USA and Vietnam (1964-1975) - Part 1

USA and Vietnam (1964-1975) - Part 1

1. Causes of the Vietnam War

   • War in Vietnam began in WW2
     • During WW2 Japan took control of the Vietnam economy
       • After the defeat of Japan, the Vietminh was formed (led by HoChi Minh) to fight against the French
         • French rule collapsed in 1954, after their defeat at Dien Bien Phu
           • At the Geneva conference of 1954, Vietnam was split at te 17th parallel - The North was Communist and the south Anti-Communist
             • The US supported the south in an effort to stop the spread of communism (the Domino Effect)
               • Economic and Military aid was provided; but the S Vietnam Gov. was unpopuar
               • By 1964 the USA was commited to protecting the south; including the Vietcong and Vietminh
   • Before WW2 Vietnam was part of the French Empire

2. Vietminh

   • A resistance movement formed by Ho Chi Minh in 1941 to fight against French and Japanese control. By 1945 it had become communist and had taken control of N Vietnam

3. Vietcong

   • The National Front for the Liberation of S Vietnam set up in 1960to fight for communism in S Vietnam. Called the Vietcong by the Americans, often abbreviated to VC

4. Guerrilla Warfare

   • Methodolgy
     • The aim is to avoid a pitched Battle
     • Used by the Vietcong, as they knew it would be extremely difficult to defeat America
     • Attack US Troops in small numbers and then disappear
     • Depended on support of locals - as they provided food and shelter
     • Long term aim to lower morale and wear down US Troops
   • Tactics
     • Mainly recruited men and women from South; some from North as well
     • Lived and worked in village communities
     • Code of Conduct
       • 1 - Be Polite
         • 2 - Be Fair
           • 3 - Return anything borrowed
             • 4 - Do not damage crops
               • 5 - Do not flirt with women
     • Persuade villagers to join them by targeting unpopular officials, such as tax collectors, and kidnap and murder them
     • Got into Us camps by doing simple tasks, i.e. washing and cleaning
   • Fighting
     • They were trained soldiers that would ambush US Troops or s Vietnam soldiers, and wold kil or capture the men. If the enemy were captured they would be tortured and killed.
     • Would set booby traps or plant bombs on enemy patrol routes
     • The 'hit & run' tactics made it difficult for the US to know where they were
     • They weren't completely safe in the villages so they built extensive tunnel systems to hide in.
       • Had weapon and ammunition stores, kitchens, sleeping quarters and hospitals
         • US claimed that it showed the success of US bombing campaigns
           • However it shows the organisation and determination of the Vietcong
     • The Vietcong needed supplies for N Vietnam, so thousands of routes were developed, and were often bombed by the US
       • T o avoid bombing the supplies went through other countries - Cambodia and Laos - on the Ho Chi Minh Trail
         • It was 600 miles longs, and 50 miles wide in places

5. America's response to Guerrilla Tactics

   • Response A
     • America invested heavily in South Vietnam, improving conditions.
       • In farming they built drainage ditches, to improve crop growth
       • Communications were improved by building canals, roads and railways
       • In towns, schools and clinics were built
     • Home were provided for refugees from the north
     • Democracy was incouraged
     • Was successful in towns but not in rural areas
   • Response B
     • Military approach
       • Bomb the N Vietnamese into submission
       • Search and Destroy the Vietcong
         • Led to the use of Chemical warfare