The Vietnam War at home and abroad Flashcards
By what year was 70% of the costs of the French war covered by USA?
1953
When were the Geneva Accords?
1954
How many advisors were building up a South Vietnamese force after JFK died?
15,000
How many US casualties?
58,000 mainly black
Between 1 and 3 million Vietnamese
When did NV overrun SV?
1975
When was the Cambodian-Vietnamese war and Sino-Vietnamese war?
1978
1979
When did anti-war movements begin?
1962
Why did Johnson escalate the war?
Credibility, electoral concerns, domino theory, his personality
What was the Gold of Tonkin incident?
North Vietnamese PT boat attacks US destroyer USS Maddox “turning point” august 1964
Leads to Johnson passing Tonkin gulf resolution only 2 senators oppose- conduct retaliatory strikes against north Vietnam
How did troops increase?
Between January and July 1965 missions change by April 60,000 troops by July 175,000, by 1966 400,000
Why did America lose?
Needed more bombs not been halfway
Followed JFK not introduced forces and focused on counterinsurgency
First televised war- led to lack of support
North Vietnamese more nationalistic and determined
International consequences
International economic system organised around U.S dollar
Post- ww2 alliance system
US viewed as imperialist bully
Domestic consequences
Implosion of democratic party
Anti-war movement coalesce around the war
Trust in public institutions
How did people avoid going to war?
Wealthy people defer draft on the basis on education, joined the National Guard or Reserves, fled to Canada- leads to reform of the draft system and ultimately introduction of an All-Volunteer Force
