Vietnam EscALATion And Tet
This is a quiz that focuses on the Second Indochina war from 65 to 69
- 1.
By what other name was Vietnamisation known?
- A.
Escalation
- B.
COSVN
- C.
MACV
- D.
The Nixon Doctrine
Correct Answer
D. The Nixon DoctrineExplanation
Vietnamisation was a policy introduced by President Richard Nixon in the United States during the Vietnam War. It aimed to shift the responsibility for the fighting to the South Vietnamese forces and gradually withdraw American troops from Vietnam. The Nixon Doctrine refers to this policy and is another name for Vietnamisation.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Who replaced General Harkins in 1964 as the head of the MACV?
- A.
General Ted Serong
- B.
General Giap
- C.
General Ulysses S Grant
- D.
General Westmoreland
Correct Answer
D. General WestmorelandExplanation
General Westmoreland replaced General Harkins in 1964 as the head of the MACV.Rate this question:
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- 3.
During what years did Operation Rolling Thunder function?
- A.
1964 to 1968
- B.
1969 to 1972
- C.
1962 to 1965
- D.
1968 to 1969
Correct Answer
A. 1964 to 1968Explanation
Operation Rolling Thunder functioned from 1964 to 1968. This military campaign was conducted by the United States during the Vietnam War, with the aim of putting pressure on North Vietnam to cease its support for the Viet Cong. It involved sustained aerial bombardment and was one of the longest and most intense air campaigns in history. The operation ultimately failed to achieve its objectives and was halted in 1968.Rate this question:
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- 4.
What is Tet?
- A.
The Chinese New Year
- B.
The Vietnamese National Celebration
- C.
The Vietnamese New Year
- D.
The Vietnamese version of Yom Kippur
Correct Answer
C. The Vietnamese New YearExplanation
The correct answer is The Vietnamese New Year. Tet is the most important and widely celebrated holiday in Vietnam, marking the beginning of the lunar calendar year. It is a time for family reunions, paying respects to ancestors, and wishing for good luck and prosperity in the coming year. The celebration typically includes various customs and traditions such as cleaning the house, decorating with flowers, giving and receiving lucky money, and enjoying special foods.Rate this question:
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- 5.
How many Vietnamese civilians were massacred by the Viet Cong in Hue during the Tet Offensive
- A.
Between 2000 and 6000.
- B.
Between 500 and 1000
- C.
Between 50 and 500
- D.
Between 1000 to 2000
Correct Answer
A. Between 2000 and 6000.Explanation
During the Tet Offensive, the Viet Cong carried out a brutal massacre of Vietnamese civilians in Hue. The correct answer is "Between 2000 and 6000" as this range represents the estimated number of civilians who were killed during the offensive.Rate this question:
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- 6.
MACV estimates were that the communist dead in 1968 totalled
- A.
180,000
- B.
100,000
- C.
1 Million
- D.
15000
Correct Answer
A. 180,000Explanation
The given answer of 180,000 is the estimate made by MACV (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam) for the total number of communist dead in 1968. This suggests that MACV believed that 180,000 members of the communist forces had been killed during that year.Rate this question:
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- 7.
The final phase of the Tet offensive in August 1968
- A.
Was a massive success for the communists
- B.
Only involved Northern Troops fighting for the communist cause
- C.
Ended the South's will to fight
- D.
Caused Robert MacNamara to renew his contract
Correct Answer
B. Only involved Northern Troops fighting for the communist causeExplanation
The correct answer is "Only involved Northern Troops fighting for the communist cause." This means that during the final phase of the Tet offensive in August 1968, only troops from the northern region of Vietnam, who were fighting for the communist cause, were involved. This suggests that the southern troops or forces from the South were not actively participating in this phase of the offensive.Rate this question:
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- 8.
How many phases were there in the Tet Offensive?
- A.
5
- B.
2
- C.
1
- D.
3
Correct Answer
D. 3Explanation
The Tet Offensive, which took place during the Vietnam War, consisted of three phases. The first phase began on January 30, 1968, with a series of coordinated attacks by the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces on various cities and military bases in South Vietnam. The second phase involved the continuation of these attacks throughout February and March, with the goal of capturing key cities and military installations. The third phase, which took place in May and June, saw a decrease in the intensity of the attacks as the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces suffered heavy casualties and were unable to achieve their objectives.Rate this question:
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- 9.
The Viet Cong in Saigon
- A.
Took over the entire city
- B.
Entered the US compound but didn't infiltrate the main building
- C.
Were killed to the last man
- D.
Stayed neutral during the offensive.
Correct Answer
B. Entered the US compound but didn't infiltrate the main buildingExplanation
The correct answer is "Entered the US compound but didn't infiltrate the main building." This means that the Viet Cong managed to enter the US compound in Saigon but did not successfully infiltrate the main building. This suggests that while they were able to breach the compound, they were unable to carry out any further attacks or gain control of the main building.Rate this question:
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- 10.
The communist headquarters in South Vietnam was
- A.
The Central Office for South Vietnam (COSVN),
- B.
Hosted off shore in Singapore
- C.
The MACV
- D.
The NLF
Correct Answer
A. The Central Office for South Vietnam (COSVN),Explanation
The correct answer is the Central Office for South Vietnam (COSVN). COSVN was the headquarters of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. It was located in South Vietnam and played a crucial role in coordinating military and political activities of the communist forces.Rate this question:
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- 11.
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, passed on August 7, 1964, allowed the President:
- A.
To launch air strikes without Congressional authority
- B.
To withdraw all advisers from South Vietnam without military authority.
- C.
To engage conventional military force in South Vietnam without a formal declaration of war
- D.
To launch air strikes against North Vietnamese targets with for mal warnings to the North Vietnamese.
Correct Answer
C. To engage conventional military force in South Vietnam without a formal declaration of warExplanation
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, passed in 1964, granted the President the authority to deploy conventional military force in South Vietnam without a formal declaration of war. This resolution was a response to the alleged attacks on US naval vessels in the Gulf of Tonkin by North Vietnamese forces. It effectively gave the President the power to escalate US involvement in the Vietnam War without seeking approval from Congress. This resolution played a significant role in expanding US military operations in Vietnam and ultimately led to a large-scale American presence in the conflict.Rate this question:
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- 12.
The Gulf of Tonkin incident involved two attacks on the USS Maddox:
- A.
The first one was genuine but the second was an alleged torpedo attack that probably did not take place and was the result of muddled reporting by radar operators.
- B.
That did not take place
- C.
By Chinese aircraft that convinced Johnson he had to escalate the American presence in South Vietnam into a conventional land presence.
- D.
That cost the US that ship and a further 4 patrol boats through the use of North Vietnamese torpedoes.
Correct Answer
A. The first one was genuine but the second was an alleged torpedo attack that probably did not take place and was the result of muddled reporting by radar operators.Explanation
The Gulf of Tonkin incident involved two attacks on the USS Maddox. The first attack was confirmed to be genuine, but the second attack was alleged and likely did not happen. It was believed to be a result of confusion and inaccurate reporting by radar operators. This incident played a significant role in convincing President Johnson to escalate the American presence in South Vietnam. However, it is important to note that the second attack, which supposedly involved North Vietnamese torpedoes, did result in the loss of the USS Maddox and four patrol boats.Rate this question:
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- 13.
When JF Kennedy said to New York Times James Reston in June 1961, after his meeting with Nikita Khruschev of the USSR, ", "Now we have a problem making our power credible and Vietnam looks like the place" , he was providing
- A.
A promise of combat troops to Ngo Dinh Diem
- B.
A promise that the US would escalate advisor numbers in the near future
- C.
A classic example of a super power viewing a local conflict as a cold war "proxy war".
- D.
A rationale for his support for a change of leader in South Vietnam from Diem to an alternative leader.
Correct Answer
C. A classic example of a super power viewing a local conflict as a cold war "proxy war".Explanation
In this statement, JF Kennedy is expressing his view that Vietnam could be a suitable location for the US to demonstrate its power and credibility during the Cold War. By referring to Vietnam as a "proxy war," Kennedy implies that the conflict in Vietnam is not just a local issue, but rather a battleground for the larger ideological struggle between the superpowers, the US and the USSR. This suggests that Kennedy saw Vietnam as an opportunity to assert US influence and counter Soviet influence in the region.Rate this question:
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- 14.
American forces rose from 16,000 during 1964 to more than ? by 1969.
- A.
338,000
- B.
176,444
- C.
553,000
- D.
765,000
Correct Answer
C. 553,000Explanation
The correct answer is 553,000. This is because the question states that American forces rose from 16,000 in 1964 to a higher number by 1969. Among the given options, 553,000 is the only number that is higher than 16,000 and fits the criteria of the question.Rate this question:
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- 15.
The following was an operation that lasted for 3 years and involved
- A.
A million sorties were flown and three-quarters of a million tons of bombs
- B.
A million sorties flown and a million tons of bombs dropped
- C.
An on-going major "search and destroy" mission on the border of Laos and Cambodia
- D.
The establishment of a viable government for South Vietnam amongst the Montgnard tribes.
Correct Answer
A. A million sorties were flown and three-quarters of a million tons of bombsExplanation
This answer accurately describes the operation that lasted for 3 years and involved a million sorties being flown and three-quarters of a million tons of bombs being dropped. It provides specific details about the scale and intensity of the operation, indicating the significant military effort undertaken during this time period.Rate this question:
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- 16.
Classical military logic demanded that the U.S. attack the power source of PAVN/NLF in the North. If that country could not be invaded, then the enemy's supply system in Laos and Cambodia should be cut by ground forces, isolating the southern battlefield. However, political considerations limited U.S. military actions, The major reason for the limitations were
- A.
An over optimistic and essentially racist view of the Vietnamese as sub standard fighters
- B.
An overestimation of the potency of the B 52 and the impact its devastaing bombing potential had
- C.
Escalation of the conflict into a superpower confrontation and the possibility of a nuclear exchange.
- D.
General Westmoreland's mental illness that stifled rational thought on how the war ought to be fought
Correct Answer
C. Escalation of the conflict into a superpower confrontation and the possibility of a nuclear exchange.Explanation
The correct answer is the escalation of the conflict into a superpower confrontation and the possibility of a nuclear exchange. This answer suggests that political considerations limited U.S. military actions in Vietnam due to the fear that the conflict could escalate into a larger confrontation between superpowers, such as the United States and the Soviet Union, potentially leading to a nuclear exchange. This fear of a catastrophic outcome likely influenced the decision to not fully attack the power source of PAVN/NLF in the North and instead focus on limiting the enemy's supply system in Laos and Cambodia.Rate this question:
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- 17.
Westmoreland's strategy for winning the war was
- A.
Attrition, or grinding the North down and forcing them to the negotiation table
- B.
Air power combined with search and destroy quick hits, plus naval infiltration on a large scale
- C.
Moving up the Ho Chi Minh Trail backwards
- D.
To create a model democracy in the south based on Strategic Hamlets
Correct Answer
A. Attrition, or grinding the North down and forcing them to the negotiation tableExplanation
Westmoreland's strategy for winning the war was attrition, which means wearing down the North Vietnamese forces through continuous engagement and causing them significant losses. This strategy aimed to decrease the enemy's morale, resources, and manpower, ultimately forcing them to the negotiation table. By employing this approach, Westmoreland believed that the North would eventually be unable to sustain the war effort, leading to a favorable outcome for the United States.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Westmoreland's "search and destroy" concept meant
- A.
That the war would be fought at village level and, predominantly, be a small unit war
- B.
That the MACV would fight the PAVN in large scale encounters that ultimately suited the communists
- C.
That a small scale war would be fought, focused around the border areas, the Ho Chi Minh Trail port towns
- D.
That the strategic hamlet approach to separating the communists from the villages would work
Correct Answer
A. That the war would be fought at village level and, predominantly, be a small unit warExplanation
Westmoreland's "search and destroy" concept meant that the war would be fought at the village level and predominantly be a small unit war. This suggests that the focus of the military strategy was to engage in localized operations, targeting specific villages and utilizing small units rather than large-scale encounters. This approach aimed to disrupt and dismantle the enemy's infrastructure and support base within the villages, ultimately weakening their position and control. By emphasizing small unit operations, the concept aimed to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the military campaign.Rate this question:
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- 19.
Brigadier Ted Serong, the Australian in charge of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam believed
- A.
That the only way of telling whether you were winning the war was through the quantity of territory controlled near the border
- B.
That the only way of telling whether you were winning the war was through body count
- C.
That the only way of telling whether you were winning the war was through the number of search and destroy missions effected in a month
- D.
The only real indicator of progress in a war of counterinsurgency was the volume of intelligence spontaneously offered by the population, since this was the indicator of whether or not the people believed you really could offer them security.
Correct Answer
A. That the only way of telling whether you were winning the war was through the quantity of territory controlled near the borderExplanation
Brigadier Ted Serong believed that the only way to determine if the war was being won was by looking at the amount of territory controlled near the border. This suggests that he believed controlling territory was a crucial factor in achieving victory in the war. It implies that he believed that gaining control over strategic locations and pushing the enemy back towards the border was a significant indicator of progress and success in the conflict.Rate this question:
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- 20.
After Viet Cong attacks on the US air base at Pleiku in Vietnam on Feb 6, 1965, and an imminent attack on the US air base at Da Nang on February 22nd 1965
- A.
The US continued to lost aircraft at an alarming rate and eventually sent in combat troops at the end of the year.
- B.
The US continued to lost aircraft at an alarming rate and eventually settled the conflict with Hanoi in favour of a shared governmental arrangement.
- C.
Johnson approved Westmoreland's request for 6000 US Marines to land to guard the base.
- D.
Diem was assasinated.
Correct Answer
C. Johnson approved Westmoreland's request for 6000 US Marines to land to guard the base.Explanation
After the attacks on the US air bases in Vietnam, the US was losing aircraft at a high rate. In response to this, Johnson approved Westmoreland's request for 6000 US Marines to land and guard the base. This decision was made to protect the base and prevent further attacks by the Viet Cong.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 20, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Aug 31, 2011Quiz Created by
James Burfitt