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NSWModern HistoryQuick questions
Section III (Peace and Conflict): Conflict in Indochina 1954-1979
Quick questions on Nature of the war: guerrilla and conventional: HSC Modern History Indochina
6short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is the doctrinal framework?Show answer
Mao Zedong's three stages of revolutionary war (Yu Chi Chan, 1937; On Protracted War, 1938) provided the framework: strategic defensive (guerrilla), strategic stalemate (mobile war), strategic counter-offensive (conventional war). The doctrine assumed the revolutionary side could trade space for time and would win politically by exhausting an enemy with finite political will.
What are pAVN regular operations?Show answer
PAVN (the People's Army of Vietnam, also NVA) infiltrated regular regiments south from 1964 onwards down the Ho Chi Minh Trail. PAVN forces were better trained, better equipped, and better officered than the PLAF.
What is aRVN strategy?Show answer
The Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) was trained on the US conventional model, with a heavy logistical tail and reliance on air support. ARVN performance was uneven. Strong units (the 1st Division at Hue, the 18th Division at Xuan Loc, the airborne and marine reserves) fought well. Many units were under-trained, under-paid, and politicised.
What is q1?Show answer
Source A is an extract from Giap's People's War, People's Army (1961) on the three phases. Using Source A and your own knowledge, explain the nature of DRV strategy. [5 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Evaluate the extent to which guerrilla and conventional warfare were complementary in Vietnam. [25 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Compare the views of Mark Moyar and Douglas Valentine on the Phoenix Programme. [10 marks]
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