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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Approximately how many pages are in the famous "Pentagon Papers"?

2. John Paul Vann's Vietnamese counterpart is named:

3. How are the Viet Minh perceived by many of the Vietnamese people, especially in light of their victory over the French in the First Indochina War?

4. Which Vietnamese emperor hands over his power and authority to the Viet Minh when he abdicates the throne in 1946?

5. The Battle of Ap Bac is seen as a huge ________________ for the Viet Cong.

Short Essay Questions

1. Which American adviser is responsible for drawing up the basic plan of attack for the ARVN?

2. Briefly describe some of the things John Paul Vann did that get him categorized as lucky by those with whom he served.

3. How many Viet Cong were at the radio tower position at Ap Bac and what were the actual combat conditions there?

4. What are some of the reasons why the South Vietnamese people as a whole do not rally behind the Americans?

5. Briefly describe who the National Liberation Front (NLF) are.

6. From this brief vignette of the funeral of John Paul Vann, what facts can we glean about his life and personality?

7. What are some of the many diverse features of the populace in South Vietnam that prevented a strong, unified front against the Viet Cong?

8. What are the key components of Ziegler's battle plan? How many men and how much air and armor support are sent to Ap Bac?

9. Discuss the significance of John Paul Vann's promotion to senior adviser for a corps region. How is this significant?

10. In what ways does John Paul Vann interact with his superior officers during his assignment to Vietnam?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Vietnam War era is one characterized by controversy and uncertainty. What were some of the reasons why the U.S. military's efforts in Vietnam were seen in such a negative light "back home" in America? Why was there growing pressure to end the war and bring the troops home? What were some of the contributing factors that caused America to finally end their presence in Vietnam?

Essay Topic 2

What were some of the key actions taken by the Diem administration in South Vietnam that adversely affected the opinion of the general population toward him and, by extension, toward the Americans that installed him in power? Please cite 2-3 examples and how the people of South Vietnam reacted to each policy or action taken.

Essay Topic 3

When Richard M. Nixon was elected president in 1968, what actions did he take with regard to the war in Vietnam? Provide 2-3 examples, along with your analysis of whether or not these actions helped or hindered the war effort. Also, how did Nixon's policies mesh or differ with the views espoused throughout the book by John Paul Vann?

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This section contains 896 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample