1955-1963: JFK in Vietnam Flashcards
(24 cards)
When was the NLF established
In December 1960
What was the goal of the NLF
To free South Vietnam from US imperialism and to unite Vietnam
What did the NLF contain
Remnants of the Viet Minh with Ho Chi Minh regarded as spiritual father.
Mutually supportive relation between communism and nationalism
Why was Diem so unpopular in Vietnam
Seen as American but did not listen to USA
Distrustful towards anyone that wasn’t his family
Did not treat citizens beliefs about their ancestral ground respectfully (dedicated country to the Virgin Mary)
Ran country like a dictatorship
JFK’s 3 foreign policy failures in 1961
Bay of Pigs Fiasco
Laos
Vienna Summit
Who were Kennedy’s advisors
Rusk and Mcnamara
Who were the Hawks
Those who pursue military methods to force North to accept the South
Who were the Doves
Those who use diplomatic efforts for a compromise
What was flexible response
Kennedy’s policy in Vietnam
Use a wide-range of strategies such as counterinsurgency, conventional arms, nuclear, economic, covert, prepared to negotiate
What is counterinsurgency
Tactics used to defeat guerrilla warfare
When was the Taylor Report for Vietnam
3rd November 1961
What was the Taylor Report
Greater training for South Vietnam army
Increase in helicopter force
Increase in US combat force
Strategic bombing of North Vietnam
For flexible response what was the increase in advisors from 1961 to 1962
1961: 3000
1962: 12,000
By 1963 how much money was USA spending in Vietnam
$1.5 million a day
What was the strategic Hamlet project
Relocation of South Vietnamese rural peasants into small villages to protect them
Purpose of strategic Hamlet
Allow Diem easier time to spread own influence to prevent villagers joining Viet Cong
Impact of strategic Hamlet project
Not very successful as it was unpopular due to the fact it would forcibly move peasants away from ancient ancestral land
When was the Battle of Ap Bac
January 1963
What happened in the Battle of Ap Bac
VC located in Ap Bac, near Saigon
2000 ARVN troops and US troops
ARVN refuse to attack and after refuse to mount a rescue mission
Impact of the Battle of Ap Bac
Shows how untrained the South Vietnamese army was
When was the Buddhist Crisis
May 1963
What happened in the Buddhist Crisis
Diem was Catholic favoured Catholic
Ngo Dinh Thus was Archbishop of Hue after Diem lobbied the Vatican on borthers behalf
Banned flags for celebration of Buddha’s birthday
Encouraged to display papal flags
10,000 protested
Diem uses military to block speech made by Buddhist leader Tri Quang. With Tri Quang meeting with US to pressure Diem into changes
Diem thought VC behind protests
Made waves in Vietnam and US television
When was Diem assassinated
November 1963
Leadup to Diem’s assassination
Diem refuse to undo his repression
So reduce US support to force Diem to cooperate
Diem still did not listen so on 1 November 1963 SV rebel stage military coup
2nd November 1963 Diem assassinated
