Background Flashcards
What country began to dominate Vietnam in 1860?
France
During the second world war, which government took control of Vietnam?
Japan
Why were Vietnam eager to defeat France at Dien Bien Phu?
France tried to regain Vietnam after WW2
Why did France withdraw from Vietnam?
Defeated at Dien Bien Phu on 8th May 1954
Who was the leader of the communist regime?
Ho Chi Minh
Between 1955 and 1960, who did the North Vietnamese, with the help of the Vietcong, try to take over?
Government in South Vietnam
Who was Diem?
President in South Vietnam
What happened to president Diem in November 1963?
Overthrown and executed because he was corrupt
Which two countries supplied military weapons to North Vietnam to help take over the South?
China and Russia
What was the domino theory?
America feared all countries would fall into communism
What did the US call communism?
‘Evil red menace’
Why did the US worry about starting an attack on North Vietnam?
- Thought it would create tension with Russia and China
* Possibly lead to WW3
What was the ARVN?
- South Vietnamese army fighting against communism
* Capitalists
Why did the US find it hard to portray South Vietnam as a hard working democracy?
Corruption was widespread among officials and armed forces
