Kennedy's involvement: US involvement in the Vietnam War, 1954-75: History: GCSE (9:1)

Kennedy's aims

Kennedy was determined to get tough on communism and prevent its expansion in Asia. He increased US involvement in Vietnam.

Military experts

Kennedy sent in military experts to train the ARVN. 16,000 were sent during Kennedy's presidency.

Green Berets

Special force developed under JFK.

Equipment

Kennedy equipped 20,000 troops for the ARVN.

US spending in 1961

In 1961 the USA spent $270 million on military support for Diem.

Overthrowing of Diem

Kennedy realised that Diem was too unpopular to defeat the Vietcong. The US government gave its support to a plot by leading generals to overthrow Diem.

1st November 1963

The troops supporting the coup d'etat surrounded Diem's place in Saigon. Diem appealed to the US for help, the following day he was shot.

Coup d'etat

A sudden overthrow of the government by a small group

Impact of Diem's rule

For the US it was too late. Support for the Vietcong had risen in the South. By 1964 there were 170,000 Vietcong fighters.

Attacks on the South

Between September-October 1961 there was an increase from 50 to 150 attacks on the South by the Vietcong.

Strategic Hamlet Programme

Moving peasants to fortified villages which were guarded by troops. 3,000 Strategic Hamlets were set up.

Impact of the Strategic Hamlet Programme

Many peasants were moved away from their land, and their family burial grounds. This increased support for the Vietcong.