North Vietnam's strengths & weaknesses

The greatest weapon at NVs disposal was…

the determination of its troops & their ingenuity in battle.

unlike the US forces…

they knew the terrain & its people

the North also received…

logistical support from China & the USSR

northern forces consisted of…

the Vietcong and the regular NV army

the VC was strengthened by its ability to…

gain recruits among the disaffected, anti-American rural peasantry in SV

how did the VC gain recruits from SV

The guiding principles of the NLF guerilla forces won support. The VC were also prepared to use violence against any peasants that challenged them; there was an element of cooperation through terror.

NV used guerrilla tactics to…

compensate for their inability to engage in conventional warfare

what was the impact of guerrilla tactics

undermine the resolve & morale of the US forces

how was the Ho Chi Minh trail used by the NV

a primary supply route, vital to the logistical tactics employed by the North. It passed through Cambodia & Laos into SV & was a crucial supply line for men and equipment.

what foreign support did NV have

from China & the USSR

In December 1964 China agreed to…

provide military supplies to NV

when did China agree to provide military supplies to NV

December 1964

when did China expand its military aid

1964 - 1969

in 1964 China supplied over….guns

80,000

in….China supplied over 80,000 guns

1964

by 1989 China was supplying about…guns

140,000

by…China was supplying about 140,000 guns

1989

The USSR supplied…

surface-to-air missiles, jets and artillery systems.

what were the weaknesses of NV

There was a dependency upon the USSR & China to support the war as NVs economy could not sustain a prolonged war. There was also no guaranteed support amongst the SV peasantry.