Vietnam War / Domestic Policy Flashcards
(31 cards)
Background of the Vietnam War
Vietnam was owned by France, France lost it in 1940, Japan took over, Japan lost in 1945, France wants Vietnam back, Vietnam wants independence, the two fight, France loses at Dien Bien Phu
What was Dien Bien Phu?
French troops were surrounded without knowing and defeated.
What did Eisenhower do in the Vietnam War?
He was president during Dien Bien Phu, he attended the Geneva Accords.
What was JFK’s role in the Vietnam War?
Increased involvement, started the coup against Ngo Dinh Diem, gave money to South Vietnam to build, Diem pocketed the money.
Who was Ngo Dinh Diem
Anti-French and Anti-Communist dictator of the south, he persecuted Buddhists because he was Catholic, pocketed money from the U.S, assassinated by an unknown individual.
Who was Ho Chi Minh
Communist Dictator of the north, wanted to unite Vietnam under communism and his regime, “Ho Chi Minh trail”.
What was the Ho Chi Minh Trail?
A series of dirt paths and roads that were concealed, which the North Vietnamese troops used to ambush the South Vietnamese bases.
What was LBJ’s role in the Vietnam War?
He increased involvement, he was responsible for the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. He increased spending amounts and how many men he sent. He started the Paris Peace Accords
What was the Gulf of Tonkin Incident?
A North Vietnamese ship allegedly sank a U.S destroyer, the U.S responded with the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.
What was the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution?
In response to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, the U.S passed the GoT Resolution, which increased American involvement, spending, and costs.
What was the Tet Offensive?
It was a series of coordinated attacks by the North against the South that gave them a huge advantage, starting on the Chinese New Year of Tet.
What was Agent Orange?
An herbicide that completely killed plants in Vietnam, effects are still being felt.
What was Nixon’s role?
He reformed the draft, was the president during the end of the Paris Peace Accords. His policy was peace with honor
What was Operation Rolling Thunder?
Intense sustained carpet bombing of North Vietnam. Helped destroy forests and reveal hiding spots. 1965-1968.
What was Peace With Honor?
Gradual withdrawal from Vietnam without appearing cowardly or defeated. Draft reforms and more bombing.
What countries were in French Indo-China?
Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam
What was Truman’s foreign policy, political party, and years in office? Describe some things he did.
1945-1952, Democrat, Containment of Communism. Potsdam, 1st A-Bomb, Truman Doctrin, Berlin and Germany, NATO, Loss of China, Korean War
What was Eisenhower’s foreign policy, political party, and years in office?
1953-1961, Republican, Brinksmanship (pushing someone to the brink of destruction) and Massive Retaliation (1 man dies, 100 killed). D-Day, Ended Korean War, Nuclear Missiles, Sputnik and Vanguard, supported France during Vietnam War, Geneva Accords, Domino Theory
What caused major U.S. protests and the Cambodian Civil War?
U.S. bombing Cambodia / Operation Rolling Thunder
What was JFK’s foreign policy, political party, and years in office?
1961-1963, Democrat, Flexible Response (willing to respond in multiple ways). More nukes, peace corps, space race to moon, Berlin Wall, Cuba crisis
What was LBJ’s foreign policy, political party, and years in office?
1963-1969, Democrat, Flexible Response. Gulf of Tonkin, Commitment of troops, first man on the moon, CIA-sponsored coups in Latin America.
What happened to LBJ’s administration after the Tet offensive?
The Credibility Gap
What was the Credibility Gap?
Nobody trusted LBJ’s remarks about the war due to him lying about everything being fine after Tet offensive.
What was Nixon’s foreign policy, political party, and years in office?
1969-1974, Republican, Peace with Honor (leave the fight without looking weak). Vietnamization, Vietnam expanded to Laos and Cambodia, Salt with USSR.
