Escalation
- Outline the role of the Gulf Of Tonkin Incident in the increasing US involvement
It was a trigger/excuse for the increased American involvement in Vietnam
- How vague was the Gulf Of Tonkin resolution? What is the significance of this?
It was vague to the extent as it didn’t list the circumstance that America was allowed to attack Vietnam, so America interpreted it that they could attack whenever they liked.
- What were the reasons for, and the consequences of, Operation Flaming Dart and Operation Rolling Thunder?
The two operations were introduced in retaliation to a Vietcong attack on some American troops. This resulted in heavy civilian loses and alienated the peasants from the Americans in the north.
- Why did Westmoreland want US combat troops in Vietnam?
Westmoreland wanted troops to support the two operations that were going on at the time.
- How did this begin the escalation of US forces?
This meant that the troops were now committed and fully involved in a ground war.
- What was the USA’s new military strategy in Vietnam?
A high tech approach, aiming to overwhelm the enemy.
- What are the attritions, “Search and Destroy”, “Free Fire Zone” and napalm?
Attrition is when the Americans attempted to wear down the opposition as they knew they had more resources. Search and Destroy is where the Americans looked for any Vietnamese settlements, and when they found them they destroyed them. The Free Fire Zone was an area where if something moved, you shot it. Napalm is a liquid that catches fire and was poured down the Vietnamese tunnel network.
- Why were the USA’s allies concerned about the degree of commitment being placed in Vietnam?
The more troops in Vietnam meant there were less troops keeping the peace in Europe.
- What was Operation Ranchhand?
An operation with the objective of destroying the jungle.
- How did Operation Rolling Thunder develop?
It started by the bombing of military bases, then supply depots and later supply trails, then industry and finally transport.
- Why did the policy of attrition not work?
It didn’t wear down the Vietnamese enough and they were able to repel attacks, although it was very damaging.
- How did the US strategy develop and make it less likely for a US victory?
They couldn’t tell the villagers and peasants apart from the Vietcong.
- How did the Americans view the war and how did this contrast with the view the Vietnamese had?
The Americans only served 3 years and so were constantly thinking about staying alive. The Vietcong went home when the Americans had gone home.
- What was the problem with the strategy of attrition?
The Vietcong could soak up the attacks.
- What problems did the US troops have?
Mainly low morale and wanting to go home.
- How effective was the US counter-insurgency?
Only 1% of search and destroy mission were successful and found Vietcong.
- When was the turning point of the war and why was this a turning point?
The Tet Offensive. Both sides suffered massive losses but the Vietcong more. However, politically the Americans suffered as the public watched it all.
- What was the effect of the war on US domestic politics at this time?
Johnson didn’t stand for a second term and the bombing raids stopped in the North.
- What was Nixon’s aim in Vietnam?
To end the war.
- Why did things have to change?
Nixon didn’t want to be like Lyndon Johnson.
- What would he have called this policy?
‘Peace with honour’
- How did congress try to limit the president’s conduct of the war?
The War Powers Resolution.
- What was Vietnamisation?
The gradual process of handing the war back to the South.
- What were the Paris peace talks like? Why was this so?
They dragged on mainly due to communist delaying tactics.
- What strategy was used to try and produce movement on the side of North Vietnam?
Bombing raids – Linebacker 1 & 2 – were started on the North to get them talking again.
- Name the two historians who have contrasting views on this strategy.
Herring is one.
- What happened in Vietnam after the American withdrawal?
Two years later the South fell to the communists.
- What were the arguments raised in “The post-war war”?
This is the academic discussion about the war. How they got involved and why they didn’t win.
- Was the media responsible for the US defeat?
They had a role to play but not totally responsible.
- Why did the war have a negative effect on the “Special Relationship”?
It cooled slightly as the British didn’t help.
- What was the reaction to the war in other western countries?
There were widespread protests.
