Vietnam Flashcards
(18 cards)
When was Dien Bien Phu ?
1954
What happened at Dien Bien phu ?
French had 15000 troops , Vietminh 50,000 and anti aircraft guns . Lasted 55 days before the French surrendered . The French had wanted to take back Vietnam , as it had been part of their empire but failed to do so .
Why did the Vietminh win at the Battle of Dien Bien phu ?
Local conditions - Vietminh knew the countryside
Local support - support from villagers
Help from China - Weapons , troops and Ammo
French mistakes and problems - underestimated the Vietminh , lack of commitment
Commitment from the Vietminh who were fighting for their countries survivial
When were the Geneva accords ?
1954
Which countries where at the Geneva accords ?
Cambodia , China , France , Laos , Uk , USA , the USSR and the North and South of Vietnam
After the Vietnamese defeated the French , what happened to Vietnam ?
Was temporarily divided
What was agreed at the Geneva accords ?
. The Vietminh would control the North with Hanoi capital
. Bao dai , who later elected Diem controlled the South with Saigon as capital . Both were fiercely anti communist
. People were free to move for 300 days after the agreement
. No foreign troops
. Elections for a united Vietnam would be held later on
Who was President of the USA at the time of the Geneva accords ?
Eisenhower
Why were the USA concerned about Vietnam ?
Because if they became communist , the rest of South Asia would follow . This was know as the Domino theory .
What did Eisenhower create in order to stop the spread of communism in 1954 ?
SEATO
Which countries were part of SEATO in 1954 ?
New Zealand , Australia , Pakistan , the Philippines , Thailand , Uk , France and USA
Who were the Vietcong ?
Vietnamese communists
Who were the ARVN ?
Army of the republic of Vietnam
Who were the NLF ?
National liberation front
How did Eisenhower support Diem ?
Sending in more advisors to train the south Vietnamese army
What happened in October 1955 between Bao dai and Diem ?
Bao dai spoke against Diems policies . Diem’s response was to hold a referendum with people voting for him or Bao dai as leader . US helped to run the elections and Diem won .
Why did Eisenhower keep on sending in advisors and aid to south vietnam ?
Diem refused to hold elections , he was becoming less democratic , he didn’t make reforms and just took the US money but not advice . Diem was unpopular too . Eisenhower didn’t want to make himself made a fool of .
When did Kennedy become President ?
1961
