Russian Involvement
The Soviet Union’s wish to spread communism and impede American support led to them providing aid and military support for North Vietnam during the war. The Soviet Union began to provide aid to North Vietnam after the Sino Soviet split in the later 1950’s. Not only did this deterioration provide Russia with the opportunity to cement their support for communist countries, but it also showed that they were not to be out done by America, who was a leading power during this time. Relations between North Vietnam and the Soviets increased, which could have been due to the newly signed Moscow Declaration allowing them to negotiate for a 70% increase of trade between both nations. This is shown by Le Duan, a Vietnamese communist politician in 1957, who states that the Moscow Declaration “.. not only confirmed the line and created favourable conditions for North Vietnam to advance toward socialism, but have also shown the path of struggle for national liberation and have created favorable conditions for the revolutionary movement in South Vietnam.” (Le Duan; cited in; Carter, 2007)
Follow the link here for information on the Russian Involvement in the Vietnam War!
Take a quick look at the Soviet Contribution video below!
Originally not interested in the Vietnam War due to nuclear war fears, the Soviets provided great aid and support, as they themselves believed in expanding communism beyond their borders - a direct attack against America’s support for South Vietnam. This can be shown by Richard C Thornton, Ph.D. holder, and professor of History and International Affairs who states, “During the following year, 1958, the Soviet Union eclipsed Communist China as the principal source of aid for North Vietnam.” (Thornton, 1974). Slowly, but surely, Russia became the main benefactor of the war, and main provider of economic, military, and propaganda aid, by supplying North Vietnam with military apparatus, such as tanks, helicopters, planes, arms, artilleries and medical assistance. It was evident that through their assistance, Russia had attempted to bog down America, by providing North Vietnam with as many supplies and equipment as they could in order for America to lose to a communist power. Distinguished author and pacification advisor during the Vietnam War, Jeffery Record opined that, “Indeed, for the Russians, the Vietnam War as a strategic windfall: it bogged American military power down...” (Record, 1998). This would help to show that communism was increasing in popularity and strength. The Soviet’s were keen to halt support of democracy against them, and continued to provide aid even after the war had finished. Overall, they had provided almost US $800 million annually, which increased to US $1.4 billion, which illustrated the support for the North Vietnamese, and communism.
Click here to read a summary on why the Soviets supported North Vietnam!
Watch this video on Soviet Support for Vietnam!
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Sources
Carter, N., 2007. The Vietnam War: What Role Did Outside Countries Play?. [Online]
Available at: http://www.articlesbase.com/politics-articles/the-vietnam-war-what-role-did-outside-countries-play-261924.html [Accessed 4 November 2013].
History Channel, 2013. China agrees to provide aid to North Vietnam. [Online] Available at: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/china-agrees-to-provide-aid-to-north-vietnam [Accessed 4 November 2013].
Llewellyn, J., Southey, J. & Thompson, S., 2013. Chinese and Soviet Involvement in Vietnam. [Online] Available at: http://alphahistory.com/vietnam/chinese-and-soviet-involvement/ [Accessed 4 November 2013].
Stanke, J., 1998. Ilya V. Gaidk. The soviet Union and the Vietnam War.. [Online] Available at: http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=2056 [Accessed 4 November 2013].
Thornton, R. C., 1974. Soviet Strategy and the Vietnam War. Asian Affairs, 1(4), pp. 205-207.
U.S. Library of Congress, 2013. China. [Online] Available at: http://countrystudies.us/vietnam/60.htm [Accessed 5 November 2013].
U.S Library of Congress, 2013. The Soviet Union. [Online] Available at: http://countrystudies.us/vietnam/61.htm [Accessed 5 November 2013].
History Channel, 2013. China agrees to provide aid to North Vietnam. [Online] Available at: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/china-agrees-to-provide-aid-to-north-vietnam [Accessed 4 November 2013].
Llewellyn, J., Southey, J. & Thompson, S., 2013. Chinese and Soviet Involvement in Vietnam. [Online] Available at: http://alphahistory.com/vietnam/chinese-and-soviet-involvement/ [Accessed 4 November 2013].
Stanke, J., 1998. Ilya V. Gaidk. The soviet Union and the Vietnam War.. [Online] Available at: http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=2056 [Accessed 4 November 2013].
Thornton, R. C., 1974. Soviet Strategy and the Vietnam War. Asian Affairs, 1(4), pp. 205-207.
U.S. Library of Congress, 2013. China. [Online] Available at: http://countrystudies.us/vietnam/60.htm [Accessed 5 November 2013].
U.S Library of Congress, 2013. The Soviet Union. [Online] Available at: http://countrystudies.us/vietnam/61.htm [Accessed 5 November 2013].