America Enters the Vietnam Conflict

1. What European country controlled (ruled) Vietnam before, during and immediately following World War II?      
The country that controlled Vietnam before World War II was France.
The country that controlled Vietnam during World War II was Japan
The country that controlled Vietnam immediately following World War II was China through the Viet Minh


2. Who led the Viet Minh (anti-Japanese resistance group)?       
The Viet Minh, an anti-Japanese resistance group, was lead by Communist Ho Chi Minh


3. Which country helped France keep Vietnam and why?       
The country that helped France keep Vietnam was the United States of America because they saw the Viet Minh as puppets controlled by Mao and the Chinese Communists.


4. What is the Domino Theory?       
The Domino Theory was a theory that China and the USSR were trying to turn all of Asia into communists and if they made Vietnam Communist, then other Asian countries near it would fall to Communist just like a row of dominoes.



5. In 1955 the United States installed this man as the leader of the Republic of South Vietnam. Who was he and why was he placed into power?           
In 1955, the Unites States installed Ngo Dinh Diem as the leader of the Republic of South Vietnam. He was extremely anti-Communism and the Americans wanted to stop the spread of Communism.


6. What was the Ho Chi Minh Trail? How was it used?           
The Ho Chi Minh Trail was a trail that spanned both  North and South Korea and was used by the Viet Cong to send supplies and reinforcements to guerrilla fighters.  



7. What was the Tonkin Gulf Resolution? What powers did it give President Johnson? 
The Tonking Gulf Resolution was a resolution that was passed after North Korean opened fire on American ships in the Gulf of Tonkin in, August 1964. The resolution gave President Johnson the power to do whatever it takes to achieve peace and prevent further aggression, which would enable him to quickly enter a full scale war.


8. Look at the timeline on page 256. Why is 1965 considered a "turning point" year for American involvement in Vietnam?               
The year 1965 is considered a turning point year for American involvement in Vietnam because the Americans started actually getting in on the action. They heavily bombed the North Koreans and had actual troops enter. 


9. Why, according to Source 3 on page 255, were U.S. troops put into a difficult position in Vietnam?        
The source says that U.S. troops were put in a difficult position in Vietnam because the peasants were becoming Viet Cong sympathizers because they were angry with corrupt officials so they were working without pay to set up traps.