Costs of Vietnam War

Question 1

How many Americans died in the Vietnam War?

Answer 1

58,000

Question 2

How were Vietnam war veterans treated in America?

Answer 2

Found they were ostracised by the peace movement
-Faced indifference and rejection from US general public

Question 3

What was the estimated financial cost to the US in the Vietnam War?

Answer 3

$167b

Question 4

To what extent was there a domino effect in Asia following the loss of Vietnam?

Answer 4

-Cambodia and Laos came under socialist regimes
-Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia remained firmly in the capitalist camp

Question 5

What was the range of the number of Vietnamese casualties in the Vietnam War?

Answer 5

1.3m-9m

Question 6

How did Vietnam face hostility from the US from 1975?

Answer 6

-Ford opposed Vietnam’s entry into the UN
-Ford imposed a trade embargo on Vietnam

Question 7

How many bombs were dropped from the USA on North and South Vietnam?

Answer 7

643,000 tons dropped on NV
700,000 tons dropped on SV

Question 8

What was the defoliation programme where the USA exposed guerrilla fighters?

Answer 8

Operation Ranch Hand

Question 9

What did US congress pass in 1973?

Answer 9

War Powers Act
-Gave Congress the right to declare war, and prevent US presidents from acting without consent of the Congress

Question 10

Who were the ‘boat people’?

Answer 10

The 1.5m people who left Vietnam on flimsy crafts