The U.S. struggles against the Communist in Vietnam

1a) Were the armies finely balanced or was the balance strongly weighted to one side or the other?

In each category the armies were mostly very unbalanced, with the exception of Vietnamese support. For Vietnamese support they were pretty even because each army upset the people in one way and made them against the army and country. However, in the overall balance of the armies they were pretty even. This is true because the US army was strong in supplies, modern weapons, and tactics; but the North Vietnamese army were strong in tactics, moral, and patriotism. The soldiers would do anything for North Vietnam and that made the morals much higher than America because their tactics were called Guerilla, where they'd attack from the woods, when weakened, or when retreating which made the US soldiers have very low hopes of winning. The US soldiers wouldn't really do anything for their country, however they had modern technology in weapons, good supplies, and good tactics. The technology and supplies clearly overpassed the technology of the Vietnamese people. The US had weapons that woud destroy their farms and etcetera, some of which could burn through your skin.

1b) Which quality was most important in determining who won the war? Was one feature so important that being ahead in that area meant that other advantages or disadvantages did not matter?

I believe that the most important quality was patriotism in determing who won the war. This is true because it clealy worked to the advantage of the Vietnamese people; it decreased US morale, killed many US soldiers, and made many US soldiers fearful. No matter what area or feature was most prominent or most important in determing who won the war the other advantages and disadvantages did matter. There was an equal balance among both armies that includes every category. Not one army had more power over the other. Sure the US army had better weapons, but the Vietnamese army had high morale and wouldn't give up, making them hard to defeat.

The failure of the U.S. army to beat the Communist in Vietnam was the result of its own weaknesses and Viet Cong strengths.

2. Now write up your answer. Use this structure:
a. The U.S. weaknesses were low moral, poorish supplies, inneffective tactics, and low support from the Vietnamese people. The soldiers morale was really low because there was no hope that they could defeat the North Vietnamese people. They were afraid all the time that they would just pop out of nowhere from the woods and get killed. The tactics like bombing and search-and-destroy were ineffective. The bombing raids on the Minh trail just slowed everything down, but didn't stop the Vietnamese people from being supplied by China and USSR. Also, the search-and-destroy tactic didn't work because it made people become against the US, there become less and less support from the people. This happened because they didn't like the fact that they were detroying their homes and farmland.

b. At the same time, the Communist strengths were high morale, very good supplies, and effective tactics. The Vietnamese people would never give up no matter what. They would get right back to work in fixing the tracks on the railroad that sends them supplies after each bomb raid. Also, they were always being supplied by the Chinese and Soviets, two whole countries sending them supplies, basically supplies kept coming in and being replenished. Lastly, the Vietnamese had effective tactics, which reduced American morale and made them afraid.

c. The U.S. forces did have some successes. For example, the Tet Offensive in 1968. The North Vietnamese and communists captured 100 cities and some military bases, however the US and South Vietnamese were able to recapture them room by room. The North Vietnamese thought that the other Vietnamese people would stand up and join them, but they didn't. This event shows that America had a lot of support in South Vietnam and that they were able to overtake North Vietnamese or at least get them out of their area.

d. However, there were some major failures as well. Examples of these were, the bombing raids, the My Lai Massacre, chemical weapons, and search and destroy. The bombing raids just slowed the communists and Vietnamese from sending and receiving supplies. the My Lai Massacre turned a lot of American support against the war, many Vietnamese people turned against them, and the entire goal to kill the North Vietnamese soldiers wasn't even accomplished none of them were found or killed. Also, the chemical weapons turned many people against them, hurt many innocent civilians, and killed necessary crops. Lastly, the search and destroy method killed many innocent civilians, they weren't able to find many soldiers, and it destroyed people's homes, which turned some people against them.

e. The Viet Cong had some major successes, such as the Guerilla tactics and decreasing US morale. The Guerilla tactics were effective because it caught Americans off-guard sometimes, and how they would attack stronger once the Americans were weakened or were retreating killed many soldiers and made it highly effective. Also, the Guerilla tactics decreased US morale because they were so afraid at being attacked at any time and there was no hope that America would win the war. Lastly, the set-up of their "hide outs" was very effective because they were undergound with booby traps, and the way they dressed made them look like any other normal person or peasant, which made it hard for the Americans to tell the difference.

f. However, they also suffered defeats, for example: the bombing raids and technology. The bombing raids detroyed many villages and made them have to work more and harder. The villages became hard to live in and having to work more made them tired and a little more weak. Also, technology was a huge defeat because the US had weapons that could destroy farmland and burn through your skin, while the Vietnamese had nothing like that. The Vietnamese also didn't have as high standard as the Americans, the American weapons were much more modern than the weapons the Vietnamese people had.

g. If I had to identify one major American weakness, it would be tactics because there tactics killed innocent civilians while they were supposed to kill the soldiers. This tactic, searh-and-destroy and chemical weapons, were supposed to kill the soldiers but they weren't, so they weren't really killing any soldiers in these tactics. However, a lot more soldiers were killed in the bombing raids. Also, the tactics did not reduce morale among the soldiers, while the American's morale was greatly reduced by Vietnamese tactics. This is really important because it made a huge difference, the Vietnamese thought they were unstoppable while the Americans were shaking in their boots. A scared soldier wouldn't perform as well as a confident soldier.

h. The key Viet Cong strength was tactics because it reduced the morale of the Americans immensely and killed some soldiers. However, reducing morale was greatly effective because the Guerilla warfare scared many America soldiers and gave them no hope of winning. While on the other hand the Vietnamese were confident and believed that they could win. Guerilla warfare didn't kill as many soldiers as the Americans killed, it was still hugely effective. A soldier will not perform as well if he or she has no hope compared to a soldier who is confident and believes that they will win the war.

The U.S. Enters the Vietnam War

1. Many neutral observers in Vietnam were critical of US policy. Explain why.

Many neutral observers in Vietnam were critical of US policy because the leader the American government supported, Ngo Dinh Diem, was strongly against communism and would exile any communist. Also, Diem was very disrespectful of the Budhist religion, which most of the peasants of Vietnam were Budhists. Since he was disrespectful of Budhism there were protests like in Source 33 where a Budhist priest lit himself on fire, they protested against the attacks the government made against the Budhist shrines. However, the United States continued to support him, like sending him over a billion dollars, until he was thrown out by his own army leaders. Unfortunately the government remained corrupt, but America still supported it because they were afraid of Ho Chi Minh coming into reign who is communists. Overall, the neural observers in Vietnam did not like what the United States was doing, they were intimidated, discriminated against, and faced a lot of violence. This lead to the people seeking liberation from the South, they became strong supporters of communism and Ho Chi Mihn.

2. Explain how US politicians would have defended their policies.

The US politicians would have defended their policies by saying that they were trying to contain communism and they didn't know of any one who was better than Ngo Dinh Diem. The US went to Diem because they knew he was strongly anti-communists and would kick out any communist from the country. They supported him immensely because the United States was desperate to keep communism from spreading. They believed in this "Domino effect" where they thought that the Soviets would just go from one country to another and spread communism, like one after another in dominoes. If the United States had known a better leader they probably would have supported that person than Diem, but this is just what they said and we don't know if they would have done that for sure.

3. The following events are not listed in correct date order. Place them in the correct chronological order. (Write the year inside the parenthesis, i.e. (1965). Then note the reason for each U.S. action, and how it brought the U.S. into deeper involvement in Vietnam.
The reasons you can choose from are: No direct involvement; financial support; political involvement; military involvement. Also, note what events triggered the increased involvement.

(1954) U.S. stops elections in Vietnam, reason: political involvement because Mihn was getting help from China and afraid of Vietnam becoming communist. To keep the 'no elections' going America had to stay there and make sure that Vietnam wasn't turning communist.
(1955) Formation of South Vietnam, reason: political involvement and financial support because again Mihn was anti-communist, would throw out any communist from the country, and US didn't want a communist leader and government in Vietnam. Brought America deeper becaues they had to continue to fund and support Mihn, which made them stay in Vietnam.
(1960) Viet Cong formed, reason: no direct involvement. Brought America deeper because they saw that VIetnam was turning communist.
(1960-1962) Viet Cong attacks on U.S. and South Vietnam bases, reason: no direct involvement. This action made by Viet Cong made America have to fight back and become militarily involved, which brought America deeper into the conflict because now they were basically fighting against them and about to get into a war.
(1962) JFK sends military advisers, reason: military involvement. The Viet Cong were attacking and the 'advisers' were there to fight back, which definitely brought America deeper into conflict because now they were fighting against some of the people.
(1962) Number of 'advisers' reaches over 11,500, reason: military involvement and political involvement. This was triggered by the Viet Cong air base incidenct and the attacks that they were making. President Kennedy sent more troops to fight against the Viet Cong and to 'contain' communism, or keep communism from spreading.
(1963) U.S. supports South Vietnam government after army overthrow Diem, reason: no direct involvement. However, the U.S. continued to support them because they were still anti-communists, which brought America deeper into conflict because they were still trying to contain communism and were still supporting them.
(1963) Assassination of JFK-Johnson becomes president, reason: no direct involvement, this isn't related to Vietnam but there was an affect. Once Johnson became president he declares war or starts a war in Vietnam, which immensely puts America deeper in conflict but now they are actually in the conflict.
(1964) Gulf of Tonkin Incident, reason: military involvement, the Vietnamese fired first but this made Congress angry and quickly passed the Tonkin Gulf Resolution which gave all the decision making on what to do next militarily to Johnson. This brought America deeper into conflict because now America was really fighting back.
(1965) U.S. Marines land at Da Nang, reason: military involvement, this was the start of the Vietnam War. It was ignited after the Vietnamese fired on America in the Gulf of Tonkin, and this was the deepest America could go into the conflict because now they were actually in the conflict.

4. Choose two events that you think were critical in getting the U.S. involved in a war in Vietnam. Explain
your choice.

One event that lead to the U.S. getting involved in the Vietnam war was supporting Diem. When Diem was in reign there were serious protests and the U.S. didn't do anything, they just wanted to keep communism out. However, Diem and the support for Diem lead to Viet Cong and most of the people turning to Mihn and communism. After this there was no going back for America, they were too determined to keep communism out. Another evvent that lead the U.S. into getting involved din the Vietnam war was the Gulf of Tonkin incident. After this it set America off, they were determined to get rid of the pro-communists Viet Cong and Congress quickyl passed the Gulf Tonkin Resolution. This resolution gave of military power to President Johnson where obviously he would start a war with Vietnam, and he did. President Johnson sent troops to Da Nang which officially started the war.

The Cuban Missile Crisis

1. Kennedy described Wednesday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 27 as the darkest days of the crisis. Use the information on page 350 to explain why.

Wednesday, October 24 was one of the darkest days of the crisis because the Soviet Union ships that painstakingly close to the blockade zone stopped or turned around right before it. The ships kept coming at first and Kennedy might have thought that the Soviet Union was going to attack them and start the war or even use their nuclear weapons on them. Also, the ships tha stopped probably caused a lot of stress and anxiety because he didn't know if they were going to attack them or just turn around or stay there. The atmosphere was intense that day for Kennedy because he didn't know what the Soviets were going to do. October 27th was another one of the darkest days because one he decides to remove his missiles from Turkey making the United States a little more vulnerable and a U-2 plane is shot down. The missiles that he agreed to take away definitely left America a little more vulnerable and this probably made Kennedy uneasy. More importantly, a U-2 plane was shot down over Cuba and the pilot was killed, which made Kennedy believe that the Soviet Union was going to attack. Also, Kennedy almost attacked the Soviet Union after the U-2 incident, however he delayed the attack. The delayed attack probably was the closest point at which the United States almost started a war against the Soviet Union. This probably made Kennedy very stressed and possibly scared as to what the Soviet Union might do next or what could have happened if he didn't delay the attack.

2. Do you think that nuclear war was ever a possibility in this crisis?

I believe that both sides were too afraid to send the first nuclear bomb, which makes me believe that a nuclear war wasn't a possibility. Both sides were too afraid of the consequences of sending a nuclear bomb to the other side. There might've been a close call of a nuclear war but I don't think either said would have ever gone through with it.

3. Is Source 26 a Soviet or an American cartoon? Explain your answer by referring to the details in the cartoon.

I believe that Source 26 is a Soviet cartoon. In the cartoon Khrushchev is sweating, which indicates that he is working hard and having trouble. He is trying a lot harder than JFK because JFK is not sweating so USSR is working a lot harder. Also, they are having an arm wrestle, where again Khrushchev is sweating and working harder. It also shows that JFK (or the United States) and Khrushchev (or the Soviet Union) are fighting against each other. In the arm wrestle neither person is moving, at least their hands and arms, which shows that each person is afraid to make the first major move or waiting for an element of surprise. Since neither person is moving it also shows that each of them are working just as hard but are handling it differently. The two players are sitting on a nuclear bomb, so essentially the one to make the first move would set off the bomb towards the other person, triggering the start of a war. The cartoon puts America in a bad viewpoint because it shows Khrushchev struggling which could make the Soviets angry and more willing to fight harder. Since the cartoon does this I believe that it is a Soviet cartoon trying to make the Soviets want to fight harder.

4. Using Source 27 list any evidence you can find for and against each of the explanations.

I. To Bargain with the USA
A. For
1. The Cuban Missile crisis did lead to bargaining between USA and USSR
a. Khrushchev wanted missiles taken out of Turkey and USA wanted missiles taken out of Cuba
2. Khrushchev never fought or made an attack against USA
a. showing that the Soviets didn't want to fight with America and would rather compromise and talk
B. Against
1. The Soviets had lied about having missiles on Cuba
a. showing that they were possibly ready to fight or planned a sneak attack
II. To Test the USA
A. For
1. The Soviet Union continued to push the United States' buttons
a. the ships kept going towards Cuba until they were extremely close
b. At first Khrushchev didn't agree to take out their missiles as Kennedy had asked
c. By putting the missiles there in the first place pushed America's buttons because they didn't know what the Soviets were going to do
B. Against
1. The Soviets never really did anything extreme, they just did little things.
III. To Trap the USA
A. For
1. Cuba is very close to America making it easier and quicker to send missiles to America and cover more area
B. Against
1. That was the only place where the Soviet Union had missiles besides USSR
a. The USA was never surrounded or 'trapped'
IV. To Get the Upper Hand in the Arms Race
A. For
1. the Soviet Union was already outnumbered with nuclear weapons
a. USA had nukes in America and in Eastern Europe, whiled USSR only had nukes in homeland
b. by putting them so close to America it made America fearful and possibly making them willing to succumb to the Soviet Union
B. Against
1. The Soviet Union never really outnumbered America in the amount of nukes they had
a. they were still pretty dead even with the amount of nukes they had
V. To Defend Cuba
A. For
1. Cuba became a Soviet ally
a. they became a communist state which made the Soviet Union almost have to defend or protect Cuba from attack
I. in order to spread communism they would have to protect Cuba from American influence and control
B. Against
1. If they were there to spread communism why did they need nuclear weapons?
a. nuclear weapons were over-the-top to just protect Cuba
2. Cuba and USSR never really signed a pact or anything so how do we know if they were allies or not
a. if they were allies it seems normal to protect them, but there was no pact or anything
3. How do we know if USSR was just using Cuba to get closer to America and make an easier surprise attack
a. they could've just taken advantage of Cuba seeing that they had turned communist and therefore making it safer for them to be there and etcetera.

5. Choose the explanation(s) that you think best fit what you have found out about the crisis. Explain your choice.

I think that the Soviet Union placed nuclear missiles on Cuba to be able to bargain with the USA and to test the USA. The missiles that were placed on Cuba ultimately did this. During the time where missiles were on Cuba Khrushchev and Kennedy did end up conversing and bargaining. Kennedy said he would take the missiles out of Turkey as long as Khrushchev took the missiles out of Cuba. Also, the USSR never made an attack or anything on the United States, which goes to show that they were not ready or willing to fight. The Soviets wanted to talk and bargain first before making an attack on the United States. The missiles on Cuba had also tested the United States, which could be another possibility on why the Soviets had put missiles on Cuba in the first place. The Soviet Union never really did anything in Cuba besides put missiles and make bases on there, they never really spoke or attacked America. Although, a U-2 plane was taken down and the pilot was shot, which happened because America saw that the USSR was putting missiles on Cuba, but this was all that America did. USSR just waited for some first attack or something, but when the U-2 plane was shot down it was another test on America. However, there is no indication on who shot the plane down, America might have assumed that it was the Soviet Union and if it was then they would have been waiting to see if America would attack back or begin a war. Finally, until America clearly was not going to attack the Soviet Union took away the missiles, which showed to the Soviets that America was not going to make a first move to start a war where the Soviet Union was probably hoping for.

The U.S. Attempts to Contain Cuba

1. Why was Cuba so important to the United States?

Cuba was so important to the United States because America owned most of the business there, there was a U.S. naval base, and it is 160 km away from the tip of Florida. If the Soviet Union or communism were to take over Cuba than most likely America would lose it's business there. Also, America would lose a lot of profit from Cuba if it were to lose business. The U.S. naval base was key for America in their placement in the world; Cuba is in-between America and South and Central America making the naval base key in keeping in touch and having close contact with South and Central America. The U.S. naval base in Cuba is also good placement because America could reach another country in South or Central America much easier than if it was in America somewhere. Since Cuba is only 160 km it really is a perfect spot, as I said before. As one can see, Cuba was so important to the United States because it was so close, America owned most of the business there, and there was already a U.S. naval base there.

2. Why do you think the Americans chose to equip Cuban exiles rather than invading themselves?

I believe that the Americans chose to equip Cuban exiles rather than invading themselves because they thought that it would be more powerful and possibly easier for Cuba to succumb to them and if the Soviet Union were to accuse America for attacking an ally America could deny it. If the exiles were to attack Cuba there could be a stronger possibility that they could win, the exiled persons could be so filled up with anger and revenge that they would be unstoppable. Also, there could have been a possibility that Castro would be sympathetic towards the exiled persons and would easily succumb to them. Lastly, if the Soviet Union were to accuse America of attacking one of their allies, America could deny it because technically Americans were not involved in the fighting. Cuban exiles did all the fighting and attacked Cuba, the Soviet Union probably would not be able to provide any proof of America influencing the Cuban exiles.

3. Why did the invasion fail?

The invasion failed because when the Cuban exiles entered Cuba through the Bay of Pigs they were met by 20,000 Cuban troops armed with tanks and more. With far more people and better weapons Castro was easily able to defeat and kill all of the exiled persons within a few days. The invasion failed because the soldiers were not equiped with sufficient weaponry, were not as trained as the others, and were greatly outnumbered.

4. Compare Source 17 on page 345 (in the Arms Race.pdf reading) with Source 24 on page 348. Describe how the Soviet Union missiles on Cuba changed the Cold War balance of power.

In Source 17 in the Arms Race.pdf there are both long range and short range nuclear weapons that America owns. The short range weapons are in NATO European countries where they are much closer to the Soviet Union and will get to the Soviet Union much quicker. In Source 24 in the Cuban Missile Crisis.pdf the Soviet Union now how nuclear weapons in Cuba where it's much easier and quicker to reach the United States and more possible places to strike the United States. The Cold War power became almost equal, the Soviet Union got more power with the missiles in Cuba. America used to have the only short range nuclear weapons that threatened the USSR, but now the Soviets had weapons where they could easily attack the United States and greatly threatened them. Also, there would be more areas in the United States where the missiles could hit which would make more damage. In summary, after the Soviet Union put missiles in Cuba the balance of power during the Cold War greatly shifted to the Soviet Union.