Cautious Start in early 1960s About Getting Involved in Vietnam
- Soviets had supported HO’s struggles against French in 1950s + had provided support for formation of Viet Cong
- however not active in Asia in early 1960s
- because of the Sino Soviet Split (mid 1950s onwards)
- caused r.s. between USSR and China to deteriorate → thus 2 comm powers less likely to cooperate
- Sino Soviet split also meant → NV had to play balancing act between USSR and China’s interests → gain aid and support from both countries.
- because of the Sino Soviet Split (mid 1950s onwards)
Increased Interest (Mid-Late 1960s)
mid 1960s → Soviets began to show more interest in Vietnam.
- Due to Sino Soviet Split → USSR also in contest with China over leadership of communist world
- showing supp for another communist state which was standing up against US → important in asserting USSR’s leadership.
- soviets steadily provided more and more arms + other essential supplies to NV.
- late 1960s → USSR provided more supp to NV than China → in form of aircraft, air defences, surface to air missiles