The Vietnam War

Question 1

First Indo-China War

Answer 1

1946-1954

Question 2

The USA recognises French-backed Bao Dai as legitimate leader of Vietnam

Answer 2

1950

Question 3

“We must not lose Asia”

Answer 3

Eisenhower
(Links to idea of domino theory)

Question 4

June - July 1954

Answer 4

The Geneva Conference/Accords

Question 5

The Geneva Accords
Decisions

Answer 5

17th parallel
French leave
PM in North: Ho Chi Minh
PM in South: Diem

Question 6

Nation Building

Answer 6

Given to Diem until 1960
Substantial amounts of aid and remained policy

Question 7

What Diem used financial aid for

Answer 7

Strengthen personal power
Corrupt and nepotistic leader

Question 8

Diem visited America

Answer 8

1957
Eisenhower referred to him as ‘miracle man’ of Asia

Question 9

Formation of National Liberation Front (who became known as Vietcong) in South Vietnam

Answer 9

1960

Question 10

Vietnam was a “laboratory” for counter insurgency tactics

Answer 10

General Maxwell Taylor

Question 11

Kennedy sent General Taylor and the Chair of the State Planning Department Policy Committee to Vietnam to assess

Answer 11

November 1961

Question 12

Number of advisors in Vietnam 1961

Answer 12

3000

Question 13

Number of advisors in Vietnam 1962

Answer 13

12,000

Question 14

North Vietnam’s army

Answer 14

PAVN - People’s Army of Vietnam

Question 15

South Vietnam’s army

Answer 15

ARVN - The Army of the Republic of Vietnam

Question 16

USA spending in Vietnam by 1963

Answer 16

Spending $1.5 million a day

Question 17

The Strategic Hamlets Program
Date

Answer 17

1962

Question 18

The Strategic Hamlets Program

Answer 18

Aimed to create stockades, which would house South Vietnamese rural peasants
Form of forced relocation
Purpose was to isolate South Vietnamese rural peasants from. Vietcong

Question 19

The Battle of Ap Bac

Answer 19

January 1963

Question 20

What The Battle of Ap Bac showed

Answer 20

Strength and preparedness of Vietcong, which was unexpected
Showed Diem was losing popularity and was probably military incapable of winning the war

Question 21

The Buddhist Crisis

Answer 21

May 1963

Question 22

“Let them burn and we shall clap our hands”

Answer 22

Madam Nhu

Question 23

JFK sent McNamara and General Taylor to Vietnam to assess the situation

Answer 23

Late September 1963

Question 24

An elderly Buddhist monk burned himself alive in Saigon

Answer 24

June 1963

Question 25

1 November 1963

Answer 25

South Vietnamese rebel generals activated a military coup

Question 26

2 November 1963

Answer 26

Diem and Nhu assassinated

Question 27

6 November 1963

Answer 27

Lodge said to Kennedy the coup was a purely Vietnamese affair

Question 28

Quagmire theory

Answer 28

Dangerous and usually complex situation which is difficult to exit US government got involved little by little one step at time Eventually the country was mired in the conflict and couldn’t get out (Links to how didn’t want to be president that loses the war)

Question 29

LBJ agreed to implementation of OPLAN 34 A - strategy based on covert action

Answer 29

January 1964

Question 30

Increase in number of advisors under Johnson (continuation of JFK)

Answer 30

16,300 -> 23,300

Question 31

When Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was actually drawn up

Answer 31

June 1964

Question 32

2 August 1964

Answer 32

PAVN retaliated and opened fire on the USS Maddox (Gulf of Tonkin)

Question 33

4 August 1964

Answer 33

Alleged attacks on Maddox and Turner Joy (Gulf of Tonkin)

Question 34

7 August 1964

Answer 34

Senate passed Gulf of Tonkin 88 to 2 votes (Gulf of Tonkin)

Question 35

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Answer 35

Gave Johnson authority to “use all means necessary” to defend US personnel in the region

Question 36

Public approval rating for Johnson after Gulf of Tonkin

Answer 36

42% -> 72%

Question 37

1964 election

Answer 37

Johnson won with 61% of popular vote

Question 38

“Why not victory over the evils of communism”

Answer 38

Barry Goldwater (Republican) - 1964 election

Question 39

Johnson’s beliefs

Answer 39

Believed Ho Chi Minh was another Hitler USA should fight communist aggressors Opposed to appeasement Domino theory

Question 40

Weakness and instability of Saigon government

Answer 40

July 1954 - November 1963: Diem November 1963 - January 1964: General Minh January 1964 - February 1965: General Khanh February 1965 - June 1965: Dr Quat June 1965 - September 1967: Air Vice-Marshal Ky September 1967(to April 1975): Thieu