Vietnam
• WARNING!
• Remember these answers are
not full answers but are just
suggestions of points that you
could include!
What is the message of this cartoon?
(7)
An American
cartoon,
published in
1972. The crows
represent the
Communist
forces.
M- The main message of this cartoon is that the
American policy of Vietnamisation is in tatters.
C- The cartoon supports this message by showing a
scarecrow representing the American policy of
Vietnamisation in tatters as it is being attacked by
Communist forces.
C- Nixon came to power in 1968 with the intention of
ending the war in Vietnam. He could not surrender as
since 1965 the American government had been
persuading people at home that the war was just and
vital. He decided to put more of the burden of war on
the shoulders of the government of South Vietnam
who should do more of the fighting so American
troops could be withdrawn. The trouble was that
South Vietnam could not win the war on its own.
What is the message of this cartoon?
(7)
A British cartoon published in 1969. It is commenting on President
Nixon’s Vietnam policy.
M- ‘The main message of the cartoon is that Nixon
is indecisive.
C- This is shown in the source as the ‘no surrender’
horse is running away from him and the
‘Vietnamisation’ horse is on its knees signifying the
cartoonist views this as a policy that will fail.’
C- He could not surrender as since 1965 the
American government had been persuading
people at home that the war was just and vital. He
decided to put more of the burden of war on the
shoulders of the government of South Vietnam
who should do more of the fighting so American
troops could be withdrawn. but they were not
strong enough.’
Explain why US involvement in Vietnam
increased between 1954 and 1964 (8)
Explain why US involvement in Vietnam
increased between 1954 and 1964 (8)
• ‘To contain the spread of Communism.’
• ‘To keep the support of France against
Communism in Europe.’
• ‘Because China had become Communist.’
• ‘To support the setting up of the Republic of
South Vietnam.’
• ‘Because of the Gulf of Tonkin incident.’
Explain why the war in Vietnam
became increasingly unpopular in
America. (8)
Explain why the war in Vietnam
became increasingly unpopular in
America. (8)
• ‘The level of casualties was high.’
• ‘The economic cost of war was high.’
• ‘The use of horrific weapons and the use of certain
military tactics.’
• ‘Stories of drug addiction.’
• ‘Because of US atrocities committed against the
Vietnamese people.’
• ‘Because American people were increasingly aware of
what was happening in Vietnam.’
• Pick 3 EXPLAINED using PEE e.g see next slide
Explain why the war in Vietnam
became increasingly unpopular in
America. (8)
‘The Vietnam War was the first televised war and
because it received so much media coverage brought
home to Americans the stark reality of war. They were
able to see the use of horrific weapons such as napalm
against civilians. US atrocities against the Vietnamese
shocked Americans. An example was the village of My
Lai were 300 were massacred. The Americans sprayed
chemical defoliants which destroyed
vegetation, polluted the land and poison people and
this horrified people.’
Describe the Bay of Pigs invasion.(4)
Describe the Bay of Pigs invasion.(4)
• ‘In April 1961, 1 400 exiles, trained by the CIA
landed at the Bay of Pigs in an attempt to
overthrow Castro. They were met by 20 000
Cuban troops.’
• ‘The Cuban troops were successful, killing or
capturing the exiles.’
• ‘The anticipated support from the Cubans did not
materialise.’
• ‘Kennedy claimed there was no direct
involvement of the American government.’
What involvement did America have in
Vietnam between 1954and 1962? (4)
What involvement did America have in
Vietnam between 1954and 1962? (4)
• ‘Until 1954 the USA supported the French against the
Vietminh with money and
• equipment.’
• ‘Between 1954 and 1960 they sent equipment and military
advisers.’
• ‘The number of military advisers rose from 900 to 11,000.’
• ‘In 1955 the US helped Ngo Dinh Diem set up the Republic
of South Vietnam.’
• ‘Prevented the holding of free elections in 1954 fearing the
Communists would win.’
• ‘To try and prevent the spread of Communism – domino
theory
Describe the involvement of the USA
in Vietnam before Johnson became
President in 1963. [4]
Describe the involvement of the USA
in Vietnam before Johnson became
President in 1963. [4]
• ‘Until 1954 the USA supported the French against
the Vietminh with money and equipment.’
• ‘Between 1954 and 1960 they sent equipment
and military ‘advisers’.’
• ‘The number of military ‘advisers’ rose from 900
to 11,000.’
• ‘In 1955 the US helped Ngo Dinh Diem set up the
Republic of South Vietnam.’
• ‘Prevented the holding of free elections in 1954
fearing the Communists would win.’
Explain why the tactics used by the
Communists in Vietnam were
effective. [6]
Explain why the tactics used by the
Communists in Vietnam were
effective. [6]
‘They were hard to pin down. They did not wear a
uniform and had no known base camp. They often
looked no different than the village peasants.’
’The Communists knew how important it was to keep
villagers on their side as they helped to conceal them
or send the enemy into danger.’
‘The aim of guerrilla attacks was to wear down the
enemy soldiers and wreck their morale. This was
effective as soldiers lived in constant fear of ambushes
or booby traps which were hidden in the jungle. These
booby traps were cheap to make but very effective in
disrupting US patrols.’
Explain why the Communists used
guerrilla tactics in the Vietnam War.(6)
Explain why the Communists used
guerrilla tactics in the Vietnam War.(6)
• ‘The aim of guerrilla attacks was to wear down the enemy soldiers
and destroy their morale. It was effective as there was the constant
fear of booby traps.’
• ‘The Communist forces were no match for the superior American
power but he had seen had successful guerrilla tactics could be in
China where they were used by Mao to achieve a Communist
victory.
• ‘The Viet Cong feared US air power and so tried to ensure it was
close-quarter fighting – hanging on to American belts.’
• ‘By the fact that they merged into the background they were
difficult to find. They did not wear uniforms and worked in small
groups. They were hard to tell apart from the peasants in the
villages. They were helped by the Ho Chi Minh trail and
underground supply lines.
Explain why the Vietnam War became
unpopular in the USA. (6)
Explain why the Vietnam War became
unpopular in the USA. (6)
The Vietnam War was the first televised war and because it
received so much media coverage brought home to Americans the
stark reality of war. They were able to see the use of horrific
weapons such as napalm against civilians.’
‘By 1968 the war was costing $30,000 million each year. This
meant cutbacks at home on spending on social reform which left
many American very unhappy.’
‘‘US atrocities against the Vietnamese shocked Americans. An
example was the village of My Lai were 300 were massacred. The
Americans sprayed chemical defoliants which destroyed
vegetation, polluted the land and poison people and this horrified
people.’
‘Casualties were high. Over 50,000 troops were to lose their lives.
By 1968, 300 were dying each week. Most Americans knew a
relative or friend who had died, was affected mentally or on drugs.’
The main reason for American
withdrawal from Vietnam was the Tet
Offensive of 1968.’ How far do you
agree with this statement? (10)
The main reason for American withdrawal from
Vietnam was the Tet Offensive of 1968.’ How far
do you agree with this statement? (10)
• The cost of war was highlighted by ‘The Tet Offensive. There were nearly
500,000 troops in Vietnam and America was spending between $20 to $30
billion a year yet little impression was being made and the Vietcong were able
to launch major offensives. This huge spending meant cutbacks in spending on
social reform. ‘In 1967 ‘Life Magazine’ calculated it cost $400,000 for each
Vietcong guerrilla killed. Whilst they were quickly able to regain control they
used enormous amounts of artillery and air power. Many civilians were killed.
The ancient city of Hue was destroyed.’
• ‘The policy of search and destroy, bombing and the use of chemical weapons
failed and Johnson changed the policy after the Tet Offensive as he realised
the war could not be won militarily.’
• ‘Public opinion was changing. This was the first televised war and American
people were horrified at the barbaric nature of American attacks an example
being My Lai. As more and more soldiers returned in body bags or were
considered to be on drugs, public opinion turned. It led to open criticism of
Johnson – “Hey, Hey, LBJ, how many kids did you kill today”. The media had a
significant impact. It showed children being burned by napalm and people in
villages massacred.
‘American public opinion was more
important than military failure in
causing the USA to withdraw from
Vietnam.’ How far do you agree with
this statement? Explain your answer.
[10]
‘Public opinion was changing. This was the first televised war and
American people were horrified at the barbaric nature of American
attacks an example being My Lai. As more and more soldiers returned
in body bags or were considered to be on drugs, public opinion turned.
It led to open criticism of Johnson – “Hey, Hey, LBJ, how many kids did
you kill today”. The media had a significant impact. It showed children
being burned by napalm and people in villages massacred.’
‘The cost of war was highlighted by ‘The Tet Offensive. There were
nearly 500,000 troops in Vietnam and America was spending between
$20 and $30 billion a year yet little impression was being made and the
Vietcong were able to launch major offensives. This huge spending
meant cutbacks in spending on social reform. ‘In 1967 ‘Life Magazine’
calculated it cost $400,000 for each Vietcong guerrilla killed. Whilst
they were quickly able to regain control they used enormous amounts
of artillery and air power. Many civilians were killed. The ancient city of
Hue was destroyed. The policy of search and destroy, bombing and the
use of chemical weapons failed and Johnson changed the policy after
the Tet Offensive as he realised the war could not be won militarily.’
The tactics of the USA were the main reason for
its failure in the Vietnam War.’
How far do you agree with this statement? (10)
The tactics of the USA were the main reason for
its failure in the Vietnam War.’
How far do you agree with this statement? (10)
‘American technology and firepower were totally superior and under normal fighting
conditions would have been successful. For example the bombing tactics could not
defeat the Communists, only slow them down. Bombing often affected those the
Americans wanted on their side.’ ‘The policy of search and destroy, bombing and the
use of chemical weapons failed and Johnson changed the policy after the Tet Offensive
as he realised the war could not be won militarily.
‘The cost of war was highlighted by ‘The Tet Offensive. There were nearly 500,000
troops in Vietnam and America was spending between $20 and $30 billion a year yet
little impression was being made and the Vietcong were able to launch major
offensives. This huge spending meant cutbacks in spending on social reform. In 1967
‘Life Magazine’ calculated it cost $400,000 for each Vietcong guerrilla killed.’ ‘The
Vietcong were no match for the American forces in open warfare and so developed
guerrilla tactics. The principles were simple. Retreat when the enemy attacks, raid when
the enemy camps, attack when the enemy tires and pursue when the enemy retreats.’
‘The Vietcong tactics were a nightmare the US soldiers. Guerrillas did not wear uniform
and did not have base camps or headquarters. They were hard to tell from the peasants
in the villages. They attacked and then disappeared into the jungle.’ ‘Their aim was to
wear down the enemy soldiers and reduce morale. US soldiers lived in constant fear of
attack.’