Vietnam era Flashcards
(45 cards)
Who was Ho Chi Minh?
Vietnamese communist revolutionary; founder and first president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam from 1945 until his death in 1969.
What is the Vietminh?
Common and abbreviated name of the League for Independence of Vietnam; communist-led national independence coalition that led the struggle for Vietnamese freedom against France.
What is the Domino Theory?
Changes in the political structure of one country tend to spread to neighboring countries in a domino effect.
What was Dien Bien Phu?
Decisive engagement in the First Indochina War (1946–54) between French and Viet Minh forces for control of a small mountain outpost.
What were Strategic Hamlets?
Implemented by South Vietnam government to isolate the rural population from contact with the National Liberation Front (NLF), or Viet Cong.
Who was Robert McNamara?
U.S. Secretary of Defense from 1961 to 1968; played a significant role in escalating U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.
What were the Geneva Accords?
1954 agreements that ended the First Indochina War, divided Vietnam into North and South, and called for elections within two years.
Who was Ngo Dinh Diem?
Elected President of an independent South Vietnam and served until his assassination in 1963.
What was the National Liberation Front (Vietcong)?
Founded in 1960 to overthrow the government of South Vietnam; an extension of the North Vietnamese state.
What does ARVN stand for?
The Army of the Republic of Vietnam; main fighting force of South Vietnam during the war.
What is guerilla warfare?
A military tactic involving small, independent groups using surprise and sabotage against larger forces.
Who was Henry Kissinger?
American diplomat and political scientist; U.S. Secretary under Nixon and Ford, favored ending the Vietnam War with minimal damage.
What was My Lai?
US war crime in 1968 involving the mass murder of unarmed civilians in a village in South Vietnam.
What was the Tonkin Gulf Resolution?
Result of the Tonkin Gulf Incident; gave Johnson the power to use any force necessary against North Vietnam.
What were the USS Maddox & Turner Joy?
Two US ships involved in the Tonkin Gulf Incident in 1964.
What is the Credibility Gap?
Describes public skepticism about Johnson administration’s statements and policies regarding the Vietnam War.
What was Operation Rolling Thunder?
1965 systematic bombing campaign against North Vietnam by the US Air Force; aimed to boost morale and stop NV aggression.
What was the Ho Chi Minh Trail?
An elaborate system of trails linking North Vietnam to allies in South Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.
What were Search and Destroy missions?
Designed to undermine Viet Cong capabilities; resulted in widespread destruction and civilian displacement.
What is Napalm?
A weaponized mixture of chemicals designed to create a highly flammable liquid; symbol of the war.
What is Agent Orange?
Herbicide used by the US military to clear vegetation and provide cover for enemy forces.
What does Pacification refer to?
The struggle during the Vietnam War to gain support of the rural population for the South Vietnamese government.
Who were the Doves?
Liberal individuals advocating for nonviolent solutions to disputes and reduced military involvement.
Who were the Hawks?
Conservative individuals supporting military involvement and aggressive foreign policies.
