What role did the Viet Cong play in the Vietnam War?
What role did the Viet Cong play in the Vietnam War?
For the most part, the Viet Cong fought essentially a guerrilla war of ambush, terrorism, and sabotage; they used small units to maintain a hold on the countryside, leaving the main population centres to government authorities. A Viet Cong soldier crouching in a bunker during the Vietnam War.
What advantages did the Viet Cong have in the Vietnam War?
Their having lived in these areas prior to the war gave them superior knowledge of the land, which they used to plant traps and plan ambushes. Additionally, they were not tied down by as rigid of a military structure as the US, so they were able to fight independently and wage their own private wars.
Who were the Viet Cong allies?
Viet Cong
| National Liberation Front of South Vietnam | |
|---|---|
| Allies | North Vietnam Soviet Union China |
| Opponents | South Vietnam United States United Front for the Liberation of Oppressed Races Kingdom of Laos Khmer Republic Thailand |
| Battles and wars | See full list |
| Succeeded by Vietnam Fatherland Front |
Was Ho Chi Minh the leader of the Viet Cong?
In 1960 Ho Chi-Minh formed the National Liberation Front or Viet Cong to resist the American supported non-communist government in South Vietnam. Clashes between the NLF and South Vietnamese forces brought the United States precipitously into the conflict.
Why were the Vietcong hard to fight?
The Vietcong had an intricate knowledge of the terrain. They won the hearts and minds of the South Vietnamese people by living in their villages and helping them with their everyday lives. Their tunnel systems, booby-traps and jungle cover meant they were difficult to defeat and hard to find.
What advantages did the Vietcong have over American troops?
Although many Viet Cong were young, inexperienced soldiers, they learned be resilient, to live with few materials comforts and sacrifice for their ideals. This gave them a mental advantage over their opponents. Most importantly, they were fighting for their own country.
Why were the Vietcong so successful against the US?
They were extremely successful because they had very good and vital knowledge of the forests and jungles and were able to protect their supplies from damage by using the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
Who supported the Vietcong?
The Vietcong and North Vietnam were supported by the Soviet Union (USSR) and China who supplied money and weapons.
What was Ho Chi Minh role in the Vietnam War?
Ho Chi Minh led a long and ultimately successful campaign to make Vietnam independent. He was president of North Vietnam from 1945 to 1969, and he was one of the most influential communist leaders of the 20th century. His seminal role is reflected in the fact that Vietnam’s largest city is named for him.
What were Ho Chi Minh decisions about the war?
In peace negotiations at Geneva, the decision was reached to divide Vietnam into northern and southern halves. The communists, headed by Ho Chi Minh, would govern the northern half, with its capital at Hanoi, while South Vietnam, with its capital at Saigon, would remain non-communist.
