13. Confrontation In The Vietnam War Flashcards
(34 cards)
What was Johnson’s initial policy in vietnam?
-to achieve a quick victory without having to commit USA to an escalation of its role in Vietnam
What is OPLAN 34A and what is its significance?
- January 1964
- based on covert action to escalate pressure on north Vietnamese
- also to force Hanoi to stop aggressive policies
- that Johnson was not committed to a negotiation
- that he saw the conflict expanding into NV.
- the V was can be seen as becoming Americanised at this point
When did Johnson become president + why?
- Kennedy was assassinated and he was vice
- November 1963
What happened as a result of European allies not liking Johnson’s approach?
- USA’s allied support began to diminish
- French leader warned increase of involvement in V could lead to the failed Indochina
when and What was the golf of Tonkin resolution?
- 7th August 1964
- After US navel vessel was attacked by NV force in golf of Tonkin
- congress agreed to allow Johnson to take whatever action necessary to resist
What did the golf of Tonkin resolution allow Johnson to do?
-freedom to conduct any policy he wanted without consulting congress
What led to America’s further escalation in Vietnam late 1964?
- China and USSR providing military supplies to NV
- USSR establishing diplomatic links with NLF
- Vietnamese forces moved down Ho Chi Minh trail
- Vietcong strengthened position in SV
Why didn’t Johnson believe in diplomacy in 1964 + evidence?
- believed that NV would back down when faced with the economic and military might of the US (similar to E and Brinkmanship)
- and gold of Tonkin resolution enabled him to enforce this
- offers to talks arranged by UN secretary were rejected by US
Why + when did Johnson order ‘rolling thunder’?
- feb 1965-1968
- it was a bombing campaign
- Due to Vietcong attack on army barracks and US helicopters
What did rolling thunder show about the nature of the war?
- Americanisation of the war
- escalation of US involvement
What was NV’s four point proposal?
- US troops withdraw from SV
- neither NV OR SV can enter into a military alliance with a foreign power
- SV affairs must be settles by the people w/out external interference
- peaceful reunification of Vietnam to be settled by the people
What was johns response to the 4-point proposal?
- rejected them
- believed acceptance may lead to a unified communist Vietnam=domino theory
- ordered 20,000 troops to deploy and publically announced escalation of US military role
What were the strengths of the North Vietnamese war effort
-large supply of soldiers (used conscription), but many volunteered as they wanted to save their country
-knew terrain
-skilled in guerrilla warfare
-won support from peasants (US
search and destroy team helped this)
-ho chi Minh trail
What were the weaknesses of the North Vietnamese war effort
- dependency in the USSR and China
- north economy could not maintain a prolonged war
- no guaranteed support from SV peasants
- lacked air and military prowess of America
What were the strengths of the American war effort
- SV soldiers in side
- had powerful Air Force, could deploy bombs and troop support
- large army (2.8 million Americans) over 100,000 being deployed each year
What were the weaknesses of the American war effort
- weren’t prepared for terrain and weather
- inexperienced in guerrilla warfare
- 19 was average age= inexperienced troops
- 43% died In first 3 months of their tour
- many cases of desertion
- America became overly extended on numerous military commitments
- SV we’re not committed and not trained
- press coverage =anti war movement
Give an example of guerrilla tactics?
- complex tunnels
- booby traps
Explain how bombing was a strength for the US?
- rolling thunder
- deployed huge B-52 bombers
- was successful in destroying some military targets
What was the aim of US bombing
-aim to destroy economy and undermine northern forces
How was US bombing seen as a weakness?
- aim failed as they had very well disguised military targets
- NV resources were replenished by aid from China and USSR
- agent orange turned peasants against the US, causing famine. Many civilians were victims
Explain search and destroy?
- intended to find and destroy enemy in the jungle + villages
- many innocents were killed in raids
- livestock + homes of peasants were destroyed
Why was search and destroy a weakness of the US?
- rural peasants refused to ally
- they saw success by body count not by number of enemy dead and many civilians died
What big figure supported the anti war movement in America?
- MARTIN LUTHER KING
- he was an influential voice appealing to so many black men that were conscripted
- helped increase domestic opposition from black community
How did NV gain peasant support?
- promised things to them eg. Respect and peace
- element of cooperation through terror and were preferred than Americans
