Vietnam war

what was the Viet Minh? who supported it? once they gained their independence what was their step back? what happened because of that step back? what was a major problem that led to disagreements over control?

an independence movement that took military action against Vichy French (French gov't under nazi occupation) and the Japanese Vietnam. U.S. secretly supported the Viet Minh they were unrecognized by any country and had a lacking cohesive government = British troops entered south part of the country and disarmed the Japanese but the withdraw and the Chinese troops under Chiang Kai-shek entered north Vietnam to oust the Japanese there -non communist Vietnamese wanted to control the government while France wanted to reestablish its colonial authority = Vietnam faced competing demands of leadership so no Clea command over the,

Daniel Ellsberg (former pentagon official) leaked classified documents from the pentagon to the New York Times, what did these papers reveal? what did Nixon do about it? how did the court react to that and what happened to Daniel Ellsberg?

consisted of 14,000 pages of top secret information from the defense department concerning decision making about the Vietnam war from 1945 to 1967 •Revealed that the government had consistently misled the American public about the Vietnam War included that Johnson had expanded the war before telling the people -Ellesberg wanted to public to know about the deceptions •Nixon filed injunction •Supreme Court overturned injunction •Ellsberg tried for espionage; charges dismissed

what was the draft lotteries? how did it work? what did mean do if they didn't want to be drafted? when did the draft end? how old were those drafted?

in 1940 President Roosevelt signed the selective training and service act, establishing the selective service system •Draft lottery began again in 1969, man were picked randomly based on birthdates -all the man born on that date between 19- 25 were drafted •Some men received deferments if they were in school, were married with children, worked in agriculture, had been convicted of felonies, or had health problem, meaning they didn't have to go •Many enlisted rather than be drafted because it decreased their changes of being put on the front lines and gave them more control of where in Vietnam they went Draft ended in 1973 when military changed to all volunteer system

the prisoners of war were kept where? what were the conditions they were put in? what happened to them? what did the US do about it? did it ever get better?

•Kept in North Vietnamese prisons in or near Hanoi, these prisons were named by the Americans as Zoo, Alcatraz, Cap Hoe, and Hanoi Hilton •Horrendous conditions: filthy cells no contact with other prisoners or then outside= they would talk to each other by tapping out letters of the alphabet using a special code (they faked and lied about putting them in clean facilities- published falsely as proof) •Interrogation and torture increased after failed escape attempt •U.S. began to publicize prison conditions in may 1969 because before that they feared speaking of it would cause them more pain •Improvements after Ho's death •after the war they allowed the prisoners to return to their homes in the US but Continued controversy over some POWs' fate because some never returned

after the Tet offensive and the bad response of Americans the pairs peace talks began? why did it start? who was involved and what was it? when did it end?

•LBJ concerned about his political reputation •so he suspended some bombing and encouraged North Vietnam to negotiate they met may 10, 1968 •Slow pace, with contradictory demands + it got complicated since North and Viet cong did not acknowledge the legitimacy of the south and the south didn't acknowledge the legitimacy of Viet Cong •Talks languished until 1972

explain the 1960s counterculture and the war: who was part of the counterculture where did they express their views? why di it start?

•Mainly young people, but did not represent all youth •Not all hippies protested; not all protesters were hippies •Late 1960s to early 1970s •counterculture began because of dissatisfaction with 1950s conservatism; they began to question the conservative political mind •this counterculture led to Musical influences and cultural experimentation

what was the easter offensive? when did it happen? what happened in it? who won? what did each side get?

•March 1972 •NVA invasion nearly reached Saigon •U.S. resumed bombing attacks against North Vietnam and ordered American forces to plant explosives in north Vietnams major harbor •Ended in September •Both sides claimed victory •The North gained some bases in the South, and leverage at peace negotiations

what was the aftermath in the US after the war was over?

•More than 58,000 Americans killed; about 2000 missing; over 300000 wounded •Discussions concerning political miscalculations •Military lessons learned •U.S. had spent $700 billion (today's dollars) •Budget deficit = nation had to deal with political and economic recovery after

how did the US people feel throughout the war about the war? what two groups developed because of different opinions?

•Most Americans supported the war early on •Opposition began to spread more widely in 1966 after LBJ sent a large number of troops to Vietnam •Many still remained supportive so before the 60s and 70s it would be wrong to assume everyone opposed war •"Hawks" those in favor (conservative democrats and right winged republicans) who feared global threat of communism and "doves" (those opposed a small % and were very diverse) - college students led a lot of the protest but were not agains the war entirely

how did the fall of Saigon happen? when did it happen? by who? how did the US react? what happened in the end?

•NVA and Viet Cong took Saigon in 1975 •U.S. military helped with evacuations but failed to rescue many South Vietnamese who had helped in the war effort •South Vietnam came under communist rule •North and South united as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and this city was renamed Ho Chi Minh City in honor of first communist commander

what happened after the Geneva accords, particularly in 1955 and what did the US do about this?

•Ngo DinhDiem took power in 1955 of south Vietnam -south started to win territories in the south •Viet Cong as the Diem regime called them formed (also known as the national liberation front NLF) and threatened to overthrow Diem •U.S. opposed mandated unification election scared if Ho won the whole country would become communist Eisenhower supported Diem tho and since they did not sign eh treaty they did not have to support the election

who ran for the US election of 1972? who won and what did they promise?

•Nixon vs. Senator George McGovern of South Dakota •Nixon won by a landslide •Nixon promised peace and portrayed the governor as a radical

after the Paris peace accords when did they start again what was the outcome?

•Nixon was angry by his failure= Christmas Bombing of North Vietnam lasted 2 weeks and destroyed 80% of north's electrical capacity and 25% of its oil reserve •Peace accords signed on January 27, 1973 and Manu prisoners of war were released and US started to take troops out Last American troops left Vietnam in March 1973 but the US left naval and air power in the gulf go Toking, Thailand, and Guam + continued bombing campaign against Cambodia

in the campaign of 1968, Nixon presented himself as a war leader which is why he won, what were his war leadership? what was the purpose of the Nixon doctrine and what was Vietnamization?

•Nixon's "secret plan" •Nixon Doctrine meant to strengthen the south so they could take charge of fighting the north and US could exit •"Vietnamization"- putting the primary responsibility for the war in the heads of the Vietnamese which included training the south forces and then gradually withdrawal troops from Vietnam •Bombing under Nixon far exceeded LBJ's •Increased devastation under Nixon's watch tho

after the aerial bombings Johnson ordered US troops into Vietnam starting a ground war with about 200000 being set from the US over there to fight, what what the purpose of this ground war? what were then causes? how did southern Vietnamese feel about this?

•Number of ground troops grew rapidly •"Search and destroy" missions but they killed many civilians accidentally •Caused difficulties for the South Vietnamese: loss of farmland, inflation, refugees problem cause many in the south had to leave, loss of food •Many South Vietnamese came to see the U.S. as the enemy

who were the leaders of the pacifist movement that opposed the war?

•Often Quakers or Unitarians especially the following: •Dr. Benjamin Spock, who helped led the organization, the national committee for Sane nuclear policy (SANE), which beginning in the 50s cruised nuclear war and became involved in antiwar activities during the war

what was the Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW)? when was it organized how many people were part of? what operation did they carry?

•Organized in 1967 by six veterans •Support groups and health-care assistance for veterans •Membership and prominence grew after U.S. invasion of Cambodia Operation RAW: a protest march over Labor Day weekend in 1970 where veterans dressed in combat gear and stimulated search and destroy missions in the towns they marched through w/ citizen actors playing roles of Vietnam villagers

how long had the Paris peace accords been stalled? what happened and when did talks end?

•Paris peace talks had stalled for over three years but after the eastern offensive the stalemate began to dissolve and north felt isolated and feared being cut off by a US and china agreement •Kissinger (national security advisor) began meeting secretly with Le Duc Thoin (north diplomat) 1970- Kissinger agreed to have NVA retain troops in the south and north agreed to stop sending troops into south but insisted south leader Nguyen Van Theiu to be removed - ceasefire was reached by US and north Vietnam but Thieu rejected tentative agreement in 1972 •Talks broke off in December

how were all of those who came back from the war? what happened to them how did people treat them did they do okay after their return?

•Post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as shell shock ( after seeing terrible things like their friends been killed in front of them, having to always be alert and much more), but metal heath services were limited •Drug and alcohol addiction and faced the challenge of now getting clean but many in the US were also addicted to drugs •Veterans tended to resent antiwar protesters because the avoided going to Vietnam, veterans felt unappreciated even they also questioned then purpose of the war when they were fighting •Sometimes blamed for the government's mistake •Faced a nation that wanted to forget about the war, not allowing them to talk about it or have the support they needed in order to move on from the memories •Most did well upon their return

what was the Kent state massacre? why did it happen? how long did it last who was killed and by who? what was the outcome?

•Protests against Nixon's war in Cambodia on may 1, 1970 in Kent state university; a student burned the constitution before a large crowd to symbolize protesting against the government policies + plus that night fights between students and the police occurred •Four days of protests at Kent State University (OH) and it was declared a state of emergency = national guard called to help restore town and campus -students burned the reserve officer training corp building and man were arrested •National Guard killed four students and nine were injured •Photos widely published •Antiwar sentiments increased

what was the impact of the anti war protest?

•Protests did little to change public opinion about the war (or may have increased support for the war) because people got tired of all the protest and they didn't like the hippies so if the hippies were not for the war they decided they would be for it •Brought the war more closely into the public eye •Kept Johnson from drastically escalating the war

how did Americans react to the ted offensive?

•Reduced confidence that the United States was winning the war •Johnson considered adding 200,000 troops •New York Timesleaked article about troop increase; Johnson failed to respond •Johnson reduced troop increase and bombing of North Vietnam

what was the secret war that was occurring in Cambodia?

•Secret bombing attacks against Cambodia ordered by Nixon in spring of 1970 •Cambodia was officially neutral nation tho, point was to attack places the Viet Cong and NVA had made sanctuaries •Nixon wanted to send a message of support to South Vietnam from the new US president •American public initially unaware until late April when Nixon announced them

how were the conditions for soldiers in Vietnam? what challenges did they face and what did that led some of them to do?

•Terrible conditions in the Vietnamese jungle and swamps; it was very humid many fire ants, leeches, and snakes •Constant vigilance and the Viet cong booby trapped the jungle •Hard to distinguish Viet Cong from South Vietnamese villagers so anyone they encountered in the jungle they thought was an enemy •Some turned to drug abuse- marijuana and heroin Low morale made many wonder why they were fighting this war

what was the tet offensive? why was it called that what happened and what was the outcome?

•Tet: Vietnamese New Year (January 31, 1968) the following occurred: -both sides said they would call a three day cease fire to celebrate the three day holiday •North Vietnam launched offensive despite cease-fire on the south -over 80,000 viet Cong troops attacked 100 south cities and towns •North Vietnam lost militarily •Major psychological effect on American public because they believed the north couldn't launch this type o0f offensive + they started to wonder whether the war effort could possibly be worth the lives and money at stake •Destruction in South Vietnam and Viet Cong took over much of the countryside

this new plan by the US and the French to take down Viet Minh, did it do smoothly? if it didn't what attacks led to the failure?

•The American and French plan failed and Viet Minh invaded Laos in response to an expanded French army = heavy Viet Minh aggression forced France to abandon plane and counter new attacks •Viet Minh attacked French forces at Dien Bien Phu in 1954(were both sides gathered large forces in northwestern Vietnam) -the French surrendered in may because they didn't have enough artillery; began the withdrawal of French from Vietnam •U.S. did not provide military assistance to the French, but Dulles did believe they should air strike DienBienPhu, many opposed the US getting involved •Major victory for Viet Minh

what was the race and class issue that was part of war and the US military?

•The war drew attention to class and racial tensions •More poor men and minorities had to serve in Vietnam because they were not attending school and didn't have connections to get them out of it •African Americans tended to strongly oppose the war as many because they felt it represented racial oppression viewing the Vietnamese as victims of such by the US + less money was going to programs to help communities back home (it hypocritical to be fighting for their freedom when they didn't have it)

how were women a part of the Vietnam war? what was their role what did they do? was their effort recognize and what did the US do for them in the end?

•Thousands served in various military and civilian roles (intelligence officers, photographers, nurses, translators, therapist, and more) •Noncombat roles •Witnessed the same types of atrocities as men many times were in the line of fire especially during the ted offenses and many of then ended up having PTSD as much as male •Woman's efforts not highly recognized •Vietnam Women's Memorial Project organized by former army nurse Diana Carlson Evans to ensure women would be part of the memorial

what were the anti war ideologies? how many were they and did they agree with each other?

•Three general categories -Pacifists: opposed the war as a matter of principle -Radicals: believed tech ruling class of the US tended to use war as a way to exploit people to perpetuate a corrupt capitalist society -Antiwar liberals: (largest group) felt the war was legally and morally questionable; argues the war violated Geneva accords, United Nations charters, and the US constitution + said Vietnam should pick their own destiny •Did not always agree on the best protest strategies (liberals wanted nonviolent, the other two resisted even if it got violent)

what was the Gulf of Tonkin incident? who was involved? how did it happen? how did it end? include casualties and all that?

•Top-secret missions by the CIA against North Vietnam from 1961 (it included sending many spies but many were killed to disappeared into north Vietnam prisons) •August 2, 1964: Attack on U.S destroyer Maddox by NVA torpedo boats; but recent information showed U.S. fired first but they meant it to be a warning shot to the North Vietnam boats •August 4: Alleged second NVA attack against U.S. destroyer but afterwards commander of Maddox admitted that a north Vietnamese attack might not have actually happened and the reader reports could have been errors

how did the American allies feel about the war? who were the allies? which one of the allies openly oppose the war?

•Traditional European allies did not contribute; France and Canada (which welcomed thousands of dissenters and draft evaders) openly opposed the war •Pacific Rim allies included Australia (sent 8000 troops), S. Korea (sent 60000 troops), New Zealand (sent artillery but wouldn't get involved) , Thailand, and the Philippines both provided minor military support •All small and reluctant contributions and the US had contributed more •Support waned as the war went on

so the French lose and leave this leads to a treaty called the Geneva accords what did it say? how did Vietnam divide in the end?

•Treaty officially ended foreign involvement in Indochina and divided Vietnam into Northern and southern sections mandating the Viet Minh loyalist to remain in the north w/ its capital Hanoi and the French loyalist to stay in the south, w/ it capital as Saigon (south became known as republic of Vietnam and the north became the democratic republic of Vietnam) -the division led to a lot of internal migration: communist moved north and catholics moved south and the US central intelligence agency encouraged them to move into south -communist support intensified in the south w/ new communist party secretary Le Duan coordinating activities south of the demarcation line and in the north too

why did Johnson and his advisors after he became president want an escalation in the south?

•U.S. wanted to maintain its international respect and reputation •Hoped to prevent communist China's expansion •Johnson's political concerns and ego •Believed North Vietnam would give up its goals with gradual escalation but they underestimated north Vietnam's resolve and actually extended and lengthen the war

breakdown: who were the Viet cong? Who ran north Vietnam and what did they want? correlation and relations between the two?

•Viet Cong: communist revolutionaries in South Vietnam (NLF) •North Vietnam: Ho's communist government, who's military was the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) •North Vietnam wanted the Viet Cong to appear as if fighting independently even tho they supported them hoping the would prevent US from getting involved but still overthrow Diem -Viet Cong operated in small semi independent units, stealth; they attacked civilians, tortured and murdered collaborators, and did many booby traps and they dressed like civilians in order to fit in

Who was Gen. William Westmoreland? what did he believe? what was his strategy and what did he want to do?

•he was deputy commander of military assistance command. Vietnam, (MACV) -he believed that is the fighting continued it would led to a War of attrition where the Viet Cong and NVA would have to surrender •so he progressively tried to Large-scale ground and air attacks •Viet Cong and NVA fought a smaller-scale guerrilla war; difficult for U.S. to counter so Westmoreland was ineffective •Attrition did not work -he created "Logistical miracle" by overseeing construction of the infrastructure required to house all of those troops and equipment

explain how the US, Kennedy went about containment: what theory did they use? why did they want containment and who lead this idea in the US? What was the domino theory?

•in the beginning Kennedy had placed 16000 advisors in the south but Kennedy began to call for limited withdrawal of advisors by the time of his assassination •Johnson becomes president and wanted escalation: to increase US military involvement in the south -pres and other officials scared Soviets were trying to extend reach into countries of Southeast Asia •The domino theory of communism's spread: if one country fell to communism those nearby would fall too •U.S. policy of containment

for thousands of years, China ruled Vietnam but in the 10th century, they became a nation-state. Who ran Vietnam as a colony starting in the 19th century and when did that stop? why did it stop?

the French ran Vietnam till WWII, because Japan invade during WWII and kept French as a puppet government to provide administrative help.

While the Japanese controlled Vietnam the communist Vietnamese nationalist Ho Chi Minh returned from 20 years abroad to do what? how did he plan on doing this? did it work when was that declared? what did they call Vietnam?

to help organize an independence movement (he joined the Communist party in France) he did this by leading the Viet Minh in Vietnam in 1941. By the end of WWII Ho declared Vietnamese independence, calling the new country the democratic republic

how did the communist north send supplies to communist in the south? where did the supplies come from?

"Ho Chi Minh Trail": supply line through Laos and Cambodia to South Vietnam -came from china and the soviets which supported the communist north Vietnam government

how did many avoid and evade being drafted?

•170000 Conscientious objectors, meaning they objected on religious, moral, or ethical grounds, where they stood in front of a local board to prove he held his belief •Illegally burning draft cards, by 1965 this had been made illegal •Fleeing the country, usually to Canada (100000 left) and they were welcomed -president jimmy carter pardoned all draft diggers in 1977 but many stayed in the col entries they emigrated

the gulf of Tokin incident happens, and the US gets into a war with the north what happens next? how long did it last, what was the goal? did they succeed?

•Aerial bombing campaign began in March 1965 ("Operation Rolling Thunder") lasted three years •U.S. wanted to end North Vietnam's support for the Viet Cong by destroying the north's industrial in fracture and aerial defense; they bombed then HO CHI Minh trial •Bombing campaigns not effective toward this goal but it did cause crippling damage to its industry and agriculture to the north but the North support for Viet Cong did not end; instead it increased levels of aid from china and soviets and more people supported communism

as a weapon the US also used agent orange and agent blue, explain what this was?

•Agent Orange: -Killed jungle foliage -Caused genetic defects -when sprayed killed trees and destroyed first taking away the places the Viet cong would hide -led to spread of genetic disease and defects to ppl exposed to it •Agent Blue: -Destroyed crops -Peasants more affected than Viet Cong -was meant to end Viet Cong food supply

due to the alleged second attack on the US destroyer, what did Johnson do? did the second attack actually ever happen? what was the Gulf of Tokin resolution?

•Based on second "attack," Johnson ordered retaliatory airstrikes because he said US destroyers had been on international waters so the attack was unprovoked •congress passed on august 7 a joint resolution: Gulf of Tonkin Resolution allowed military action without declaration of war •Recent evidence shows that second attack never happened its possible this was an excuse to go into war with eh north

What was the My Lai Massacre? where did it happen? how man y died? did people know? how long was it covered up for? what did it fuel and cause with Americans?

•Charlie Company entered My Lai on search-and-destroy mission •they followed orders and entered the village just shooting = Brutally massacred over 300 villagers including women children and elders; they used bayonets to kill children and women as they prayed - William Calley ordered some villagers into a ditch and fired until they were all dead •Covered up for a year and a half -William Calley was convicted for murdder in 1971 but many saw him as an scapegoat because he was the only one convicted •Fueled the antiwar movement •Led more Americans to question the war strategy

what was the Vietnam Veterans memorial, when was it finished? what is it composed of?

•Completed in 1982 •"The Three Soldiers"- a white African American and hispanic •Vietnam Women's Memorial •Vietnam Memorial Wall has the name of more than 58,000 Americans names on it and 2000 who went missing

Who took office in 1953? what did he do to France and with who? did France agree and if they did why?

•Eisenhower took office in 1953 •Pressured France with secretary of state John Dulles for a more aggressive strategy and a timetable for victory because he was scared if Vietnam won it would lead to a communist takeover •France agreed in exchange for financial assistance of 385 million •Dulles predicted this strategy would led to victory by the end of 1955 -this new strategy was basically based on trumans was policies but his war strategies were altered

how did Martin Luther King Jr. feel about the war?

•Hesitated to speak out because of LBJ's War on Poverty •Became a vocal critic of the war: -Felt it morally irresponsible effort by the US to colonize another country -It diverted money from antipoverty programs •"Beyond Vietnam" speech, even on April 4, 1967 •the media criticized for antiwar position and the speech he gave calling it propaganda for north Vietnam

rundown of the first Indochina war: why did it happen? who supported who? how long did it last?

•Ho Chi Minh declared independence in 1945; received U.S. support •War with France broke out in 1947 because they did not Vietnam as soon as they declared independence so Viet Minh entered a full scale war with France to drive out then colonial power (called the first Indochina war by the French and French war by the Vietnamese) •Vietnam received assistance from communist China U.S. supported France by giving strong military support and paying 1/3 of war's cost, and denounced their support for Ho and Viet Minh, a communist group amp its leader; the US did support the Vietnamese government fashioned by the French under leader Bar Dai -lasted 10 years

how were veterans after the war ended and what did they do?

•Hundreds of veterans organizations •Reunions •Visits to Vietnam •Some veterans prefer to avoid talking about the war

how did individuals protest the war? how did groups protest the war? (both in the US)

•Individual acts of protest: -Burning draft cards -Self-immolation (hurting themselves to avoid draft) -7 Americans burned themselves alive publicly to oppose then war -Antiwar entertainment: preforming songs and stuff that clearly said they were opposed the war •Group protests: -Government and associated buildings (outside the white house many chanted "hey hey LBJ how many kids have you killed today?" -tried to impede Draft boards, recruiters, and Weapons manufacturers like Dow Chemical Company -some layer down in front of trains carrying troops headed for Vietnam

in the US gimme a breakdown of the 1968 election? who was running? who didn't run and why? who won?

•Johnson announced he wouldn't seek reelection •Assassination of Robert Kennedy •Democratic National Convention in Chicago •Humphrey, Nixon, and Wallace Nixon won the election

Kennedy becomes president in 1961 what does he do? who were protesting in the south how and why? did Kennedy support diem, why?

•Kennedy expanded aid to South Vietnam because of South Vietnam instability and Viet Cong threat in 1961 •Protests by Buddhists which concerned the US and Diem responded by attacking their temples also some buddhist would burn themselves alive to protest •U.S. supported overthrow of Diem government because he was a brutal leader who forced thousands off their land, discriminated against buddhist and favored catholics •Popular support for communists in South increased up to three quarters of the south

demographics of Vietnam? where did most live?

Mountainous terrain with dense tropical rainforest(high humidity, heavy rain, and hot temperatures) most lived on flat, fertile river deltas: red river delta in the north; Mekong river delta in the south

what is the Indochina composed of?

Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia

to protest the war where did many protesters go and what did they say and how did college students oppose?

-March on the Pentagon (1967) on October 21, 1967 (100000) protestors federal marshals arrested 600 -"Teach-ins" students gathered to learn and talk about the war and "sit-ins" on college campuses: nonviolent protest where students took over college administration buildings for days at a time and refuse to leave

Some of the people that opposed the war came out of the civil rights movement who were these people? and what was created?

-Students for a Democratic Society (SDS): encouraged students to engage in nonviolent civil obedience against these problems and to strive for a filly participatory democracy -Free Speech Movement they denounced the universities close ties with the military •all of these oppositions became known as The "New Left"

what weapons did the US use in this war?

-US had advantage over north Vietnam •Bombers and fighters •Tanks (limited use since it was in a jungle) and armored personnel carriers •Troops' individual weapons: rifles, mortars, grenades, mines "People sniffers" devices hung from helicopters that could detect slowly humane during thus locate Viet Congress and sadly sometimes farmers -used chemical incendiary devices most famous napalm (a chemical mixed with gasoline and dropped from airplanes; it stuck to the skin and burned the skin for an extended amount of time causing death or extensive injury