History Of The Vietnam War Quiz
Embark on an enlightening journey through one of the most tumultuous periods of the 20th century with our "History of the Vietnam War Quiz." This comprehensive quiz is designed to test your knowledge and deepen your understanding of the Vietnam War, from its origins in the aftermath of World War II to its far-reaching impacts on global politics and American society.
This quiz covers a wide array of topics, including the geopolitical tensions that led to the war, key military campaigns, significant battles like Dien Bien Phu and the Tet Offensive, and the complex international relations involving the United Read moreStates, Vietnam, China, and the Soviet Union. You'll also explore the domestic impact within the United States, including the anti-war movement, public opinion, and the effect on veterans returning home.
History Of The Vietnam War Questions and Answers
- 1.
What event marked the official beginning of the Vietnam War?
- A.
The signing of the Geneva Accords
- B.
The Gulf of Tonkin Incident
- C.
The attack by Vietminh forces on French garrisons in Hanoi
- D.
The Tet Offensive
Correct Answer
B. The Gulf of Tonkin IncidentExplanation
The event that marked the official beginning of the Vietnam War was the Gulf of Tonkin Incident. On August 2, 1964, the USS Maddox, a U.S. Navy destroyer, engaged in a sea battle with North Vietnamese torpedo boats in the Gulf of Tonkin. Two days later, on August 4, the U.S. Navy reported another unconfirmed attack on the USS Maddox and the USS Turner Joy. In response to these incidents, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson requested and received from Congress the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which authorized him to use conventional military force in Southeast Asia without a formal declaration of war. This resolution marked the official start of the Vietnam War, and the U.S. military soon began a sustained bombing campaign against North Vietnam, known as Operation Rolling Thunder, which lasted from 1965 to 1968.Rate this question:
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- 2.
The Vietnam war official begun in _____________ after Vietminh forces withdraw from Hanoi after attacking the French garrisons
- A.
1940
- B.
1941
- C.
1946
- D.
1955
Correct Answer
C. 1946Explanation
The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, began soon after World War II as a series of conflicts involving the French colonial forces, the Vietnamese nationalists, and various allies. The year 1946 marked a significant turning point when the Vietminh, led by Ho Chi Minh, launched an attack on French forces in Hanoi immediately after the end of World War II. This set the stage for the Indochina Wars and led to the long, complex conflict known as the Vietnam War. The war intensified significantly until the French withdrawal and the eventual division of Vietnam at the Geneva Conference in 1954.Rate this question:
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- 3.
President Harry Truman sign legislation granting _____________ million dollars in military aid to French for the war in Indochina.
- A.
10
- B.
12
- C.
15
- D.
30
Correct Answer
C. 15Explanation
President Harry Truman signed legislation granting 15 million dollars in military aid to the French for the war in Indochina. This aid was provided to support the French in their fight against communist forces in the region. The aid was seen as crucial in helping the French maintain their control over Indochina and prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. The decision to provide military aid reflected the United States' policy of containment during the Cold War, as they sought to prevent the spread of communism globally.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Battle of Dien Bien Phu begins in ____________.
- A.
1941
- B.
1943
- C.
1954
- D.
1955
Correct Answer
C. 1954Explanation
The Battle of Dien Bien Phu began in 1954. This battle was a major confrontation in the First Indochina War between the French Union's French Far East Expeditionary Corps and the Viet Minh communist-nationalist revolutionaries. The battle lasted for 56 days and resulted in a decisive victory for the Viet Minh, leading to the end of French involvement in Indochina and the subsequent division of Vietnam into North and South.Rate this question:
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- 5.
The Soviet Union wanted North Vietnam and __________ to be admitted into the United Nations as separate states.
- A.
South Vietnam
- B.
France
- C.
Indochina
- D.
United States
Correct Answer
A. South VietnamExplanation
The Soviet Union advocated for North Vietnam and South Vietnam to be admitted into the United Nations as separate states. This stance reflected the geopolitical context of the time, following the division of Vietnam into two distinct regions after the Geneva Accords in 1954. The split created North Vietnam, led by the communist government of Ho Chi Minh, and South Vietnam, under a more Western-aligned regime. The Soviet Union, a prominent player in the Cold War, supported the communist North Vietnam, while the United States backed South Vietnam. The Soviet proposal to admit both North and South Vietnam into the United Nations as separate states aligned with this division, acknowledging the political realities of the era.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Geneva conference of Laos begins in ___________.
- A.
1955
- B.
1959
- C.
1961
- D.
1972
Correct Answer
C. 1961Explanation
The Geneva Conference of Laos began in 1961, focusing on resolving the conflict in Laos, a Southeast Asian country involved in the broader context of the Indochina conflicts and the Vietnam War. The conference aimed to establish a neutral and independent Laos, seeking to end the civil war and reduce international tensions in the region. Attended by representatives from major world powers, including the United States, the Soviet Union, China, and France, the Geneva Conference led to the signing of the Geneva Agreements on Laos in 1962. These agreements intended to uphold the neutrality and sovereignty of Laos, but challenges persisted, contributing to ongoing instability during the Vietnam War era.Rate this question:
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- 7.
The Geneva accords on Laos were signed in ______________.
- A.
1954
- B.
1962
- C.
1968
- D.
1975
Correct Answer
B. 1962Explanation
The Geneva Accords on Laos were signed in 1962, following the Geneva Conference of Laos, which began in 1961. These accords aimed to establish a neutral and independent Laos, bringing an end to the ongoing civil conflict and reducing international tensions in the region. Representatives from major world powers, including the United States, the Soviet Union, China, and France, participated in the negotiations. The 1962 Geneva Accords laid the groundwork for a coalition government in Laos and a commitment to respecting its neutrality. Despite these agreements, Laos continued to experience internal strife and became entangled in the broader context of the Vietnam War, with its neutrality frequently violated.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Which United States President criticized Diem on television in 1963?
- A.
President Kennedy
- B.
President Eisenhower
- C.
President Reagon
- D.
President Nixon
Correct Answer
A. President KennedyExplanation
President John F. Kennedy publicly criticized South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem on television in 1963. Kennedy's administration had been providing support to the South Vietnamese government in its efforts against the communist North Vietnam and the Viet Cong insurgency. However, Diem's oppressive policies, particularly toward Buddhists, led to increasing unrest and protests in South Vietnam. Kennedy's televised criticism reflected the growing discontent within the U.S. administration regarding Diem's leadership and his inability or unwillingness to implement meaningful reforms. This criticism contributed to the broader context that led to Diem's overthrow and assassination later in 1963, an event that significantly impacted the trajectory of the Vietnam War and U.S. involvement in Vietnam.Rate this question:
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- 9.
The United States official participated in Vietnam when they _____________.
- A.
U.S. aircraft bombed North Vietnam
- B.
U.S. government troops take over Da Nang
- C.
U.S. government troops take over Hue
- D.
President Nixon delivers "silent majority" speech
Correct Answer
A. U.S. aircraft bombed North VietnamExplanation
The United States officially participated in the Vietnam War when U.S. aircraft bombed North Vietnam, specifically during the Gulf of Tonkin Incident in August 1964. This event led to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to use military force in Vietnam without a formal declaration of war. The resolution marked a significant escalation in U.S. involvement in Vietnam and opened the door for more extensive military operations, including the sustained bombing campaigns like Operation Rolling Thunder. While other events also signify U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, the bombing of North Vietnam was the pivotal action that formalized U.S. military participation.Rate this question:
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- 10.
The last of the U.S. troops leave Vietnam in _________.
- A.
1970
- B.
1972
- C.
1980
- D.
1985
Correct Answer
B. 1972Explanation
The correct answer is 1972 because it was the year when the last of the U.S. troops left Vietnam. This marked the end of direct U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War, which had started in the 1960s. The withdrawal of troops was part of the Nixon administration's policy of "Vietnamization," which aimed to transfer the responsibility of fighting the war to the South Vietnamese forces. The withdrawal of U.S. troops in 1972 eventually led to the fall of Saigon and the end of the war in 1975.Rate this question:
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Apr 22, 2024Quiz Edited by
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Jun 11, 2007Quiz Created by
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