Vietnam Test 1

CofO Vietnam 25'

What was read in the Vietnam streets in September 1945?

The Vietnamese Declaration of Independence

What was la Drang?

It was the 1st battle between America and the North Viet Army (NVA).

When was la Drang?

November 14, 1965

Who were the SDS?

Students for Democratic Society, the primary anti-war group in America.

When did the US pull out of Vietnam?

Began pulling out, January 27 1973, Paris Peace Accords. Last troop out March 29, 1973.

How many Americans lost their lives in Vietnam?

58k, 4th most costly war.

What were the effects of the Vietnam war in America?

It disrupted the economy, polarized society, and broke the consensus on foreign policy.

Who was George Kennan?

He was the Director of Policy Planning under Truman.

What policy is George Kennan famous for?

His policy of “containment”.

What quote is attributed to BG Kinnard?

“Most Americans assumed the enemy would just quit if hit hard enough and long enough.  But that assumption was totally wrong.  The enemy was not going to quit no matter how good our statistics looked.  We made it a war of will rather than a war of power.  The problem was that while we had the power, as it turned out, they had the will.”

What quote is attributed to Newt Gingrich?

“We designed a war we were going to lose, and we managed to lose it the way we designed it.”

What quote is attributed to George Kennan?

“Vietnam was the most disastrous of all America’s undertakings over the whole of its history.”

When did public opinion turn against US in Vietnam?

Early 1968, after the Tet Offensive.

What was the Tet offensive?

Tet, the Vietnamese new year, was generally considered a day of ceasefire in the war. The NVA and Viet Cong launched their largest offensive in the war on Tet. The U.S. won by roughly 249 - 10,000.

Why did the Tet offensive change public opinion?

Military analysts believed the war was almost over and enemy forces were dwindling. The Tet offensive showed we were making little progress.

When did the French take control of Vietnam?

They took control in the 1880’s from China.

What was France’s reason for taking control of Vietnam?

They used it as a money-generating colony.

What were Vietnam’s main exports?

They produced rice, could harvest 2-3 times per year, as well as rubber (michelin). Thousands of Vietnamese people died each year in the rubber plants.

Who took control of Vietnam from France?

Japan in fall of 1940, took advantage of WWII.

When did the Japanese surrender?

September 2nd, 1945, onboard the USS Missouri. Ho also read his Declaration of Indepence in Hanoi that day.

Who is Charles de Gaulle?

French Prime Minister

What did the French do in early fall of 1946?

They declared themselves the absolute power in Vietnam in the city of Saiyon, then sent their cruisers to open fire on Haiphong from the Gulf of Tonkin. It was the beginning of the 1st indochina war. They killed roughly 6k.

What was the domino theory for Vietnam?

If Vietnam falls, Communism will spread across nearby countries.

When was Mao victorious in China?

December 1949, the U.S. was worried they may support commies in Vietnam with weapons.

When did China and Russia recognize Vietnamese independence?

They affirmed Ho as the leader in January 1950.

When did the U.S. recognize Vietnamese independence?

Truman, against his advice, affirmed Bao Dai as the leader in February 1950, and gave him 10 million dollars.

Who disagreed with supporting Bao Dai?

Raymond Fosdick in the State Advisors Department Debate in November 1949.

How much of the country did the Viet Minh control, and how many troops did they have?

They controlled the rural 2/3 of the country and had 250-400k troops.

What was Truman’s response to the capture of 6k French soldiers?

He gave them an additional 130 million dollars.

Who was Jean da Lattre De Tassigny?

He was an aggressive French general who said he could finish the war in 15 months.

What was Jean da Lattre De Tassigny’s plan?

He wanted to build up the Vietnamese National Army (VNA) to 100k men by 1951. He did not even get half that.

How did da Lattre die?

He died of cancer in 1952.

What was MAAG?

Military Assistance and Advisory Group

How much did Truman give to the French in 1952?

150 million dollars

Who was John Foster Dulles?

Secretary of State under IKE

When was Eisenhower (IKE) elected?

November 1952

Who was Henri Navarre?

He was a French General. He was in charge at Dien Bien Phu.

What was the Navarre plan?

Build up the VNA to 150k, bring in 9-10k French soldiers, and withdraw from isolated

Who was Ngo Dihn Diem?

He became the prime minister of Vietnam, he was anti-communist but had a bad personality. He was a compulsive talker, had relentless logic, didn’t listen, and elitest.

How many Viet Minh were left in South Vietnam?

Roughly 10-15k

How many Catholics fled south?

900k

What was the South’s primary religion?

Buddhism

Who was Ngo Dinh Nhu?

He was a ruthless right-hand man to his brother Diem. He rigged the vote, so Diem got 98.2%, sent dissenters to reeducation centers, roughly 50k.

How much money did the U.S. send to Diem?

1 billion dollars.