Chemical Incapacitants in Warfare
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Questions and Answers

What was Admiral Sharp's suggestion for dealing with the Viet Cong during the Tet Offensive?

  • Employing nuclear weapons to quickly overpower the enemy
  • Developing and using non-lethal incapacitating weapons to minimize civilian casualties (correct)
  • Withdrawing troops from urban areas to avoid civilian casualties
  • Using lethal chemical weapons to maximize enemy casualties
  • What was Westmoreland's response to Admiral Sharp's suggestion?

  • He agreed with the idea and suggested exploring new weapons development
  • He recommended using standard chemical incapacitating agents, such as BZ (correct)
  • He rejected the idea of using non-lethal incapacitating weapons
  • He proposed only using biological agents, such as UC, for aerial spray
  • What was a major concern for Admiral Sharp regarding the use of chemical munitions?

  • The political implications and public distaste (correct)
  • The potential environmental impact
  • The risk of friendly fire casualties
  • The potential for the enemy to develop similar weapons
  • What was the context of the discussion between Admiral Sharp and Westmoreland?

    <p>The Tet Offensive and urban fighting in Hue</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the military advantage that Admiral Sharp saw in using non-lethal incapacitating weapons?

    <p>The ability to quickly overpower the enemy while minimizing civilian casualties</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the concern regarding the use of chemical incapacitants in warfare?

    <p>Psychopolitical reaction and need for public orientation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary route of absorption for the chemical incapacitant BZ?

    <p>Respiratory system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why did the US have a stockpile of lethal chemical weapons, including sarin and VX?

    <p>For deterrent purposes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the limitation of the US's capability to wage chemical warfare?

    <p>Inadequate protection for its own forces</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the outcome of the US's production and stockpiling of lethal chemical weapons?

    <p>Uncertainty about their use in Vietnam</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the purpose of the US's development of various munitions for chemical warfare?

    <p>To demonstrate military capability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary purpose of the incapacitating non-lethal antipersonnel chemical agents used in Vietnam?

    <p>To incapacitate enemy personnel without causing permanent harm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the key claim of structural realism in the context of the use of CBN weapons in Vietnam?

    <p>That the international system constrains state behavior and influences international outcomes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best explains the non-use of nuclear weapons by the US in Vietnam?

    <p>The US was concerned about the political costs of using nuclear weapons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary purpose of using CS, a chemical agent used by the US in Vietnam?

    <p>To incapacitate enemy personnel temporarily</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of crossing the nuclear threshold, according to Herman Kahn?

    <p>Crossing the nuclear threshold may greatly weaken the barriers to proliferation and general use of nuclear weapons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the concern regarding the use of nuclear weapons in the Vietnam War, as outlined in the 'Political Consequences' scenario?

    <p>The ultimate outcome is impossible to predict, but general war could result, even from the least provocative use of nuclear weapons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary concern of the authors of 'Political Consequences' regarding the use of tactical nuclear weapons in Vietnam?

    <p>The use of tactical nuclear weapons would have serious long-range consequences, even if massive retaliation did not result.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the central argument of the 'Nuclear Taboo' in the context of the Cold War?

    <p>The non-use of nuclear weapons since 1945 is a significant political and psychological threshold.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the fundamental problem with using nuclear weapons in a limited war, as outlined in the ' Political Consequences' scenario?

    <p>Even limited use of nuclear weapons could lead to general war and unpredictable consequences.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the 'Nuclear Taboo' in the context of nuclear proliferation?

    <p>Crossing the nuclear threshold may weaken the barriers to proliferation and general use of nuclear weapons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role did world public opinion play in shaping the US's decision not to use nuclear weapons in the Vietnam War?

    <p>Mounting public opposition to the war gave US leaders a demoralizing foretaste of the kind of world public outrage that use of nuclear weapons might provoke.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was President Johnson's stance on the use of nuclear weapons in the Vietnam War?

    <p>He was clear in his own mind that he would not order a first use of nuclear weapons except perhaps in the case of overwhelming Soviet aggression in Europe.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the concept of a nuclear taboo influence the US's decision-making during the Vietnam War?

    <p>A nuclear taboo was taking hold among Johnson and his advisors, contributing to their reluctance to use nuclear weapons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the significance of the views of foreign leaders, such as U Thant and Harold Wilson, in the context of the US's non-use of nuclear weapons in Vietnam?

    <p>Their urging of restraint contributed to the US's decision not to use nuclear weapons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the US's experience in the Vietnam War reflect the principles of limited war theory?

    <p>The US's efforts to limit the war reflected the principles of limited war theory, which emphasizes the need to avoid escalating conflicts into full-scale wars.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the US's non-use of nuclear weapons in Vietnam suggest about the effectiveness of nuclear deterrence during the Cold War?

    <p>The US's restraint in using nuclear weapons despite the threat posed by the Soviet Union suggests that nuclear deterrence was effective in preventing the escalation of conflicts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the main reason behind Rusk's willingness to take the risk of major escalation in Vietnam, according to the text?

    <p>He believed that Chinese leaders were 'practical men' who would act prudently, in part because of the US nuclear arsenal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did Rusk propose to respond to an attack on South Korea, according to the text?

    <p>He suggested making a public declaration that any attack on South Korea would be met by the use of nuclear weapons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the context of Rusk's suggestion to move a US division in Korea to Southeast Asia, according to the text?

    <p>It was an NSC meeting in May 1964, where Rusk was discussing strategies for responding to the Hanoi–Viet Cong aggression.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did Rusk's views on nuclear weapons differ from Eisenhower's, according to the text?

    <p>Rusk did not share Eisenhower's views on nuclear weapons, but endorsed his recommendations for a 'campaign of pressure' against North Vietnam.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the underlying assumption behind Rusk's willingness to take risks in Vietnam, according to the text?

    <p>He thought that the escalation risks were low, and that the Chinese leaders would act prudently.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the significance of Rusk's memo to President Kennedy, according to the text?

    <p>It was a strong personal memo that advocated for a 'campaign of pressure' against North Vietnam, even at the risk of major escalation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

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