History Courses For Dr. Christopher C. Lovett
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History Courses For Dr. Christopher C. Lovett |
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Updated as of 2 October 05 Today in History: On October 2, 1780, Major John Andrι, a British spy associated with Benedict Arnold, was executed on this day in history. Quote of the Day: "In my view we are much worse off now than when we went into Iraq. This is not a partisan position. I voted for these guys." A senior figure at a military-sponsored think tank as told to James Fallows in "Bush's Lost Year" in The Atlantic Monthly (Oct. 2004) Take the Ann Coulter Quiz Where are you politically? Take the Neocon Quiz and find out. "History is Far too Important to be left to History Professors" Teaching isn't such a novel idea
Bibliography:
History of Disease Contemporary Terrorist Organizations Map of Islamic Terrorist Cells in the U.S.A.
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Dienbienphu, The Geneva Settlement, and the Birth of South VietnamVietnam WarFall 2005The Status of the French Military The French could not use draftees to serve in Indochina. The French Command only had approximately 100,000 troops to draw upon. French foreign legionnaires, colonial troops, or from the Regular Army. The French would eventually use Vietnamese and that was hard for them and the Vietnamese.The Vietminh Giap made some premature mistakes on the offensive operations. Eventually, the Vietminh move into the Central Highlands in an effort to drive the French out. The Vietminh openly aid the Pathet Lao.The Political Situation in Vietnam The French were looking for a way out of the war in 1952. With the Korean Armistice in 1953, the French didnt want to go it alone against the Red Chinese. The new French commander, Henri Navarre came up with a new, bold, and yet stupid, plan.The Navarre Plan Goal was to keep the Vietminh off balance. By rapid raids in the border zones. It was hoped that such moves would keep the Vietminh away from the deltas. Then Navarre wanted to disrupt the Vietminhs thrust into Laos. He selected a remote and isolated base at Dienbienphu. At the limit of French airpower.The Object of Dienbienphu Designed to block Giaps moves into Laos. Expand the defensive parameter. Establish an airfield. Overlooked the five feet of annual rain.The Changing International Situation The Korean War ends in 1953. Stalin dies. The French want out.French Positions at DienbienphuFrench Paratroopers Land at DienbienphuWords of Wisdom from the French Arty Commander at DienbienphuGiap Surprised the French Giap moved faster than the French estimated. Giap had 50,000 men plus another 20,000 along the LOCs. His men moved the arty up hill by hand and dug them in. The attack began on March 13, 1954 on Fort Beatrice followed on Gabrielle. The attacks were costlyThe Situation Becomes Desperate French airpower could not support the base. Only air drops could re-supply Dienbienphu. In the meantime, Giaps troops moved closer and closer. The French Chief of Staff, Paul Ely, arrived in Washington with a request on March 20. He wanted air strikes in and around Dienbienphu, including possible Atomic Bombs.The Fighting Around DienbienphuOperation Vulture Admiral Radford, Chairman of the JCS, proposed a raid of 60 B-29s flying from the Philippines with French markings. The French liked the idea and so did the USAF. But the British didnt nor did the US Army. The Pentagon thought that three nukes could do the job. LBJ, the minority leader thought otherwise.The French Surrender The French were left to their fate. The last reinforcements were Vietnamese paratroopers. Then on May 8, 1954, the end came.Dienbienphu MemorialThe International Meeting at Geneva The meeting took place before the fall of Dienbienphu. The meeting was co-chaired by Great Britain and the USSR. The other nations or states that attended included: China, USA, France, Cambodia, Laos, DRV, and RVN. A truce was signed on July 20, 1954. Hanoi claimed that the PRC forced them to sign.The Geneva Accords A provisional demarcation line was established at the 17th parallel. Set national elections for 1956. Evacuation of French troops north and Vietminh troops south of the 17th Parallel. Freedom of movement among both zones for 300 days. Both North and South Vietnam could not join foreign alliances. An International Commission to monitor the accords.On The Cover of Time November 22, 1954The Erskine and Melby Mission to VietnamGeneral Erskine on the FrenchRecommendations of the Melby-Erskine Mission Advised to send a military advisory command to Vietnam. The group, the Military Assistance and Advisory Group (MAAG) was established in 1950. The first commander was Brig. Gen. Francis G. Brink. The French never cooperated with the Americans.The Collins Mission Following the partition of Vietnam he urged Eisenhower to withdraw assistance from Diem. When Eisenhower decided to support Diem, Collins went to Vietnam as the President personal rep. Still Collins recommend aid be cut off. As a result, Collins was replaced and sent home in 1955.Matthew B. Ridgway and Vietnam He opposed the Vulture. He thought American intervention would increase the likelihood of Chinese to intervene. He wanted to restrict American training of the Vietnamese. He didnt know if the South Vietnamese could survive.Ridgways Four Essential Conditions for U.S. Aid A Reasonable and strong central government in control. The Governments of the Associated States of Indochina should ask for aid. The French should make an orderly and phased withdrawal from Indochina. The size and disposition of the military establishments should be dictated by local needs and U.S. interests.Why did Diem Become President? He had no real experience in government. Bao Dai never gave him real power. The French never trusted him. Other South Vietnamese never cooperated with him. His government revolved around his family.Who Was Ngo Dinh Diem? He was a mandarin. He was educated in Hue. He spent time in the Maryknoll Seminary in Lakewood, New Jersey. On June 7, 1950, Bao Dai invited him to become Prime Minister. He was the leading Vietnamese anti-Communist.Diems Enemies Were Many and Powerful Cao Dai. Hoa Hao Binh Xuyen ARVNMilitary Assistance and Advisory Group Went by MAAG. Mission was to train and assist ARVN. On the company level, Battalion Level, as well as both the Divisional and Corps level. At first training was bi-national, but soon the US took over more of the role. To reduce the logistical nightmare, the US sent over additional troops to handle the system.The Case of Edward Lansdale He was in the Air Force. Worked for the CIA. Did Psychological Operations. Saved the Philippines. Became a trusted advisor to Diem.Corruption was rampant To deal with the new regime one had to pay a gratuity to the Can Lao Party if one wanted a construction project. ARVN was under the direct control of the Diem family. Many so entry into the Army as a way to enrich themselves.Rates of Pay in the ROK and ARVNThe Presence of ARVNWho Were Those MAAG Advisors? They served for one year. During the Eisenhower administration they numbered approximately 700 and that number would grow. Some could bring their families and others lived in comfortable BOQsThe Legacy of Dwight D. Eisenhower An Anti-Communist Ideology, ie, The Domino Theory in 1955. Substituted the Americans for the French and MAAG expanded from 300 to 900 by 1960. Created a dependence ofon the USA.* Established an international framework for intervention SEATO. But Ike did not intervene during the Dienbienphu Crisis.
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