Activity 1 - How did the conflict develop?

  1. Explore - Complete this worksheet examining the course of the Vietnam War. Using the Lesson Presentation and any other resources, investigate the actions of both the US/ARVN and VC/PAVN.
  2. Locate - Research the chronology of the war and create a timeline to show the main events, 1960 to 1975. Arrange the notes on your worksheets to show this.
  3. Write - What were the most significant turning points of the conflict? Pick three events and explain your choice in a paragraph.'
  4. Discuss - In which phase of the war could it be argued that the US had the most successful strategy? What accounts for this?

Activity 2 - The nature of the fighting

  1. Research - In small groups, research one of the following military operations of the Vietnam War and then create a short 2-3 mins presentation for your class. Use text, maps, images and videos to answer the following questions:
    1. What were the aims of the operation?
    2. What forces and equipment were involved?
    3. What strategies and tactics were used?
    4. What was the outcome and significance of the operation?
    5. Summary - What does it reveal about the nature of the fighting?
  2. Select - In your group, choose one of the following military operations to explore and present on:
    1. 1963 - Battle of Ap Bac
    2. 1965 - Battle of La Drang Valley
    3. 1965 - Operation Rolling Thunder
    4. 1966 - Operation Attleboro
    5. 1968 - Battle of Khe Sahn
    6. 1968 - Tet Offensive
    7. 1968 - The My Lai Massacre
    8. 1968 - Operation Toan Thang
    9. 1969 - Battle of Hamburger Hill
    10. 1969 - Operation Menu
    11. 1971 - Operation Lam Son 719
    12. 1972 - Operation Linebacker
  3. Discuss - After reviewing the presentations, discuss the following questions as a class:
    1. What mistakes did the US make in Vietnam?
    2. Why were VC/PAVN tactics so effective?
    3. What strategies should the US have used in Vietnam?
    4. Was US defeat in the war inevitable?

Activity 3 - What forces fought in the war?

  1. Research - Research the differences between both the US/ARVN and VC/PAVN forces. Complete this worksheet by noting down key facts about the force structure, foreign support, strategy and tactics, and key leaders:
    1. ​https://www.pritzkermilitary.org/explore/vietnam-war/armed-forces​ 
  2. Discuss - To what extent was Vietcong and Communist success dependent on foreign support? Could they have defeated the US without this?

Further Reading

OBLIGATORY READING
  1. Sanders, V. (2015). Access to History: The Cold War in Asia 1945-93, pp. 143-168
RECOMMENDED READING
  1. Weist, A. (2002). Osprey Essential Histories: The Vietnam War, 1956-1975, pp. 29-58
SUPPLEMENTAL READING
  1. Williamson, D.G. (2015). Access to History for the IB Diploma - The Cold War: Superpower Tensions and Rivalries, pp. 190-199
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