Vietnam War Flashcards
(29 cards)
Ho Chi Minh and Le Duan
Leaders of the communist movement
Le Duan took over leadership after Ho Chi Minh’s death.
What is the Domino Theory?
If Vietnam falls to communism, all the other countries will as well.
What happened at Dien Bien Phu?
French commander ordered forces in DBP; guerilla warfare was employed to take the town, which interfered with the Viet Minh’s supplies.
What were the Geneva Accords?
Negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, that divided Vietnam along the 17th parallel and recognized Cambodia’s independence.
What does VC stand for in the context of Vietnam?
Vietcong - communists who were powerful.
What were Strategic Hamlets?
South Vietnamese initiative to counter the Vietcong with the US, which peasants hated.
What was the Buddhist uprising?
Buddhists protested the banning of their flags, leading to violence and the eventual overthrow of Diem.
What led to Diem’s overthrow?
Discrimination against Buddhism and violent protests.
What was the Gulf of Tonkin incident?
LBJ claimed that North Vietnam fired at the US Maddox; later evidence suggested the US may have fired first.
What were Search and Destroy missions?
US troops sought out enemy troops to bomb and destroy them, damaging landscapes to limit Vietcong hiding.
What was the Ho Chi Minh Trail?
A supply route used by North Vietnam to provide arms and leadership to the Vietcong.
What is the significance of the Ia Drang Valley?
First major battle between US forces and North Vietnamese Army.
What were napalm and Agent Orange?
Chemical weapons used by the US during the Vietnam War.
What does the term ‘Credibility gap’ refer to?
The disparity between what the US government was saying and the actual truth.
What is guerilla warfare?
A form of irregular warfare where combatants use civilian disguises.
What were Teach-ins?
Meetings held at colleges discussing opposition to the Vietnam War.
What was the public reaction to the draft?
Predominantly working-class draftees faced protests and rallies, with the slogan ‘old enough to fight, old enough to vote.’
Who were the Hawks and Doves?
Hawks supported continued fighting; Doves advocated for withdrawal.
What was the Tet Offensive?
A surprise attack by the Vietcong/North Vietnam on South Vietnamese cities and US airbases.
What was the significance of the 1968 Democratic National Convention?
It was marked by protests and political turmoil, reflecting the division within the party over the war.
What does Vietnamization refer to?
The gradual withdrawal of US soldiers while South Vietnam took over combat responsibilities.
What was the My Lai Massacre?
A tragic event where US soldiers killed many civilians in My Lai, including women and children.
What was the purpose of the Invasion of Cambodia?
Nixon claimed it was to destroy Vietcong bases.
What are the Pentagon Papers?
Documents revealing that many opposed the Vietnam War despite official support.
