 election.
Define the NLF (National Liberation Front).
The NLF (National Liberation Front) was the group bringing together Diem's political opponents, soon dominated by communists, which took direct action against his government.
What did the name 'Viet Nam Cong San', shortened to Vietcong, mean?
The name 'Viet Nam Cong San', shortened to Vietcong, meant Vietnamese communist.
What was the Vietcong's aim?
The Vietcong's aim was to overthrow Diem's government and create a united, independent Vietnam.
Define the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
The Ho Chi Minh Trail was the supply routes from North Vietnam through Laos and Cambodia into South Vietnam, used from 1959 to supply the Vietcong.
From onwards, the Vietcong were supported and supplied by North Vietnam.
From 1959 onwards, the Vietcong were supported and supplied by North Vietnam.
Which army, supplied with American weapons, did Diem use to fight the Vietcong?
Diem used the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), supplied with American weapons, to fight the Vietcong.
Why was it impossible to identify Vietcong soldiers among the population?
It was impossible to identify Vietcong soldiers among the population because they did not wear uniforms, so they blended in with peasant farmers.
True or False?
The Vietcong planned to win with large, crushing battles rather than small attacks.
False.
They planned to drag the war out with thousands of small attacks.
Define the Domino Theory.
The Domino Theory was the belief, widely held in America, that if one country became communist, neighbouring countries would fall to communism one after another.
In which year did China become a communist country, gaining the USSR an important ally?
China became a communist country, gaining the USSR an important ally, in 1949.
True or False?
Americans saw the spread of communism as a direct threat to the American way of life.
True.
Americans saw the spread of communism as a direct threat to the American way of life.
For which years was Dwight D. Eisenhower US President?
Dwight D. Eisenhower was US President from 1953 to 1961.
True or False?
Eisenhower sent American combat troops to fight in Vietnam.
False.
He refused to send American troops but sent military advisors, weapons and vehicles.
Define SEATO.
SEATO was the Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation, created by Eisenhower, whose members agreed to fight together to prevent the spread of communism.
Eisenhower supported Diem by sending , weapons and vehicles to fight the Vietcong.
Eisenhower supported Diem by sending military advisors, weapons and vehicles to fight the Vietcong.
For which years was John F. Kennedy US President?
John F. Kennedy was US President from 1961 until he was assassinated in 1963.
Define the Strategic Hamlet Program.
The Strategic Hamlet Program was a Kennedy-backed policy forcing Vietnamese peasants into fortified compounds to stop them giving the Vietcong food and information.
By 1963, over of South Vietnam's peasant population had been moved to strategic hamlets.
By 1963, over two-thirds of South Vietnam's peasant population had been moved to strategic hamlets.
What unintended effect did the Strategic Hamlet Program have?
The Strategic Hamlet Program had the unintended effect of causing support for the Vietcong to rapidly increase.
On what date was Diem shot dead by members of his own army?
Diem was shot dead by members of his own army on 2nd November 1963.
In which month and year did the Gulf of Tonkin incident occur?
The Gulf of Tonkin incident occurred in August 1964.
Which US warship was torpedoed in the Gulf of Tonkin incident?
The USS Maddox was the US warship torpedoed in the Gulf of Tonkin incident.
Define the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was the measure that freed President Johnson to use the US military to defend South Vietnam and attack North Vietnam however he chose.
Who was US President at the time of the Gulf of Tonkin incident?
Lyndon Baines Johnson was US President at the time of the Gulf of Tonkin incident.
Define search and destroy tactics.
Search and destroy tactics were US tactics of using helicopters to descend suddenly on villages to find and kill the Vietcong and destroy their supplies.
Why was it almost impossible for US troops to identify Vietcong fighters?
It was almost impossible for US troops to identify Vietcong fighters because they operated in small groups and did not wear uniforms, so they looked like ordinary farmers.
What was Operation Ranch Hand?
Operation Ranch Hand was the spraying of millions of litres of herbicide (defoliant) to kill jungle plants and expose Vietcong trails and food.
Operation Ranch Hand ran from until 1971.
Operation Ranch Hand ran from 1962 until 1971.
True or False?
Search and destroy tactics increased support for the Vietcong.
True.
Villagers resented having their homes destroyed.
What was Operation Rolling Thunder?
Operation Rolling Thunder was a sustained US aerial bombing campaign targeting North Vietnam's supply routes, cities and factories.
Operation Rolling Thunder began in March 1965 and continued until November .
Operation Rolling Thunder began in March 1965 and continued until November 1968.
Roughly how many tons of bombs were dropped on Vietnam during Operation Rolling Thunder?
Nearly 900,000 tons of bombs were dropped on Vietnam during Operation Rolling Thunder.
How did the Vietcong protect themselves from the bombing?
The Vietcong protected themselves from the bombing by building extensive underground bases and tunnel complexes.
Define the draft.
The draft was the process of conscripting 18 to 26-year-olds into the US armed forces.
How did wealthy Americans avoid the draft?
Wealthy Americans avoided the draft through deferments for attending college or medical exemptions from family-friend doctors.
Around people moved to Canada to avoid the draft.
Around 30,000 people moved to Canada to avoid the draft.
Who was the most famous draft dodger, a world heavyweight boxing champion?
Muhammad Ali was the most famous draft dodger, a world heavyweight boxing champion.
True or False?
Muhammad Ali was banned from boxing for three years and lost his world title.
True.
His prison sentence was overturned on appeal.
Define SDS (Students for a Democratic Society).
SDS (Students for a Democratic Society) was the group that organised and coordinated student anti-war protests across America.
What nationwide demonstration did students organise in October 1969?
In October 1969, students organised the Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam.
The November 1969 demonstration involved around people marching in Washington D.C.
The November 1969 demonstration involved around 500,000 people marching in Washington D.C.
Where did most student anti-war protests take place?
Most student anti-war protests took place on college campuses across America.
Define baby boomers.
Baby boomers were the generation born in the post-World War II baby boom, who became adults in the 1960s and often rejected their parents' values.
Name one artist who captured the mood of the generation with anti-war songs.
Bob Dylan (also Jimi Hendrix or Neil Young) captured the mood of the generation with anti-war songs.
What name was given to young people who rejected capitalism, grew their hair long and took drugs?
Hippies was the name given to young people who rejected capitalism, grew their hair long and took drugs.
True or False?
American society was split along generational lines over the war.
True.
Older generations tended to support the war, younger generations tended to oppose it.
Which US Marines base did the Vietcong and NVA attack, drawing away reinforcements?
The Vietcong and NVA attacked the US Marines base at Khe Sanh to draw away reinforcements.
Define the Tet holiday.
The Tet holiday is the Vietnamese public holiday celebrating the Lunar New Year, during which both sides usually observed an unofficial ceasefire.
In January , the Vietcong and NVA launched over 100 simultaneous attacks across South Vietnam.
In January 1968, the Vietcong and NVA launched over 100 simultaneous attacks across South Vietnam.
Roughly what proportion of its fighting force did the Vietcong lose in the Tet Offensive?
In the Tet Offensive, the Vietcong lost an estimated 20% of its fighting force.
True or False?
The Tet Offensive caught the Americans and the ARVN completely by surprise.
True.
It was launched during the Tet holiday ceasefire.
How did the Vietcong change their usual tactics during the Tet Offensive?
During the Tet Offensive, the Vietcong abandoned guerrilla tactics and attacked the Americans head on.
Roughly how many Vietcong or NVA troops were killed, captured or wounded?
Around 37,000 Vietcong or NVA troops were killed, captured or wounded.
Around US troops were killed during the Tet Offensive.
Around 2,500 US troops were killed during the Tet Offensive.
Which building in Saigon did the Vietcong capture, shocking Americans?
The Vietcong captured the American Embassy in Saigon, shocking Americans.
What did millions of Americans conclude after watching the Tet Offensive on TV?
After watching the Tet Offensive on TV, millions of Americans concluded that they had been lied to by their government.
What did President Johnson announce in March 1968 following the public backlash?
In March 1968, President Johnson announced that he would not stand for reelection.
True or False?
After the Tet Offensive the war was widely viewed as expensive and unwinnable.
True.
Fewer Americans than ever supported the war.
On what date did the My Lai massacre take place?
The My Lai massacre took place on 16th March 1968.
What was the name of the US company that carried out the My Lai massacre?
The My Lai massacre was carried out by Charlie Company.
The My Lai massacre resulted in the deaths of between 347 and villagers.
The My Lai massacre resulted in the deaths of between 347 and 500 villagers.
Who were the majority of the victims at My Lai?
The majority of the victims at My Lai were women and children, including babies.
True or False?
Charlie Company arrived at My Lai on a search and destroy mission.
True.
They had been told to expect to fight the Vietcong.
Which photographer's leaked images of My Lai were published by Life magazine?
The leaked images of My Lai published by Life magazine were taken by Sergeant Ron Haeberle.
Which US commander ordered an inquiry after hearing stories of My Lai?
General Westmoreland ordered an inquiry after hearing stories of My Lai.
Photographs of the massacre were published by magazine.
Photographs of the massacre were published by Life magazine.
What insult did protesters often call US soldiers after My Lai was exposed?
After My Lai was exposed, protesters often called US soldiers 'baby killers'.
Of how many murders was Lieutenant William Calley convicted?
Lieutenant William Calley was convicted of 22 murders.
What sentence did Calley receive in March 1971?
In March 1971, Calley received a life sentence.
Which President intervened to have Calley released from prison in 1974?
President Richard Nixon intervened to have Calley released from prison in 1974.
True or False?
Calley claimed he was following orders.
True.
Many Americans believed others should also have stood trial.
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