HIST 111D - VIETNAM WAR MIDTERM FLASHCARDS

AUUUGH AUUUUGHH STOP IM ALREADY DEAD IM ARLEADY DEAD PLEASE

Orthodox School

Liberal-left leaning doves that were critical of American military intervention in the 1960s. It refers to the more conservative historical interpretation that is older than revisionist history and is the more dominant understanding of Vietnam War history.

Domino theory

Under Eisenhower administration, if Vietnam falls to Communism, it is the first in a string of dominos that knock each other over. Neighboring countries like Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Philippines will fall in the same camp.The orthodox theory believes that the domino theory is wrong. 

Revisionist school

Refers to right-leaning hawks challenging leftist Orthodox interpretation. They are typically activists and state officials in favor of U.S. intervention or involved military or American think tanks. They believe that the U.S. wrongly views the DRV/Ho Chi Minh as a Chinese-Soviet puppet and that they were communist rather than anti-colonial nationalist. They also assert that the U.S. inflated the DRV’s regional ambitions in the form of the domino theory along with underestimating Ho Chi Minh’s popularity.

Vietnam-Centric School

Composed primarily of younger post-war and overseas Vietnamese scholars + Products of “Renovation”. They were influenced by the “de-colonial” move in history field. Their core beliefs consist of the Vietnam war having deep roots in Vietnamese history, that they are not secondary characters but prime actors, and the perspectives of the Orthodox/Revisionist scholars are not mutually exclusive. 

Emperor Bao Dai (1913-1997)

Conservative nationalist emperor that was deemed a puppet by many historians, which was a misconception of his struggle for more independence from the French. Developed the Bao Dai state (state of Vietnam) and the Bao Dai solution, which established a national government of Vietnam under French influence. He was the last reigning emperor of Vietnam.

Ngo Dinh Diem (1901-1963)

South Vietnamese statesman: president of the first Republic of Vietnam 1956-63. Established as president with the United States support in the 1950s. Opposed Communist government of North Vietnam, overthrown by military coup approved by United States. Seen as a counterpart to Ho Chi Minh with priestly qualities.

Ho Chi Minh (1890-1969)

Anti-colonial nationalist that joined the French communist power in 1920 and participated in various revolutionary movements. Founded the DRV (North), the Viet Minh, and led Communist efforts, neutralized domestic political rivals, entered into negotiations with France, and is seen as a grandfather-like figure for the Vietnamese people, as he led long campaigns for Vietnam’s independence. Also founded the Vietnamese Communist Party in 1930 and became a leading figure of Vietnamese communism.

Declaration of Independence (September 2, 1945)

Ho Chi Minh makes a public address that Vietnam had been liberated and to state the consequences of war + Vietnam’s attitude towards France/allied powers during WW2. Colonial rule of Vietnam ends. Opened up an era of “independence, freedom, and happiness” for the Vietnamese people.

Potsdam Conference (July 1945)

Chinese nationalists accept Japanese surrender in the North and tolerates the Viet Minh. Ho Chi Minh was given permission to operate in the north and co-exist with the KMT military. The British accepted Japanese surrender in the South and opposed the Viet Minh. Led to Vietnam being partitioned at the 17th parallel temporarily.

Viet Minh (1941)

The League for the Independence of Vietnam, a national movement for Vietnamese independence, first from French rule, then from Japanese control during World War II formed by Ho Chi Minh. Was involved in the first IndoChina War, the Geneva conference, and the land reforms from 1946-54. During World War II, the Viet Minh were supported by the United States and the Republic of China, as well as by the Soviet Union. Later, the Viet Minh worked against the French reoccupation of Vietnam and then against the United States and South Vietnam.

Fontainebleau Accords (March, 1946)

An arrangement between France and the Viet Minh. 

1. Chinese troops withdraw from northern Vietnam

2. DRV rules North Vietnam as free state in the French Union

   1. New vietminh run state is called DRV 

   2. A lot of times these agreements can be run bc they’re vague 

3. France retains some military and commercial presence in North (gradual withdrawal schedule)

4. South stays in French hands

   1. After the august revolution, vietminh dislodged by british/french a week later

   2. Agreed that the south remains a french colony, which is a huge concession from ho chi minh

   3. Unity was romanticized

Bao Dai Solution (1947)

• Compromise for independence between French and Vietnam. 

• State of Vietnam – quasi-independent state in an “Indochinese Federation” (with Laos and Cambodia) , March 8, 1949

• French control foreign policy, defense, economic affairs

• Vague timetable for full independence

• 1953 - Bao Dai appoints Prime Minister organizes constitutional assembly

• Vietnamese National Army

  • 200,000 soldiers by 1954

• Growth of anti-communist support for Bao Dai state, urbanites, northern rural Catholics, southern sects, liberated zone exiles, anti-communist nationalists

The Geneva Convention/Accords (July 1954)

Agreement between Viet minh, Bao Dai government, France, China, USSR, Britain, US, and royal governments of Laos and Cambodia in which:

1. Cease-fire precedes political settlement

2. Military regroupment in zones across 17th parallel

3. Open border for 300 days (no restrictions on civilian movement from zone to zone)

4. Free elections to unify two zones within two years, jul 1956

5. “International control commission will manage the process: poland, india, canada (ICC enjoys full freedom of the movement)

   1. watchdog/policing role for agreement

   2. Body made up of asians of 3 diff countries 

   3. India is neutral

   4. Making sure no ones sending guns 

6. Each party agrees to refrain from reprisals or discrimination against persons or organizations on account of their activities during the hostilities to guarantee their democratic liberties

7. Ban on introduction of fresh troops, arms, and munitions, and military bases (including foreign ones)

8. Loose neutralization of laos/cambodia

Vietnamese Communist Party

Founded by Ho Chi Minh and others in 1930. In Vietnam, the ideas of nationalism and communism were intertwined; the primary objective of the Vietnamese Communist Party at its beginning was to rid Vietnam of French control and achieve national self-determination.

Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV)

North Vietnam, capital was Hanoi/biggest port was Haiphong and bordered with China/Laos. Was integrated into Communist bloc through diplomatic relations, training/exchange/cultural programs, and economic/military aid. Had massive organizations (women’s union, youth league, labor union) Responsible for Land reforms from 1953-1956

RVN

South Vietnam, capital was Saigon. Had issues with nepotism/corruption, weak support in rural areas. Was the foundation of the “National Liberation Front” and Viet Minh being “stay behinds” after the Geneva accords resulted in legal/illegal violent struggle from 1957-1960.

National Liberation Front (NLF), 1960

Also called the Viet Cong, this political organization and army in South Vietnam and Cambodia fought against the South and the United States. It had guerrilla and regular army units, and politically organized the peasants in the territory it controlled. During the war it was portrayed as a movement indigenous to South Vietnam, but it always contained some northerners as well.

1st Indochina War 12/1946

War between the Viet Minh and the French that was a breakdown of the Fontainebleau Accords. The Maritime tariff controversy, the French attack on Haiphong, and military mobilization in Hanoi were the starting events of the war. 1949 was a turning point in which there was a Chinese communist victory, a surge in US support for France, the creation of the Bao Dai solution, and growing Viet Minh power in the countryside.

Cao Dai Religion (1926)

Syncretic religion founded by urban intellectuals in Saigon. It was created in response to the failure of Confucianism and spread rapidly in the Mekong Delta. It combined Christian, Buddhist, and Islamic doctrines.

Hoa Hao Buddhism (1933)

Millenarian Buddhist religion that was founded in the Western Mekong Delta by monk named Huynh Phu So. Spread extremely rapidly with 2 million followers by 1941, who were part of an older millenarian tradition in the region.