Ch. 20 : The Vietnam War

Ho Chi Minh

(1890-1969) leader of the Communist Party in Indochina after WWII; led Vietnamese against the French, then North Vietnamese against the United States in the Vietnam War

domino theory

the political theory that if one nation comes under Communist control then neighboring nations will also come under Communist control

Vietcong

the guerrilla soldiers of the Communist faction in South Vietnam, also know as the National Liberation Front

Tonkin Gulf Resolution

a resolution adopted by Congress in 1964, giving the president broad powers to wage war in Vietnam

William Westmoreland

American General who commanded American military operations in the Vietnam War at its peak from 1964 to 1968

dove

someone who prefers negotiations to armed conflict in the conduct of foreign relations

hawk

person who advocates immediate firm action, including the use of force, to resolve international crises

Tet Offensive

a massive surprise attack by the Vietcong on South Vietnamese towns and cities in early 1968.

Vietnamization

President Richard Nixons strategy for ending U.S involvement in the vietnam war, involving a gradual withdrawl of American troops and replacement of them with South Vietnamese forces

Containment

After World War II, the U.S. policy of securing the peace by trying to contain communism to keep it from expanding.

Guerilla Warfare

Fighting by small, independent bands using hit-and-run tactics.

Hanoi

Capitol of North Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh Trail

Supply route used to send supplies from North Vietnam to communist fighters in the South.

Draft

The selection of persons for a particular compulsory assignment; a system of selecting persons to serve in the military.

Deferment

The postponement of a person's induction into military service for reasons such as health or occupation.

Lyndon Johnson

President of the U.S. who sent the first American combat soldiers to South Vietnam, eventually escalating troop levels to over 500,000 soldiers.

Richard Nixon

American president who began the process of Vietnamization and withdrew American troops from Vietnam.

John F. Kennedy

American president who sent 16,000 military advisors to South Vietnam

Saigon

capital of South Vietnam

conscientious objector

one who opposes war for moral or religious reasons