Cold War Asia- Vietnam Flashcards
(36 cards)
What was the domino Theory?
That communism would spread across countries especially in South East Asia
Who were the Viet Cong receiving supplies from?
Communist Russia and China
What was the religion of the majority of people in South Vietnam?
Buddhism although these people are treated badly by the Catholic leaders
What crucial decision was made about Vietnam in 1954?
It was a divided into North and South across the 17th parallel
Which European country had ruled Vietnam?
France
What was the name of the Communist guerrillas in South Vietnam?
The Viet Cong
In which year were us combat troops first on the ground in Vietnam?
1965
How would you describe Ngo Dinh Diem? Think of 3 words
Anti-communist, leader of the South, Catholic, anti Buddhist
What was the key aim of ‘Operation Rolling Thunder’?
To break the Communist supply line (Ho Chi Minh) from the North
What was Nixon’s policy of Vietnamisation?
To withdraw us troops from Vietnam and to hand over to the South Vietnamese forces
Were the US right to worry about the Domino Theory?
They were right in a way as South Vietnam and Cambodia all became communist
What was napalm?
A petrol based chemical used to destroy crops and land. It also burnt people terribly
Why was it difficult for the US troops to identify vietcong?
They did not wear a uniform and they were impossible to identify from average peasants/ villagers
What role did the USA have in Vietnam between 1954 and 1960?
They provided military equipment and sent military advisors
True or false- more bombs were dropped by the US in North Vietnam than in the whole of World War II
True
Who ruled North Vietnam?
Ho Chi Minh who was communist
What was the Tet Offensive?
A coordinated attack by Viet Cong on key South Vietnamese and US cities, which took them by surprise
What impact did Agent Orange have?
As a poison, leaves were removed from the trees by this chemical. Some areas in Vietnam are still uninhabitable due to poison in the ground
True or false the USA had better weapons than the Viet Cong?
True- but the Viet Cong had better tactics
Did President Johnson increase or reduce US involvement in Vietnam when he became president?
Increased involvement
Any us troops prosecuted for the Massacre at My Lai?
No- Calley served 3 days of a life sentence and was then released to house arrest
True or false- 75000 us troops were permanently disabled in the war
True
How much money did the War cost the USA?
$30000 million a year
What was the average age of Us troops in Vietnam?
19 years old
