Vietnam War Flashcards

Flashcards about the Vietnam War, its origins, key events, and aftermath, extracted from lecture notes.

Indochina

French-ruled area in Southeast Asia from 1862 to 1954, encompassing modern-day Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

Vichy France

New government set up in France after its defeat by Germany in 1940, aligned with Nazi Germany, which allowed Japanese troops to station in Indochina.

Viet Minh

League for the Independence of Vietnam, a Vietnamese nationalist movement led by Ho Chi Minh that aimed to achieve independence.

Dien Bien Phu

Location of a major defeat for the French forces in 1954, leading to their withdrawal from Indochina and negotiations at the Geneva Conference.

Geneva Conference

Conference in 1954 that divided Vietnam into North and South along the 17th parallel, with a plan for future reunification elections.

Ngo Dinh Diem

Anti-communist leader of South Vietnam who cancelled unification elections and implemented unpopular and authoritarian policies.

Ho Chi Minh

Communist leader of North Vietnam who introduced land reforms and was supported by China and the USSR.

Land Reforms

Policy of redistributing land from large landowners to peasant farmers, implemented by Ho Chi Minh in North Vietnam.

Rigged Referendum

A rigged vote held by Diem in October to remove Head of State Bao Dai and install himself as President.

Viet Cong

South Vietnamese opponents of the government in South Vietnam. Also included communist North Vietnamese taking orders from Ho

Group 559

A specialized unit of the North Vietnam Army, Group 559 job was to transport weapons, ammunition and other equipment to the Viet Cong.

Ho Chi Minh Trail

Supply route created by North Vietnam to transport weapons and supplies to the Viet Cong in South Vietnam.

Containment

Policy of the United States to prevent the spread of communism.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident

Incident in which North Vietnamese patrol boats attacked the USS Maddox, leading to increased US involvement in the Vietnam War.

Vietnamisation

Policy by Nixon to hand responsibility for the war to Vietnamese forces while withdrawing US Troops