Conflict in Indo China
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Key feature The significance of the French Defeat at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu
Worst military defeat in colonial history
Tremendous implications locally and globally
(a) Significance for Vietnam
Cheap University Papers on Conflict in Indo China
End of French rule in Vietnam
Demonstrates power of nationalism Vs foreign invader
Support the VM- peasants (power they had over the peasants)
VM controls areas in Viet, Highlands- Chinese Boarder, Red Delta- Mekong River Delta, and Northern provinces of Laos
(b) Global Significance
French defeat seen as Communist victory Vs Democracy
US furious see defeat as the monolithic giant- Communism spreading into other nations
USA refuses to participate in discussions of Vietnam's future at Geneva Conference
US interpret the victory as a victory for China and communism rather than nationalism
Chinese see the victory as concern- don't want strong Vietnam to their south
(c) The Effect of DBP on the Geneva Conference
Vietnamese believe they can negotiate terms of their own rule-position of strength
Communism and Democratic powers wary each other- more important than actual military victory at DBP
China worries about Vietnamese strength
French wanted out
Key Feature The Significance of the Geneva Conference and the Failure to Hold Elections in 156
Most decisions result of secret talks, France, China and USSR-power brokers.
Attempts were made to deny politically what had happened militarily
Ngo Dinh Diem Prime Minister State of Vietnam 16 June
The Significance of the Geneva Accords for Vietnam
The terms of cease-fire between France and DRV were
Vietnam temporarily divided at 17th parallel
Period of months legal migration
General elections held across both zones July 156- reunify Vietnam
Neither zone to sign military alliances, receive military aid from abroad
The Significance of the Geneva Accords for Cambodia and Laos
Royal Govts In Cambodia & Laos independence upheld
000 communists of Cambodia had no voice at Geneva. The KPRP weakened thousands of its members went into exile in Hanoi.
Accords were between France and DRV
US Alternative to the Accords
Geneva Accords were to prove only a breathing space between the two wars.
SEATO est. on 14 NATO (National Atlantic Treaty Organisation) collective defence system to contain Soviet and Chinese expansion
Nations newly independent from colonial role enticed, economic, technological and military aid line up with one superpower against another.
The Significance of the Consequences of the Failure to Hold Free Elections in Vietnam in 156
Neither Diem nor Ho was in the position in 154 to rule the whole of Viet. Both preferred their control of their respective areas before tackling the issue of reunification.
If elections weren't held the Viet had left behind large no's of arms and armaments hidden in the Sth
The Elections of 156 Were Not Held
Diem and US knew that Diem would lose, as Diem's regime was very unpopular
Led to growth of anti Diem activity in the Sth and gradual from the North
Led to US trying to save Diem's regime in the name of democracy
Key Feature The nature of Political, Social, Economic and Military Policies Within North and South Vietnam and their Consequences
Consolidation of regimes North and South
North Viet- Ho Chi Minh- President
Pham Van Dong- Prime Minister
South Viet- Bao Dai- Emperor
Diem- appointed Premier
Political Structure in The Democratic Republic of Vietnam
The Vietnam Workers Party est. a peoples democracy a tightly disciplined one party state.
President Ho Chi Minh
Prime Minister Pham Van Dong
Vietminh Leader Le Duan
Chairman National Assembly Truong Chinh
Minster Of Defence Vo Nguyen Giap
Negotiator for Central Committee Le Duc Tho
This collective leadership gave continuity and stability.
North Vietnam Overview
Thousands flee to the South-Buddhist, Catholics, Wealthy, and Intellectuals
Implementation of Communism was very brutal 154-57 most destructive
Ho admits mistakes and implements new policies
160 Nth Viet changed from famine- fastest growing economy in SEA
Economic Policy in the DRV
Land reform
Sth Viet produced a surplus of rice
Irrigation fields damaged by years of war-many who went south were trained technicians
DRV lowest per capita production of rice in Asia
Over enthusiastic revolutionaries confiscated land with violence and terror and sought to meet quotas sat for each region, injustice was done and innocent people died
Peasant revolt when officials were demoted, and Ho apologies to the nation.
Rectification campaign Govt resumed its socialist policies 160 power of the landed gentry was broken.
Industry
Former French coal, cement and textile industries nationalized.
Middle classes left to run smaller firms Govt regulated pay rates, prices, quantities produced, sources of raw materials and marketing
Aid from China, USSR Eastern Europe develop heavy industrial base
State Planning controlled the economy-yr plans, 5yr plans
Transport doubled, skilled training and education opportunities increased
Women part of labour force and of the army
The Army
From 157 Giap expanded and modernized the army, equipping it with Russian and Chinese weapons
Est. commando forces, tank corps political indoctrination was considered as important as weapon training.
From 157 conscription again authorized, ranks were introduced and personnel began to receive pay
Diem
Leader of South Vietnam from 154-16
Conservative and a staunch catholic
Vehemently anti com and anti French
US backed Diem considered the only one to resist the spread of communism
Diem's Repressive Rule
Faced many problems, South Vietnam lacked any sense of unity
The people had been faced with almost 15yrs of war
He had to consolidate his power and he had to solve the problems of war torn South Vietnam
Methods Used By Diem To Consolidate His Regime
Uses Relatives (nepotism)
Appointed own members of his family- prominent Govt positions
Relatives were corrupt, became wealthy and had incredible power
Uses Loyal Friends/ Colleagues
Appoints friends in positions of power
Appoints only loyal men to lead army, uses bribery appointment based on loyalty not talent
Attempts To Destroy Factions
Govt. only controlled Saigon and other major cities; Rest of the country was under control of the Vietminh, bandits or private armies of a no. Of factions
155 Diem confronted and crushed the largest factions, which were against him.
155 the Denunciation Campaign
Main aim to destroy Vietminh who still controlled much of the countryside and many of the provincial capitals
Peasants encouraged to denounce anyone who
Had fought Vs the Fr
Had a relative resistance
Was sympathetic to the VM
Many peasants protect themselves by denouncing neighbors
Approx 0% VM cells destroyed or sent underground
Strict and Brutal Security
Used to reinforce Diem's control-did not feel like he had to cultivate popular appeal
Characteristics of Diem's Repressive Regime
No opposition to Diem's regime allowed
One party state led by an oligarchy
Gives important positions to family and loyal friends
Favours Catholic minority-top jobs-army and Govt
Land redistribution
Enforces strict and brutal security measures to reinforce his control Sth Viet
Strict censorship of domestic press and attempts to censor international press
Public meetings banned
Willing to accept US aid but not advice
RESULTS
Diem's control struggle Vs factionalism= reconstruction and industrialisation of South Vietnam
154-16 Diem managed to alienate virtually all-non-catholic groups in South Vietnam
157 VC starts to rebuild Guerilla warfare increases and assassination campaign
A Succession of Governments in South Vietnam
The rotation of governments with conspiracies and coups by unknown and unqualified leaders was to leave the USA with no valid or credible administration to support
America looking for a ruthless leader who could rival Ho Chi Minh.
Key Feature Nature and Consequences of Infiltration from North to South Vietnam
The situation Deteriorates War Begins
156 Diem refuses to hold the reunification elections
Reasons 1. Had not signed Geneva Accords-not bound by them
. Conditions in the NTH would not allow fro free and fair elections to be held
. Probable that he and the USA thought the communists would win
Nth Viet view refusal as Diem US conspiracy
Nth had hidden caches of arms and ammunition + 10 000 cadres who had remained behind in the Sth after Geneva. Many in the Sth had supported the Vietminh because they were nationalist and anti-French. They now support the VC
With Nth approval VC start assassination campaign Vs govt officials. 15-161 assassinations rose from 100 to 4000 per year.
March 158 Pham Van Dong made proposals to the Sth for troop reductions and trade relations but Diem refused to discuss any such steps towards reunification.
Guerilla warfare increased and VC attack ARVN (sth Viet army) outpost in 15
THE NLF DEC 160 Nth created the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam.
Peasant workers, intellectuals, Buddhists, legal political parties, Montagnards, women and radical revolutionaries.
The NLF served purposes
1. Allowed non communists to join the insurgency without having to be members of the communist party
. It allowed the Communist leaders in the Nth to unobtrusively direct the war
The NLF meant that initiative to re-unify the two Vietnams came from the South
THE NLF DEMANDED
Democratic freedom
Land to the tiller
Independence from imperialist domination
Peaceful unification with North Vietnam
NLF groups were encouraged to be self-sufficient economically and militarily and to use family connections to infiltrate hostile villages
The greatest weapon of the NLF in mobilizing support was the promise of land reform.
Villagers involved in sabotage or assassination squads formed paramilitary units, regular soldiers formed military units.
The creation of the NLF increased the momentum of the conflict. The Nth increased its control over the NLF in 161 and the war = intensified
1 January 16 Hanoi openly announced the formation of the Liberation Armed Forces
Diem called the NLF the Vietcong.
Le Duan General Secretary of Vietminh his single-minded struggle to unify the two Vietnamese and his role as intermediary remained shadowy and secret.
The ten men Politburo of the Vietminh divided the South into five zones and a special Saigon zone.
The Peoples Revolutionary Party took over non-communist groups and infiltrated every section of society.
What began, as a political struggle now became an armed struggle or insurgency? The aim was to bring about the fall of Diem's Government and to create conditions for a general communist uprising.
161 NLF controlled most of the countryside at night and about / during the day. 4000 Govt officials, village headmen and teachers were selectively assassinated.
The Relationship Between the North and the Southern Insurgents (VC) and the Nature of the Insurgency
The 150's
Many communists' cells either remained in the South or went first to the north to receive further training and political instructions and then returned to the south.
Established themselves armed themselves for the struggle
The Vietcong were very difficult to detect and combat. They were indistinguishable from the peasant population among whom they hid some were even government officials.
157 17 major insurgents each unit had 50-00men. Equipped with normal infantry weapons. The main support for the insurgents came from the dissident remnants of the private armies of the sects.
The Nth (DRV) reluctant to engage in armed struggle or to provoke the sponsor of Diem's Government the USA.
Wanted to consolidate their regime and preferred a political solution
The 160's
Third national Congress of the Vietnam Workers Party in the North approved armed struggle. Believe that its regime could afford to divert the resources needed to support a war of national liberation.
To direct the war COSVN the central Office for South Vietnam was EST. Party Politburo orders came from Giap. Weapons came south along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
The opening of the Ho Chi Minh Trail supply route through Laos and Cambodia helped the new phase of the war involving the North. The communists used the HCM trail as their main supply route.
The creation of the NLF increased the momentum of the conflict as the NTH increased its control, the war intensified.
164 the VC posing a serious problem in the south.
1. The ability of the government of South Vietnam to defend itself against increasing northern incursions and insurgent activity was rapidly declining
. The communist were seeking South Vietnam's complete collapse.
This led to the massive increase in US involvement from 165. As US involvement increased so did membership of the NLF/VC
US involvement now meant escalation of the war and the use of ground troops. This meant that peasants previously untouched by war, were affected. They were bombed, their villages were searched and often destroyed, and their relatives were killed.
Concept of imperialism
Key Feature The Concepts of 'Containment' and the Domino Theory as Applied to Vietnam and Their Impact on US Policy Making
The US saw Sth Viet as important for containing communism
The Rollback Policy
US policy aims for Sth Viet set out 156. Sth Viet referred to as Free Viet.
Based on the following assumptions
Absolute belief in the domino theory
Belief that they had to support Diem no matter what
Belief that the Nth Viet backed by the Chinese army would invade the Sth. Hey did not believe that there would be south Viet communism involved in a guerilla war in order to bring about communism.
The last point meant that the US army, which took over the job of reorganising the Sth Viet Army, trained this army to deal with conventional warfare- not guerilla attacks.
This is incredibly significant.
THE COLD WAR AND VIETNAM
1. Cuban blockade 15
. Berlin Wall 161
. Cuban Missile crisis 16
Soviet Union foreign policy made a priority of supporting HCM and preventing American imperialism in Asia.
SIX PRESIDENTS
HARRY S. TRUMAN PRESIDENT 145-5
Containment March 147 Truman's Government formalized its policy of containment.
The Truman Doctrine undertook to support free peoples resisting armed minorities or outside pressures.
Formulated for communist subversion in post WWII Greece and Turkey
Applied to Indochina, Indonesia and Philippines
June 150 US aid stepped up
USA called for formation of a Vietnamese National Army in South Vietnam
DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER PRESIDENT 15-61
April 154 Eisenhower publicised the American Defence Chiefs Falling Domino Theory (150)
Argued the fall of Indochina would inevitable lead to the fall of other states in SEA
June 154 400 military advisory assistance group and 40CIA undercover men entered Saigon.
SEATO
Eisenhower's Govt formed SEATO SEPT 154
Gave aid to South Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan, Pakistan, Greece and Spain
January 155 South Vietnam brought into US dollar!
JOHN F. KENNEDY PRESIDENT 161-6
Increased US involvement in Vietnam
Became part of the Cold War confrontation
Aid was increased in Nov 161
Buddhist protests in South Vietnam Oct 16 Kennedy withdrew some aid
Became evident that the USA wanted to defeat communism much more than the Sth Viet govt did.
LYNDON B. JOHNSON PRESIDENT 16-68
Great Society Legislation, promised a national health care system, wider civil rights for blacks, housing development, school aid and war on poverty
The war expanded, bombing of the North began, US troops were sent in.
Vietnam had destroyed Johnson's presidency
RICHARD M. NIXON PRESIDENT 168-74
Brought the involvement in Vietnam to an end, his administration was responsible for war spreading into Cambodia.
GERALD FORD PRESIDENT 174-75
Declared the Indochina war finished April 175
Key Feature The nature and impact of growing US intervention in Indochina for the US, the peoples of Indochina, and the immediate region
The Americans saw Vietnam as an important element in their policy of containing Communism.
Massive US Economic Aid
Gave Diem free rein
161 he had set up a clearly totalitarian regime
Diem accepted the US dollar but generally rejected the advice
Much of the aid was channeled into the military and security forces.
It is most unlikely that the RVN and Diem would have survived without this massive US aid that had been given to the STH since 15.
Kennedy's Dilemma the Cold War Context
He had to prove his credentials as a Cold War warrior
Cold war tensions increased, He saw Vietnam purely in terms of the global war of communism Vs Democratic
Vietnam was to be one place where Kennedy could restore US credibility
He had no concept of the importance of civilian support for guerilla warfare
Huge Increase in US Military Advisers Under Kennedy
161 Diem requested additional military support from the US. Halted at first but was concerned with the image.
Kennedy requested that Diem share the economic, political and military decisions making with the US, but this request was ignored
Showed the peasantry how to provide greater hygiene, agriculture and education.
The aim to increase the support of the villagers for the RVN
The strategic Hamlet program was introduced with US advisors assisting the RVN
The increase in advisors was kept secret because it was outside decisions made at Geneva.
Secrecy and escalation to protect US credibility
The VC not the RVN continued to gain support of the villagers.
The VC were seen as Viet fighting for Viet independence
The Buddhist Revolt
Catholics were given the best GOVT jobs and top army positions and the best land.
While Buddhist had to take time off from their farming to dig ditches and build their own concentration camps
May 16 refused permission to display Buddhist flags or have meetings on the anniversary of Buddha's birthday.
Burn them-selves as public suicide.
President Kennedy greatly influenced by the suicides.
He looked for ways in which the US could withdraw from Vietnam.
US Political Involvement in South Vietnam Assassinations
1 Nov the coup began and troops began to move into Saigon, they called on Diem and Nhu to resign they refused. They escaped and were found in a Catholic Church. They were placed in an armored carrier and on the way back to the palace Diem was shot in the head and Nhu was stabbed to death.
A great amount of planning and thought went into the coup that removed Diem but neither the generals nor the Americans had given much thought to the type of government.
Plotting and personal intrigues became more important then the need to join together to save the country.
The Vietcong continued to increase its influence.
The Political Situation in the South Deteriorates
After the assassinations it is believed that Kennedy began looking for ways to get out of Viet.
There was a feeling that the US had become too involved in Vietnamese politics and that this had contributed to Diem's death.
In the next 0 months Sth Viet underwent 10 changes of Govt as the generals deposed each other.
By mid 164 the Viet Cong were launching attacks at positions only 10km from the centre of Saigon.
Summary The Situation Deteriorates into War
US Kennedy sends more aid, military equipment and advisers. US largely engage in anti-guerilla activity. He is concerned about international image of US VS Communism. He also requests Diem share economic, political and military decisions making with the US Request ignored
Late 161 US introduce defoliants and 16 the helicopter introduced to help war effort
16 Buddhist protests put down violently
Generals approach US re removal of Diem and his brother= collapse of support of regime on almost all levels
US GOVT gives tactic support coup occurs NOV
A revolutionary Military council was established with Gen Minh as chief of state.
164 was characterized by political instability, increasing insurgency and an increase in US commitment.
164/5 Sth Viet is on the verge of political and military collapse
President Johnson
Ideas on Vietnam were similar in a number of ways to those of Kennedy
The belief that the US could not withdraw, as this would be interpreted worldwide as a sign of weakness
The view that all communist countries were conspiring against the US
The lack of clear policy n how to defeat Communism and what would replace it
The attempt to defeat ideas (Communism, unity, nationalism, anti imperialism) with weapons.
164 the US realized that the VC controlled much of Sth Viet and that the North was steadily building up its infiltration of the South.
The US estimated that the communists would win by the end of 165
The Nth began sending troops down the Ho Chi Minh trial to build up the main force to administer its coup de grace.
Johnson's major problem during 164 was that he faced an election in NOV; he did not want to be seen using too much force in Vietnam.
Throughout 164 the Pentagon drew up plans to escalate the war by bombing Nth Vietnam and sending in US ground troops.
Trsek Reasons for US Escalation
After 10 yrs of training and military supplies and a large increase in the number of its troops, the army of South Vietnam had been unable to crush Vietcong and the few North Vietnamese forces in the south
Trsek believes that the Sth Vietnamese Govt could not be forced to carry out reforms by the US could have made its continued support contingent on a broadly based program of national social, economic and political reform.
The United States government had been trapped by its own rhetoric t had to go on
Gulf of Tonkin Incident and Resolution August 164
March 164 Pentagon refined plans for strategic bombing of North Vietnam in two phases
Retaliatory strikes against northern military bases
Intensified bombing of railways, roads, industrial complexes and training camps would follow guerilla sanctuaries in Laos and Cambodia.
Johnson's aides began drafting a Congressional Resolution.
Without such a resolution the strategic bombing under the US constitution would require a formal declaration of war. The draft resolution was ready by 5 May 164
Johnson approached Ho Chi Minh with promises of aid to build large hydro electricity schemes if North Vietnam withdrew assistance from the Vietcong
Johnson dreaded becoming the first US president to lose a war. Washington began seeking ways to take the war to North Vietnam.
The destroyer Northern patrol boas fired upon Maddox a ship in the Tonkin Gulf on August 164. The USA sent bombers to stand by at bases in Thailand August. Next day during a thunderstorm the Maddox and a second US ship C Turner Joy reported possible attempts to prevent their asserting freedom of the seas though no actual visual sighting was made.
US planes carried out retailtory bombing 5 August and Johnson appeared on national TV. " Take all necessary measures" to prevent further aggression.
Tonkin Gulf Resolution was passed in Congress by 88 votes to . 85% of the American population approved of the measures.
Key Feature The commitment of US and Australian ground troops and the social, political and military impact of their involvement for Indochina
The Commitment of Ground Troops
The Enclave Program- The US had approved the use of American troops in a defensive role to protect the bases from VC attack.
Their role was strictly defined and limited to defend the Danang airbases and its perimeter, NOT to engage in day-to-day action Vs the VC.
Westmoreland very quickly changed tactics to offensive rather than defensive and official policy endorsed a more active use of US troops.
It was estimated that at the end of 165 00'000 marines would be needed for the defence bases.
Rolling thunder was not deterring the North and that the South Vietnamese Govt was showing all signs of imminent collapse. If the US did not send troops and in large numbers South Vietnam would be lost.
May 156 US commander in Vietnam General William Westmoreland asked his president for 180'000 men to prevent South Vietnam from falling to the communist.
During 156 America's allies also began supplying forces when South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand joined the many flags program.
Escalation
During the next years the level of US troops in South Vietnam rose steadily.
America took over the war allocating the lesser role of protecting civilians and military installations to the South Vietnamese army while the Americans searched for and fought the enemy.
Within years the USA had transformed South Vietnam with roads, bridges, giant fuel depots and warehouses, helicopter pads, airfields, deep draught harbors, submarine cable links to Washington, clubs, snack bars, blue jeans, coke. By January 16 the peak of US Commitment there were 54000 service personnel in Sth Viet.
As the War dragged on voices in America and overseas grew in their condemnation of American involvement.
As the casualties' rose and the end came no closer an anti war movement began and grew in strength.
By the end of 167 Westmoreland was publicly stating that he thought victory was in view.
AUSTRALIA; S INVOLVEMNT IN VIETNAM 16-7
What led to Australia's participation?
Threats to Australian security seemed to increase with the 14 est. of the People's Republic of China and the 150 Korean War.
Australia would not openly oppose anti-colonialism or Asian nationalism, so emphasis was placed on the anti communist nature of foreign policy.
From 15 Australia gave aid to Indochina.
Feb 155 our Govt. signed SEATO undertaking to protect South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia if requested by the governments concerned.
Australian Involvement An Overview
Australia certainly wanted to help America in return for its own possible future security needs.
In Nov 161 The USA asked for Australian assistance in South Vietnam and the Sth Vietnamese Govt requested aid from Australia.
Anticipating the need to enlarge the armed forces for commitments in Malaya and Vietnam, the Australian Govt announced conscription by birthday ballot on 10 Nov 164.
Menzies announced on April 165 that Australia would be sending an infantry battalion to South Vietnam. "The takeover of South Vietnam would be a direct military threat to Australia and all the countries of South and South East Asia. It must be seen as a thrust by Communist China between the Indian and Pacific oceans.
The Nature of Australian Participation
The first battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment arrived in Vietnam in June 165 and was attached to the US forces in the defence of the Bien Hoa Base.
The Australian forces were engaged in clearing operations and in pacification and resettlement schemes.
After winning the election Harold Holt increased Australia's commitment to 600 personnel including RAAF and RAN units.
Australia's fiercest battle was at Long Tan 18 August 166.
With the uprisings of the January February 168 TeT offensive, Australian troops were engaged in not only restoring order in Phuoc Tuy but also in assisting the Americans to protect Bien Hoa and Long Binh.
A complex mixture of invasion by the Nth and uprisings within the towns and villages of the South confronted Australian forces.
The Australian Govt announced phased withdrawal in March 170.
The Team
10.5 years later they returned home Dec 17 under the Whitlam Govt
Conscription was then abolished
The Extent of Australia's Commitment?
Australias Commitment was miniscule compared with the massive American effort.
Height of their strength Australian men numbered 800.
The major Australian commitment was the Australian task Force between May 166 and Nov 171. Located in Phuoc Tuy province, Australian role was to gain control of the province and to deny the VC access to villagers.
The war became increasingly unpopular at home and a strong anti war movement began to voice its discontent.Please note that this sample paper on Conflict in Indo China is for your review only. In order to eliminate any of the plagiarism issues, it is highly recommended that you do not use it for you own writing purposes. In case you experience difficulties with writing a well structured and accurately composed paper on Conflict in Indo China, we are here to assist you. Your cheap custom college paper on Conflict in Indo China will be written from scratch, so you do not have to worry about its originality.
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