Focus of the topic
- The focus of the topic is to evaluate the impact of foreign intervention on civil wars.
- It appears that there is a lack of evidence regarding the effect of foreign intervention.
- While there is some evidence suggesting the presence of significant factors, it is not sufficient.
- However, there is a lack of evidence to prove that these factors were indeed significant.
- There is a need for explanations or evidence showing the specific effects of foreign intervention.
- Alternatively, evidence of the opposite effect, such as the immediate occupation of North Vietnam after the US military withdrawal, could also be considered.
Background Info (Introduction)
- Spanish Civil War
- Spain experienced unstable conditions with power alternating between two opposing factions.
- The conflict in Spain became a proxy war between different ideologies.
- The clash of ideologies attracted significant international attention.
- Various nations intervened in support of their preferred ideologies, while others chose to avoid intervention.
- Vietnam War
- The US officially entered the war in 1964 after the Gulf of Tonkin incident.
- Previous US presidents, such as Truman and Eisenhower, had supported the French and the South Vietnamese government under Diem, respectively.
- It may also be worth mentioning the involvement of President Kennedy.
Body
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Spanish Civil War
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Nationalist support
- Right-wing ideologies, such as those of Germany, Italy, and Portugal, supported the Nationalists.
- The Luftwaffe provided early support, with the Condor Legion transporting troops from Spanish Morocco to mainland Spain.
- The Luftwaffe also conducted crucial bombing operations in northern regions.
- Italy provided significant support, including 750 aircraft, 150 tanks, and 75,000 troops.
- The United States and Britain, as neutral states, provided limited support and allowed the use of Gibraltar.
- As a result, the Nationalists gained substantial benefits.
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Republican support
- In contrast, the Republicans received limited support from the USSR (left-wing).
- The difference in support had an impact on the outcome of the war.
- The USSR supported communist movements and sold some weapons to the Republican government.
- However, the support provided was much smaller compared to the Nationalists.
- The amount of support decreased after 1938 when the Republicans were weakening.
- For example, in 1936, they received 500 aircraft, but by 1938, they received none.
- International Brigades from various nations, including the US and Germany, supported the Republicans.
- However, their lack of training and limited effectiveness did not significantly help the Republicans.
- Therefore, the difference in support played a role in the Republicans’ defeat.
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Other factors
- The strength of the Nationalists themselves against the Republicans may have been a more significant factor.
- The Nationalists had strong leadership under Franco, while the Republicans lacked unified leadership.
- The Republicans experienced internal conflicts between extreme anarchists and moderate communists during May Day.
- The Nationalists were economically more stable than the Republicans as they controlled areas with rich food production.
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Vietnam War
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P1: US intervention
- Discuss why the US did not win despite its significant support.
- Highlight the roles of Kennedy and Johnson, especially Johnson.
- Mention the challenges faced by US forces, such as their lack of familiarity with the land and difficulties in gaining cooperation.
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P2: Communist intervention
- Reference https://alphahistory.com/vietnamwar/chinese-and-soviet-involvement/#Early_Soviet_attitudes for more detailed information.
- Discuss the limited availability of publicly released information on this topic.
- Before the second civil war, Stalin provided minimal support but did supply German weapons.
- China provided some support in terms of weapons.
- After the Gulf of Tonkin incident, Chinese support escalated.
- While the US conducted airstrikes through the Rolling Thunder campaign, China provided construction support.
- China also sent troops to protect North Vietnam, enabling the North Vietnamese Army to focus on fighting in South Vietnam.
- The Soviet Union, under the leadership of Brezhnev, increased its support.
- Kosygin’s visit to South Vietnam and the provision of significant military aid followed.
- By the late 1960s, more than three-quarters of the military and technical equipment received by North Vietnam came from the Soviet Union.
- The aid provided by the Soviet Union was free, not a loan.
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P3: Other factors
- Discuss the weaknesses of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN).
- Highlight the popularity of Ho Chi Minh and the unpopularity of Diem.
- Discuss the effectiveness of guerrilla warfare, using the content from the ”Guerilla warfare in two civil wars” outline.
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