Essay-Point-Note - History Grade 12 Vietnam essay PDF

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NB INFORMATION TO USE IN VIETNAM ESSAYS Reasons for America’s involvement: domino theory As a capitalist country USA believed they had the responsibility to protect capitalist South Vietnam from being overtaken by communist North Vietnam, which was being supported by China and the USSR. The USA beli...

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NB INFORMATION TO USE IN VIETNAM ESSAYS 1. Reasons for America’s involvement: domino theory As a capitalist country 2. USA believed they had the responsibility to protect capitalist South Vietnam from being overtaken by communist North Vietnam, which was being supported by China and the USSR. 3. The USA believed that it would be an easy war against North Vietnam. 4. They had superior resources at their disposal, sophisticated weapons, and innovative technology. 5. The Vietcong fought a very effective guerrilla war 6. USA sent advisers and military supplies only. 7. “safe village” policy where local peasants were moved into fortified villages, failed 8. Gulf of Tonkin persuaded Congress to support the sending of more troops to Vietnam 9. By 1967 there were 500 00 U.S. soldiers in Vietnam. 10. Operation Rolling Thunder to destroy the Ho Chi Minh Trail 11. Vietnamese unleashed the Tet Offensive in 1968 and captured almost 80% of all towns and villages. 12. This offensive played a major role in turning American public opinion against the war. 13. By 1969 14 000 Americans were killed. 14. Public opinion turned against Johnson and he announced (1968) that he would not run for presidency again. 15. Nixon introduced a policy of Vietnamisation. 16. He ordered the bombing of North Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos to cut off the supply trail. 17. In reply, North Vietnam invaded Cambodia and Laos and set up communist Governments 18. By now the war was very unpopular in the US and in 1973 a ceasefire was agreed upon. 19. In 1975 the Vietcong captured Saigon. Vietnam became a single country again with a communist government. 20. The booby traps inspired fear in the US soldiers which in turn led to a low morale. 21. This was the first television war- night after night Americans were confronted with the horrors of war 22. This led to anti-war protests: students and hippies denounced the war 23. The shooting of four demonstrators at Kent state University made matters worse 24. My Lai Massacre - hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians killed. 25. Photographs of the massacre shocked the American public and more and more people turned against the war 26. Agent Orange was the cause of cancers and birth defects that became widespread in Vietnam. 27. For all these things America received much criticism from the world and people lost respect for them as a country that stood for good, especially as a result of brutal scenes involving citizens. 28. The Vietnam War highlighted the failure of the US policy of containment...