Vietnam - 5 Flashcards
How did the Vietnam war?
Vietnam war culminated on 30 April 1975 with the fall of Saigon, the capital of SV, into the hands of NV. Succeeding events happened that led to the reunification of Vietnam. The war had significant impact on both civilians in Vietnam as well as US citizens.
What were the effects of war on Civilians in Vietnam and the United states?
Us response to guerrilla warfare: Hearts and minds, My Lai, Phoenix programme, defoliation and bombing
Media coverage and US public opinion towards the war: War protests in the US; and Fulbright hearings in 1971
What was the impacts of the war on Vietnam?
Most immediate effect on Vietnam war was the staggering death toll. The war killed an estimate 2 million Vietnamese civilians, 1.1 million North Vietnamese troops and 200,000 SV troops
Bombs - During air war US dropped 8 million tons of bombs between 1965-73, type of bombs used varied ranged from high explosive bombs to napalm used in air strikes on villages that were harbouring the NLF. Impact of high explosive bombs continued after war many failed to exploded still dangerous
Chemicals - NLF used Ho Chi Minh trail to avoid detection from the air. As result the US used defoliants. The Chemical most used for operations was agent orange. In 1969 Alone 1 million hectares of forest destroyed from AO. Agent Blue sprayed on crops to deprive the North of its food. 688,000 acres of Agricultural land sprayed
What was the impact of the war on the USA?
War had cod 58,000 US Lives. Affected 700,000 US veterans. Cost US over 100bn and damaged reputation and morale
Bombing campaigned failed because the bombs often fell into an empty jungle missing their target.
Search and destroy missions were often based on poor military intelligence
Brutal tactics used by US troops drove more Vietnamese peasants to support the Vietcong.
My Lai massacre damaged US reputation and undermined support for the war at home
Evens like the My Lai massacre were reported in the US press many Americans questioned the war. Many turned against war because of film footage.
What were the economic costs of the war for the US?
Us involvement very expensive. In 1964 cost to the taxpayer under half a billion dollars within 4 years increased to 26.5bn. War main contributor to the gov 26 billion deficit an to rising inflation in 168. US treasury warning that the war could not go on tax payers resentment help to convince Johnson that the war must stop.
What were the human costs of the war for the US?
Terrible human costs for US 50,000 US death in Vietnam 300,000 wounded. Many of US troops became drug addicts. Hard drugs easily available cheap in Vietnam. Estimated that heroin use by US troops was 30%
More than 3 million men and Women served in VW. 100,000 men returned with one or more libs. Many families effected.
How were Veterans treated?
US soilders returned to US were not treated as hero’s but as criminals and murders. Medical treatment for wounded or disabled veterans in US was poor. Many found if difficult to find jobs. Many veterans committed suicide.
