Why the USA became involved in Vietnam Cambridge IGCSE History revision
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In plain words
No president decided to fight a long war in Vietnam. Each one sent a little more help than the last, sure that a little more would be enough. By 1968 there were more than half a million American soldiers there.
8 things to know
- Vietnam was a French colony. After the Second World War, the communist leader Ho Chi Minh and his forces, the Viet Minh, fought the French for independence. The USA paid most of the cost of the French war.
- In 1954 the French were defeated at Dien Bien Phu and left. Vietnam was divided at the 17th parallel. The North was communist, under Ho Chi Minh. The South was anti-communist, under Ngo Dinh Diem.
- Elections to reunite the country were due in 1956. The USA and Diem refused to hold them, because Ho Chi Minh would have won.
- American leaders believed in the domino theory: if one country fell to communism, its neighbours would fall one after another, like a row of dominoes.
- Diem's government was corrupt and unpopular. Communist guerrillas in the South, known as the Viet Cong, fought to overthrow it, with help from the North.
- The USA sent money, weapons and military advisers to the South. Under Kennedy the number of advisers rose to about 16 000.
- In August 1964 North Vietnamese boats were reported to have attacked American ships in the Gulf of Tonkin. Congress then gave President Johnson the power to take any action that he thought necessary.
- In 1965 Johnson began the bombing of North Vietnam and sent the first combat troops. Their numbers grew year by year.
Worked example
Explain why the USA became involved in Vietnam. This is a 6-mark question.
- Containment and the domino theory: American leaders believed that if South Vietnam fell, the rest of south-east Asia would follow.
- The weakness of the South: Diem's government could not defeat the Viet Cong alone, so more and more American help was needed to keep it going.
- The Gulf of Tonkin: the reported attack in 1964 gave Johnson the authority, and the reason, to send combat troops.
Tips and tricks
- The domino theory is the first reason to give for American involvement. Explain it. Naming it is not enough.
- Involvement grew in steps: money for the French, then advisers, then bombing, then troops. "Gradual" is the word to use.
It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.
Why the USA became involved in Vietnam: 5 questions and answers
These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.
Who led communist North Vietnam?
He had led the fight against the French.
Where were the French defeated in 1954?
They left Vietnam afterwards.
Who were the Viet Cong?
They were helped by the North.
Which president sent the first American combat troops in 1965?
He also began the bombing of the North.
Why did the USA not allow the elections planned for 1956?Stretch
Free elections would have defeated containment.
Quiz
5 questions
Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.
Worksheet
3 questions, 14 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.
Why the USA became involved in Vietnam
Cambridge IGCSE History 0470 · 14 marks · papermunch.org
Name ______________________________ Date ______________
What was the domino theory?[4]
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It was the belief of American leaders that if one country became communist, its neighbours would follow. They would fall one after another, like a row of dominoes. If South Vietnam fell, then Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and others would follow. It was used to justify American involvement in Vietnam.
What was decided about Vietnam in 1954?[4]
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After the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu, the French left Vietnam. The country was divided at the 17th parallel. The North was communist, under Ho Chi Minh, and the South was non-communist. Elections to reunite the country were to be held in 1956, but did not take place.
Why was the Gulf of Tonkin incident important?[6]
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In August 1964 North Vietnamese boats were reported to have attacked American ships. Congress responded by giving President Johnson the power to take whatever military action he thought necessary. This allowed him to bomb North Vietnam and send combat troops without a declaration of war, which turned support for the South into a full-scale American war.
Answers: Why the USA became involved in Vietnam
- 1. It was the belief of American leaders that if one country became communist, its neighbours would follow. They would fall one after another, like a row of dominoes. If South Vietnam fell, then Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and others would follow. It was used to justify American involvement in Vietnam.
- 2. After the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu, the French left Vietnam. The country was divided at the 17th parallel. The North was communist, under Ho Chi Minh, and the South was non-communist. Elections to reunite the country were to be held in 1956, but did not take place.
- 3. In August 1964 North Vietnamese boats were reported to have attacked American ships. Congress responded by giving President Johnson the power to take whatever military action he thought necessary. This allowed him to bomb North Vietnam and send combat troops without a declaration of war, which turned support for the South into a full-scale American war.