Question 1: When did the Vietnam War officially begin?

Answer: 1955

Question 2: Who was the leader of North Vietnam during the Vietnam War?

Answer: Ho Chi Minh

Question 3: Which event marked the Gulf of Tonkin incident?

Answer: A naval confrontation that led to increased US involvement

Question 4: Describe one reason why the US decided to escalate its involvement in Vietnam.

Answer: Possible answer: To contain communism during the Cold War, as part of the Domino Theory, or to support South Vietnam against communist North Vietnam.

Question 5: What was the significance of the Tet Offensive in 1968?

Answer: It was a major turning point that eroded US public support and highlighted the difficulty of winning the war.

Question 1: Source: 'A government poster depicting the Vietnam War as a fight for freedom and democracy.' What was the purpose of this poster, and how might it influence public opinion?

Answer: The purpose was to gain support for the war by portraying it as a fight for democratic values. It might influence the audience by encouraging patriotic feelings and reducing opposition.

Question 2: Source: 'A newspaper article from 1968 reporting on the Tet Offensive.' Assess the reliability of this source and how it might reflect the media's view at the time.

Answer: The source is a contemporary report, so it is relatively reliable, but it may be biased depending on the newspaper's stance. It could reflect either support or criticism of the US involvement, influencing public perception.

Question 3: A letter from a US soldier describing his experiences in Vietnam. What does this source reveal about soldiers' attitudes towards the war?

Answer: It may reveal feelings of fear, disillusionment, or patriotism, depending on the content. Such personal accounts help understand the human impact of the war.

Question 1: Explain why the Tet Offensive was a turning point in the Vietnam War.

Answer: The Tet Offensive marked a turning point because it shocked the US public and government by exposing the resilience of North Vietnamese forces, leading to a shift in US policy and decreasing support for the war.

Question 2: Describe how media coverage influenced public opinion about the Vietnam War.

Answer: Media coverage, including graphic images and reports of atrocities, increased anti-war sentiment and led to widespread protests, affecting US government decisions.

Question 3: Explain the significance of the My Lai Massacre in shaping public attitudes toward the war.

Answer: The My Lai Massacre exposed wartime atrocities, leading to outrage and increasing opposition to US involvement, highlighting moral and ethical issues.

Question 1: To what extent did media coverage influence the outcome of the Vietnam War? (8-12 marks)

Answer: Model answer: Media coverage played a significant role in shaping public opinion, increasing anti-war protests, and pressuring policymakers. Graphic images and reports of atrocities, such as My Lai, eroded support for the war effort. However, military and political factors also influenced the outcome. Overall, media coverage was a key factor in the changing attitudes and eventual withdrawal of US forces.