The U.S. Enters the Vietnam War

Title: The U.S. Enters the Vietnam War Labels: Vietnam_War, JFK, Cold_War, LBJ, Ho_Chi_Mihn, Gulf_of_Tonkin, Diem


The answers are due on Friday prior to class.


1. Many neutral observers in Vietnam were critical of US policy. Explain why.
Neutral observers in Vietnam were critical of U.S policy because America decided to prevent elections in Vietnam from happening because they were afraid the communists would prevail. Ho Chi Minh was an inspiration to Vietnam in the sense that he inspired the people to want a free country through communism. These observers were critical because the U.S was taking away the opportunity to elect an inspirational leader.

2. Explain how US politicians would have defended their policies.
U.S polititians wouldve enforced the "domino theory" in saying that if Vietnam fell to communism all Asian countries would as well.

3. The following events are not listed in correct date order. Place them in the correct chronological order. (Write the year inside the parenthesis, i.e. (1965). Then note the reason for each U.S. action, and how it brought the U.S. into deeper involvement in Vietnam.
The reasons you can choose from are: No direct involvement; financial support; political involvement; military involvement. Also, note what events triggered the increased involvement.


(1963 ) Assassination of JFK - Johnson becomes president
Johnson was more prepared to deal with the situation in Vietnam and commit to full U.S involvement.
political.

( 1955) Formation of South Vietnam
Ngo Dinh Diem was the one who set up The Republic of South Vietnam. He was supported by America because he was a bitter anti communist. He was a christian who had little to no respect for buddhism. He had a corrupted regime which eventually led to him being overthrown.
political.

( 1964) Gulf of Tonkin Incident
When the Tonkin Gulf resolution was passed, it gave Lyndon Johnson power to launch full way whenever he felt necassary.
military.

( 1962) Number of 'advisers' reaches over 11,500
Increased u.s military in vietnam.
military.

( 1962) JFK sends military advisers
Sent advisers to Vietnam to fight Viet Cong. Increased tension later between North and South.
militaty.

( 1965) U.S. Marines land at Da Nang
America is finally at war in Vietnam.
military.

(1954 ) U.S. stops elections in Vietnam
Angered Vietnam because they could not elect Ho Chi Minh.
political.

( 1963) U.S. supports South Vietnam government after army overthrow Diem
Increased support for a Communist led government.
no direct.
( 1960) Viet Cong attacks on U.S. and South Vietnam bases
The u.s had to fight back against Viet cong.
military.

( 1960) Viet Cong formed
later attacks U.S air forces.
no direct.

4. Choose two events that you think were critical in getting the U.S. involved in a war in Vietnam. Explain
your choice.
I believe two critical events was the assination of JFK and not allowing the elections to occur. The JFK assasination is very critical to getting the u.s involved in war because JFK was not necassarily ready to commit to a full war in Vietnam while Lyndon Johnson was ready whenever. Also not allowing the elections to occur made the people of Vietnam angry with the U.S from the beginning.