Vietnam War Flashcards
(33 cards)
What is the Domino Theory?
. As stated publicly by President Eisenhower in 1954, it is the belief that if one area is overtaken by communism, nearby nations would follow, or fall like dominos.
What is guerilla warfare?
In the Vietnam War, the Viet Cong fighter were “the unseen enemy”; they were difficult to locate, operated in small groups; blended into the local populations.
What is the Ho Chi Minh Trail?
Trails and pathways from North Vietnam used to transport weapons, supplies, etc. to the Viet Cong fighters in S. Vietnam.
What was “Vietnamization”?
Nixon’s plan to train S. Vietnam’s military and government to continue the fight against Communist N. Vietnam without US involvement.
What is “the Silent Majority”?
The U.S. citizens who supported President Nixon’s policies but who were not politically vocal, outspoken, or active: considered by him to constitute a majority.
Explain the phrase “hawks and doves”.
“Hawks” are those who advocate an aggressive foreign policy based on strong military power.
“Doves” try to resolve international conflicts without the threat of force.
Why were the French in Indochina?
From the 1800s, the French military forces had control in Vietnam, ruling with French law and high taxes. This colonial rule made some Vietnamese wealthy but impoverished many more.
Why did Kennedy send people to Vietnam in 1961?
1961 - Pres. Kennedy sends more US “military advisors” to South Vietnam to help train South Vietnam’s soldiers to fight the communist Vietcong – 16,000 by 1963
Who sent the first American combat troops to Vietnam?
1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson
Who was Robert McNamara?
US Secretary of Defense under Johnson.
Who was the American commander in South Vietnam?
General William Westmoreland
What was the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution?
Issued by Congress after N. Vietnamese torpedo attack on US ship (USS Maddox) in Gulf of Tonkin; gives Pres. Johnson power to use military to respond to attacks on US forces.
What was Operation Rolling Thunder?
In February 1965, Johnson ordered the start of Operation Rolling Thunder, the first sustained bombing campaign against North Vietnam.
Who was Ho Chi Minh?
Communist leader in North Vietnam; formed the Vietminh to work for independence from France.
When did the French leave Vietnam?
1954 – French leave Vietnam; country is divided into North (communist) and South (democratic).
Who is Ngo Dinh Diem?
The leader of the South Vietnamese government. He lacked popular appeal even though he was supported by the US for his anticommunist views.
Who were the Vietcong?
residents of South Vietnam who opposed Diem and supported Ho Chi Minh and the communist forces of North Vietnam; fight against SV gov’t and later American forces.
What is a “draft dodger”?
a person who has avoided required military service. In the Vietnam era, more than 40,000 fled to Canada.
What were the draft deferments during the Vietnam War?
Education (college); Health conditions; family need
What were conscientious objectors?’
Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mennonites, the Amish, and Quakers are all considered Peace Churches who are opposed to any kind of military service. They were allowed to serve in other ways, however, but in a civilian capacity.
Who decided not to run in the 1968 presidential election?
Current president Lyndon Johnson, a Democrat.
Who were the Democratic candidates for president?
Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated on June 5, 1968 after winning the CA primary, Vice President Hubert Humphrey, and Eugene McCarthy. Humphrey was chosen to run on the Democratic ticket at the Chicago convention, which was marked by violent protests.
Who was the Republican candidate for President?
Richard M. Nixon
What was the Tet Offensive?
In January 1968, the Vietcong and the North Vietnamese staged a major offensive on the Vietnamese New Year. There were coordinated attacks all over South Vietnam, against 36 provincial capitals and 5 major cities, as well as the US embassy in Saigon. Many Americans were killed and the opinions about the war began to change.
