WI the VC had struck in the USA?

It's true that the Vietnamese-American community was vanishingly small pre-1970. I think this would actually make it easier for VC/NVA terrorists ITTL to infiltrate, because mainly nobody would be paying attention.

Let's say POD is July 4 1969. VC terrorists hit a 4th of July cookout/fireworks show in Orange County, gunning down 3 or 4 dozen civilians before themselves being killed. If it's absolutely confirmed as their responsibilty, I think Calbear's right. Nixon will order a 200-300 kt bomb dropped right in the middle of Hanoi.
Would the VC try an ISIS like attack like that or would they try something which would affect the American war effort or the economy, like targeting water or power supply in the West Coast? I don't know, I'm asking.
 

EMTSATX

Banned
I agree in essence, but I was just pointing out in my mind the idea (in my own mind) that since we didn't take a much harsher response to domestic terrorist groups perhaps, we would not nuke Hanoi. I know 1969 is different than 2001, but we didn't level Kabul. There was a minority of people did not favour us invading Afghanistan. I'm not touching Iraq. We didn't arrest and try people for treason here. I maybe I'm wrong just an idea.
 

EMTSATX

Banned
Would the VC try an ISIS like attack like that or would they try something which would affect the American war effort or the economy, like targeting water or power supply in the West Coast? I don't know, I'm asking.
I think an Isis type thing. Although the VC had excellent sapper capability, but with out intelligence I'm not sure they would know where to hit. Ironically, I think an attack would lead to a more vicious response. As I think Isis will find out no matter who wins in November.
 
Would the VC try an ISIS like attack like that or would they try something which would affect the American war effort or the economy, like targeting water or power supply in the West Coast? I don't know, I'm asking.

I would look to the PLO and their allies, along with the other leftist terrorist groups from the time period in question that were supported by the soviet union, for an example of the way that the VC would attempt a terrorist attack, plain hijacking was all the rage at that moment in time. ISIS like attacks are a modern evolution of terrorism, as seems to be the large scale thinking as anything more then a dream. The VC through the soviets would have access to more then a few 'successful' terrorist networks, and would be able to utilize their expertise when designing an attack.
 
Would the VC try an ISIS like attack like that or would they try something which would affect the American war effort or the economy, like targeting water or power supply in the West Coast? I don't know, I'm asking.

The one OTL didn't even try a small one, the insane government in TTL might well try it.
 
Question: How? Are they going to swim?

The Black Panthers and the Weather Men were domestic, we weren't going to invade OURSELVES. I think it would have have stopped short of nuking but throwing another corps or two into Vietnam is far from unlikely. Also the anti-war protests would be greatly reduced. North Vietnam would clearly a direct threat to the US in this case.

The number of terrorists radicals on the New Left was only about 100 people that the FBI could find, though it acted like there were thousands influencing millions.
 
Question: How? Are they going to swim?



The number of terrorists radicals on the New Left was only about 100 people that the FBI could find, though it acted like there were thousands influencing millions.

I am not sure what you mean by this but if you mean the North Vietnamese, they can smuggle terrorists by air.
 

CalBear

Moderator
Donor
Monthly Donor
Every one is saying the gloves would come off, which is very reasonable but...

We didn't destroy the Black Panthers, the weather men, SDS etc... I mean Bill Ayers and various Panther's are still running around.

If we nuked/invaded Vietnam what do the Russian's or Chinese do? What if a nuking of Kabul or Taipei is justified later on by hey, you did it to Hanoi.
China would have stood by and giggled. The utter contempt between Hanoi and Beijing was, and is, difficult to overstate. The only reason the PRC allowed supply trains to cross their territory is that the Soviets had to pay what amounted to a huge toll in equipment and materials for every load.

The Soviets would shake their head over how someone so clever as Giap and Minh could be so f-ing stupid so quickly.

There is an entire world of difference between getting criminal convictions in open court, which was what would have been necessary in the case of every single member of the Panthers or Weathermen, and dealing with an enemy nation state. Domestically the Constitution is a massive shield defending against the overwhelming power of the state (Ayers walked because the FBI screwed the pooch). Internationally the shied is exactly what you can use to fight back against the other country.
 
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