The Vietnam Conflict, 1945-75
Overview
In September 1945 Ho Chi Minh stood in Hanoi and declared Vietnamese independence, opening with a line borrowed from the American Declaration of Independence. Thirty years later the last American helicopters lifted off a roof in Saigon while the tanks of the army he had built came through the city gates. Between those two moments lay two wars, several million deaths, and a question the United States is still arguing about.
This note follows the conflict from the war against France to the fall of Saigon, and it tries to keep all the parties in view: Vietnamese nationalists and communists, the peasants of the villages who bore most of the cost, the South Vietnamese government and army, and the Americans who fought and the Americans who marched against them. Because this is a Paper 2 source topic, it also teaches you how to read the evidence a televised war produced, and how to weigh a source written by someone who was there against one written by someone who needed the story to come out a particular way.
Objectives
- The struggle against France for independence, 1945-54: the origins of the First Indochina War, the aims of the Vietminh, tactics of General Giap, the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu
- US policy and intervention, 1954-64: the Geneva Conference, the Domino Theory, life in North and South Vietnam, the NLF, the Ho Chi Minh Trail, the Strategic Hamlet Programme, the fall of Diem, the Gulf of Tonkin incident
- Confrontation in the Vietnam War, escalation 1964-68: the roles of Johnson, McNamara, Westmoreland, Search and Destroy, Operation Rolling Thunder, a televised war, the siege of Khe Sanh, the Tet Offensive
- Nixon and Ford's policies, 1969-75: failure of peace talks, widening the war, relations with China, the Paris peace talks, Vietnamisation, withdrawal, the renewed North Vietnamese offensive, the fall of Saigon
- The impact of conflict on civilians in Vietnam and attitudes in the USA: effects on civilians, Hearts and Minds, My Lai, defoliation, university protests, media coverage, opposition and pro-war demonstrations
Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on The Vietnam Conflict, 1945-75. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- What happened at Dien Bien Phu in May 1954? A) The United States began bombing North Vietnam B) The French garrison surrendered to Vietminh forces under General Giap C) The Geneva Accords were signed D) Ngo Dinh Diem was overthrown Answer: B
- Why were the nationwide elections promised for 1956 never held? A) The Vietminh refused to take part B) France vetoed them at the United Nations C) Diem refused to take part, with American support, in the belief that Ho Chi Minh would win D) The Geneva Accords had not in fact promised them Answer: C
- What was the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution of August 1964? A) A formal declaration of war on North Vietnam by Congress B) A congressional authorisation for the president to take all necessary measures without a declaration of war C) A ceasefire agreement between the USA and North Vietnam D) A United Nations resolution condemning North Vietnam Answer: B
- Why is the Tet Offensive of 1968 usually described as a turning point? A) It captured Saigon for the National Liberation Front B) It was a military failure for its attackers but contradicted official American claims of progress and reduced public support C) It ended American bombing of North Vietnam permanently D) It forced the North Vietnamese to sign the Paris Peace Accords Answer: B
- Which term describes Nixon's policy of withdrawing American troops while expanding and equipping the South Vietnamese army? A) Pacification B) Rolling Thunder C) Vietnamisation D) Search and destroy Answer: C
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
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