Key People in Vietnam War

President Eisenhower

Allied with the French and sent monetary aid for their fight against Ho Chi Minh but avoided sending US troops to prevent another Korean War.

Domino Theory

Eisenhower's justification for sending aid to France, suggesting that if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would follow.

President Kennedy

Initially supported Diem to avoid appearing weak on communism; later supported a military coup that led to Diem's assassination due to his repression of Buddhism.

President Johnson

Escalated US involvement in Vietnam, using the Gulf of Tonkin incident to gain Congressional approval for increased military action.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Allowed President Johnson to expand US involvement in Vietnam following a false claim of attacks against the US Destroyer Maddox.

President Nixon

Promoted 'Vietnamization' to withdraw US troops while supporting the South Vietnamese Army, emphasizing 'getting out of Vietnam with honor'.

Watergate Scandal

Nixon's attempt to cover up leaks involving the Pentagon Papers and subsequent political espionage that ultimately led to his resignation.

President Ford

Granted Nixon a full presidential pardon after Nixon's resignation due to the Watergate scandal.

Vietcong

A communist guerrilla group in South Vietnam that fought against Diem's government, supported by Ho Chi Minh.

Vietminh

The nationalist movement led by Ho Chi Minh that fought to free Vietnam from French colonial rule.

Ho Chi Minh

Leader of the Vietminh and later the North Vietnamese forces against the US-supported South Vietnam.

President Ngo Dinh Diem

The corrupt, anti-buddhist president of South Vietnam who canceled elections in 1956 and was assassinated in a coup in 1963.

William Westmoreland

The American general in Vietnam who advocated for increasing troop numbers and developed the attrition strategy.

Dean Rusk

Secretary of State under LBJ, involved in misleading Congress for the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

Robert McNamara

Secretary of Defense under LBJ, helped to mislead Congress regarding the Gulf of Tonkin incident.

Hubert Humphrey

LBJ's Vice President, narrowly lost to Nixon in the 1968 Presidential election after winning the Democratic nomination.

Robert Kennedy

Senator and presidential candidate assassinated in 1968, he eventually opposed US involvement in Vietnam.

Eugene McCarthy

Challenged Robert Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey in the 1968 election, moving away from LBJ's policies.

Hardhats

Part of the Silent Majority, consisting of blue-collar workers who held pro-war rallies and attacked student protesters.