1. What European country controlled (ruled) Vietnam before, during and immediately following World War II?
Before World War II Vietnam, at the time it was called Indochina, was controlled by France. During World War II Vietnam was conquered and ruled by the Japanese. At the end of World War II Vietnam was controlled by Vit Minh, the Vietnamese Communist Party.
2. Who led the Viet Minh (anti-Japanese resistance group)?
The Viet Minh was controlled by Ho Chi Minh.
3. Which country helped France keep Vietnam and why?
The United States helped the French in trying to take Vietnam back because the Viet Minh was supported by the Chinese Communist and the Viet Minh were puppets of Mao Zedong.
4. What is the Domino Theory?
The Domino Theory was a theory created by President Eisenhower and his Secretary of State JF Dulles that China and the USSR were planning to spread Communism throughout Asia. There way of spreading communism through Asia was by getting one country at a time to turn communist and they will eventually all fall to communism 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?
The United States helped put Ngo Ding Diem into power as the leader of the Republic of South Vietnam because he was bitterly anti-communist and wanted to imprison and or exile the communists.
6. What was the Ho Chi Minh Trail? How was it used?
The Ho Chi Minh trail was a trail that ran through North and South Vietnam. It was used by the Viet Cong to send reinforcements and supplies to the guerrilla fighters that were attacking the South Vietnamese government forces.
7. What was the Tonkin Gulf Resolution? What powers did it give President Johnson?
The Tonkin Gulf Resolution was a resolution that gave President Johnson the power to 'take all necessary measures to prevent further aggression and achieve peace and security' in Vietnam. This Resolution was passed by the US Congress in reaction to the North Vietnamese patrol boats opening fire on US ships in the Gulf of Tonkin.
8. Look at the timeline on page 256. Why is 1965 considered a "turning point" year for American involvement in Vietnam?
It is considered a 'turning point' for America because before 1965 the United States was holding back because they did not want to get into a full on war with Vietnam. But in 1965 the United States decided to go on a full on war with Vietnam so they started getting the upper hand in the war since they were using all their war tactics inside of just sending in military 'advisers.'
9. Why, according to Source 3 on page 255, were U.S. troops put into a difficult position in Vietnam?
The U.S troops were put in a difficult position because in attempt to help the people in South Vietnam and to win over the people in Vietnam they were trying to give them money but this just caused the peasants to turn into Vietcong sympathizers.
