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.
Showing posts with label Cold_War. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cold_War. Show all posts
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
The Cuban Missile Crisis
1. Kennedy described Wednesday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 27 as the darkest days of the crisis. Use the information on page 350 to explain why.
The blockade on october 24 is the beginning of the blockade on Cuba. The soviet ships carrying the missiles still come and this gives the soviets initiative to ask for the removal of missiles from turkey. This happened on saturday october 27. Kennedy was torn over this because he wanted the Cuban missiles out of the area but could not remove the missiles from Turkey. Also a U2 plane was shot down over cuba on the same day.
2. Do you think that nuclear war was ever a possibility in this crisis?
Yes because all the resources necassary for war were set in place and ready to be fired off at the moment of attack. Each country had enough weapons to anhiliate the other.
3. Is Source 26 a Soviet or an American cartoon? Explain your answer by referring to the details in the cartoon.
I believe that source 26 is an american cartoon mainly because it shows Kennedy as being the calm cool and collected one while Kruschev is stressed out and weak. It also shows how Kruschev is losing this cold war while Kennedy (america) is winning.
4. Using Source 27 list any evidence you can find for and against each of the explanations.
Why did the Soviet Union place nuclear missiles on Cuba?
To bargain with the USA
If there were missiles in Cuba Khrushchev could get Kennedy to give up some stuff in return for the removal of the missiles.
To test the USA
The Soviet Union wanted to test out President Kennedy. They placed these nuclear weapons in Cuba to see how strong the Americans really were. If america would act upon the issue, the Soviets knew they were strong. If they were to back down, they were weak and now the Soviets could use this to their advantage.
To trap the USA
the missiles in Cuba were a trap. Khrushchev wanted the Americans to find them and enter into a nuclear war.
To get the upper hand in the arms race
Khrushchev believed that with missiles in Cuba it was less likely that the USA would ever launch an attack against the USSR.
To defend Cuba
The missiles were used to help defend Cuba.
5. Choose the explanation(s) that you think best fit what you have found out about the crisis. Explain your choice.
I deffinatley think that Kruschev placed these missiles in Cuba to bargain with the u.s and to see how strong they were. Kruschev deffinatley believed that if he could put the missiles on Cuba and scare the u.s enough, they would back down in Turkey. For testing the U.S i think kruschev wanted to see how the u.s would react to such an immediate threat. This could determine how the soviets wanted to attack the u.s and what they could get away with.
The blockade on october 24 is the beginning of the blockade on Cuba. The soviet ships carrying the missiles still come and this gives the soviets initiative to ask for the removal of missiles from turkey. This happened on saturday october 27. Kennedy was torn over this because he wanted the Cuban missiles out of the area but could not remove the missiles from Turkey. Also a U2 plane was shot down over cuba on the same day.
2. Do you think that nuclear war was ever a possibility in this crisis?
Yes because all the resources necassary for war were set in place and ready to be fired off at the moment of attack. Each country had enough weapons to anhiliate the other.
3. Is Source 26 a Soviet or an American cartoon? Explain your answer by referring to the details in the cartoon.
I believe that source 26 is an american cartoon mainly because it shows Kennedy as being the calm cool and collected one while Kruschev is stressed out and weak. It also shows how Kruschev is losing this cold war while Kennedy (america) is winning.
4. Using Source 27 list any evidence you can find for and against each of the explanations.
Why did the Soviet Union place nuclear missiles on Cuba?
To bargain with the USA
If there were missiles in Cuba Khrushchev could get Kennedy to give up some stuff in return for the removal of the missiles.
To test the USA
The Soviet Union wanted to test out President Kennedy. They placed these nuclear weapons in Cuba to see how strong the Americans really were. If america would act upon the issue, the Soviets knew they were strong. If they were to back down, they were weak and now the Soviets could use this to their advantage.
To trap the USA
the missiles in Cuba were a trap. Khrushchev wanted the Americans to find them and enter into a nuclear war.
To get the upper hand in the arms race
Khrushchev believed that with missiles in Cuba it was less likely that the USA would ever launch an attack against the USSR.
To defend Cuba
The missiles were used to help defend Cuba.
5. Choose the explanation(s) that you think best fit what you have found out about the crisis. Explain your choice.
I deffinatley think that Kruschev placed these missiles in Cuba to bargain with the u.s and to see how strong they were. Kruschev deffinatley believed that if he could put the missiles on Cuba and scare the u.s enough, they would back down in Turkey. For testing the U.S i think kruschev wanted to see how the u.s would react to such an immediate threat. This could determine how the soviets wanted to attack the u.s and what they could get away with.
Monday, April 26, 2010
The U.S. Attempts to Contain Cuba
1. Why was Cuba so important to the United States?
Cuba was very close to Florida and would be a huge advantage for the u.s. Plus american businesses held property on Cuba and the U.S feared that the Soviets would utilize Cuba to station ICBMs.
2. Why do you think the Americans chose to equip Cuban exiles rather than invading themselves?
They believed that utilizing U.S forces the Soviets would see it as a direct attack on them and retaliate with drastic measure. They also believed that Cubans coujld run their government better than American outside forces.
3. Why did the invasion fail?
The U.S feared that if they provided to much assistance they would be discovered. Because of their failure, the Kennedy administration is embarrassed internationally and fear of possible retaliation from the USSR. As well as more guerillla campains from the Cubans.
4. Compare Source 17 on page 345 (in the Arms Race.pdf reading) with Source 24 on page 348. Describe how the Soviet Union missiles on Cuba changed the Cold War balance of power.
Source 17 shows that american missiles placed in the direction of soviet cities would have a short range to Europe and long range from the U.S. Source 24 shows soviet missiles placed in the direction of american cities and positioned in Cuba compared to long range short range missiles. These sources show the potential of both world powers to completely obliterate their opponent. Both could attack the other at efficient speed.
Cuba was very close to Florida and would be a huge advantage for the u.s. Plus american businesses held property on Cuba and the U.S feared that the Soviets would utilize Cuba to station ICBMs.
2. Why do you think the Americans chose to equip Cuban exiles rather than invading themselves?
They believed that utilizing U.S forces the Soviets would see it as a direct attack on them and retaliate with drastic measure. They also believed that Cubans coujld run their government better than American outside forces.
3. Why did the invasion fail?
The U.S feared that if they provided to much assistance they would be discovered. Because of their failure, the Kennedy administration is embarrassed internationally and fear of possible retaliation from the USSR. As well as more guerillla campains from the Cubans.
4. Compare Source 17 on page 345 (in the Arms Race.pdf reading) with Source 24 on page 348. Describe how the Soviet Union missiles on Cuba changed the Cold War balance of power.
Source 17 shows that american missiles placed in the direction of soviet cities would have a short range to Europe and long range from the U.S. Source 24 shows soviet missiles placed in the direction of american cities and positioned in Cuba compared to long range short range missiles. These sources show the potential of both world powers to completely obliterate their opponent. Both could attack the other at efficient speed.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Eisenhower & The Cold War
1. The Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb in 1949.
The U.S responded by creating the first Hydrogen Bomb. They all wanted to be a step ahead.
2. In 1951, the Iranian prime minister placed the oil industry in Iran under the Iranian government’s control.
United States had the CIA give several million dollars to anti-Mossadegh supporters. This would hopefully have pro-American Shah of Iran return to power. This was because america feared Mossadegh would turn to the Soviets for help.
3. The Guatemalan head of government gave American-owned land in Guatemala to peasants.
U.S had the CIA train an army to invade Guatemala
4. In 1956, Britain, France, and Israel invaded Egypt and occupied the Suez Canal.
U.S stepped in and persuaded the countries.
5. Soviet tanks invaded Hungary and fired on protesters in 1956.
Nothing was done by the U.S because they feared starting a physical war with the soviets.
6. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik.
This rocked the U.S causing a frantic pour of money into a fund for the space program. They rushed to create a satellite but failed miserably on the first go. The second was successful.
7. In 1960, the Soviet Union brought down an American U-2 piloted by Francis Gary Powers.
The U.S was startled and lied about using the planes to spy. The Soviets were quick to show evidence so Eisenhower admitted to the spying. This created much tension between the soviets and americans mainly because Eisenhower refused to appoligieze.
The U.S responded by creating the first Hydrogen Bomb. They all wanted to be a step ahead.
2. In 1951, the Iranian prime minister placed the oil industry in Iran under the Iranian government’s control.
United States had the CIA give several million dollars to anti-Mossadegh supporters. This would hopefully have pro-American Shah of Iran return to power. This was because america feared Mossadegh would turn to the Soviets for help.
3. The Guatemalan head of government gave American-owned land in Guatemala to peasants.
U.S had the CIA train an army to invade Guatemala
4. In 1956, Britain, France, and Israel invaded Egypt and occupied the Suez Canal.
U.S stepped in and persuaded the countries.
5. Soviet tanks invaded Hungary and fired on protesters in 1956.
Nothing was done by the U.S because they feared starting a physical war with the soviets.
6. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik.
This rocked the U.S causing a frantic pour of money into a fund for the space program. They rushed to create a satellite but failed miserably on the first go. The second was successful.
7. In 1960, the Soviet Union brought down an American U-2 piloted by Francis Gary Powers.
The U.S was startled and lied about using the planes to spy. The Soviets were quick to show evidence so Eisenhower admitted to the spying. This created much tension between the soviets and americans mainly because Eisenhower refused to appoligieze.
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